30 Most Memorable Oscar Moments From The Last 30 Years

23. Nicolas Cage Wins Best Actor (1996)

Nic Cage Leaving Las Vegas
United Artists

Say what you will about Nicolas Cage's career these days, but the guy has an Academy Award to his name, one which he deservedly scooped in 1996 for his thermonuclear performance as alcoholic Ben Sanderson in Leaving Las Vegas.

Cage may pick some fairly, er, eccentric roles these days, but nobody can take away his gold statue, and for anyone who tried to argue that it was a fluke, he was nominated for Best Actor once again in 2003 for his brilliant work in Spike Jonze and Charlie Kauffman's Adaptation.

Laugh at Cage all you like for starring in a heap of straight-to-VOD dreck these days, but he's an Oscar winner no matter what.

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Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes). General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.