John Cena appeared on the stage at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood at Sunday’s 96th Academy Awards in a bit with host Jimmy Kimmel.
The WWE star-action film staple, 46, was summoned by Kimmel, who referenced the 50-year anniversary of a streaker named Robert Opel running onto the stage at the ceremony, interrupting late actor-presenter David Niven.
Kimmel, whose jokes about Robert Downey Jr. earlier in the evening landed flat, sought to summon the squared circle star onto the stage with the line, ‘Can you imagine if a nude man ran across the stage today?’
‘I said, can you imagine if – a nude man ran across the stage today? Wouldn’t that be crazy?
Cena backstage then said: ‘Psst! Psst, Jimmy! Come here.’
John Cena, 46, appeared on the stage at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood at Sunday’s 96th Academy Awards in a bit with host Jimmy Kimmel, 56
Kimmel said: ‘I can’t come there – do the thing! Excuse me for a second. What’s going on? You’re supposed to run across the stage’ as Cena said: ‘Yeah, I – changed my mind. I don’t want to do the streaker bit.’
‘I just don’t feel right about it. It’s an elegant event, you know, you should feel shame right now for suggesting such a tasteless …’
Kimmel said: ‘You wrestle naked, why not?’ as Cena said of his trademark ring attire: ‘I don’t wrestle naked, I wrestle in jorts!’
Cena walked sideways onto the stage with the envelope for Best Costume Design covering his genitals. He said, ‘Costumes – they are so important – maybe the most important thing there is.’
He acknowledged that he was unable to open the envelope, at which point Kimmel took over.
Cena – who defended embattled former WWE boss Vince McMahon earlier this month – later covered up with a gold toga to conclude the presentation.
Kimmel earlier in the evening roasted Robert Downey Jr’s manhood and past drug use in his bombshell opening monologue. The host, returning for the fourth time, left the A-listers grinning and cringing in equal measure as he took to the stage.
Downey Jr. 58, who won Best Supporting Actor for Oppenheimer, was stony-faced as Kimmel made a crass joke at the start of the ceremony – referring to his past addictions.
Oscars 2024 winners: AT A GLANCE
Best Picture: Oppenheimer
Best Actress: Emma Stone – Poor Things
Best Actor: Cillian Murphy – Oppenheimer
Best Director: Christopher Nolan – Oppenheimer
Supporting Actress: Da’Vine Joy Randolph – The Holdovers
Supporting Actor: Robert Downey Jr. – Oppenheimer
Original Song: Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell – What Was I Made For? from Barbie
Seen left to right: Actor In A Supporting Role – Robert Downey Jr. (Oppenheimer), Actress In A Supporting Role – Da’Vine Joy Randolph (The Holdovers ), Actress In A Leading Role – Emma Stone (Poor Things), and Actor In A Leading Role – Cillian Murphy (Oppenheimer)
Original Score – Ludwig Göransson – Oppenheimer
Cinematography: Hoyte van Hoytema – Oppenheimer
Achievement in Film Editing: Jennifer Lame – Oppenheimer
Production Design: James Price and Shona Heath; Set Decoration: Zsuzsa Mihale – Poor Things
Make-up and Hairstyling: Nadia Stacey, Mark Coulier and Josh Weston – Poor Things
Achievement in Costume Design: Holly Waddington – Poor Things
Original Screenplay: Justine Triet and Arthur Harari – Anatomy Of A Fall
Adapted Screenplay: Cord Jefferson – American Fiction
International Feature Film – The Zone of Interest from United Kingdom
The WWE star-action film staple was summoned by Kimmel, who referenced the 50-year anniversary of a streaker running onto the stage at the ceremony , interrupting late actor-presenter David Niven
Cena told Kimmel, ‘Yeah, I – changed my mind. I don’t want to do the streaker bit’
The two exchanged words as Cena got very shy when the task at hand was in front of him
Cena walked sideways onto the stage with the envelope for Best Costume Design covering his genitals
The sports entertainment superstar played it like he was overwhelmed with the exposing segment
He said, ‘Costumes – they are so important – maybe the most important thing there is’
Cena later covered up with a Wrestlemania 9-worthy gold toga to conclude the presentation
Poor Things costume designer Holly Waddington accepted the statuette from Cena
He said: ‘And Robert Downey Jr., one of the highest points of his career. But Robert has been’ – as RDJ pointed at his face, leading Kimmel to add: ‘Was that too on the nose or a drug motion you made?
‘But look at him, he’s so handsome, so talented, he’s won every award there is to win. Is that an acceptance speech in your pocket or do you just have a very rectangular penis?’
The joke fell flat as RDJ looked somber while staring at the camera while fans slammed Kimmel for his ‘bottom of the barrel’ jokes about substance abuse.
Downey Jr. had previously spent time behind bars in 1999 after a long period of substance abuse which stifled his career.
The 96th Academy Awards honored the best films of 2023 – with the glittering ceremony held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. The most hotly anticipated movies of the past year – Barbie and Oppenheimer – lead the nominations.
Oppenheimer has bagged 13 nods, including best picture and best actor for Cillian Murphy – who is favorite to win the major category after scooping a BAFTA, a Golden Globe and SAG award for his role as physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer.
The impressive total – which also includes best supporting actor and actress for Robert Downey Jr. and Emily Blunt, as well as best director for Christopher Nolan – is just one nomination short of the all-time record set by Titanic in 1998.
Last year’s other smash hit movie – Barbie – was nominated for eight awards, but also fell victim to notable snubs from the Academy.
Kimmel roasted panned Madame Web, Barbie’s Oscars snubs and Robert Downey Jr. in his bombshell opening monologue on at the 2024 Oscars on Sunday
Downey Jr., 58, who won Best Supporting Actor for Oppenheimer was stony-faced as Kimmel made a crass joke at the start of the ceremony
The joke fell flat as RDJ looked somber while staring at the camera alongside wife Susan
The resilient film star had the last laugh as he collected his first Oscar for Oppenheimer
Its star Margot Robbie was not nominated for best actress, while Greta Gerwig was not nominated for best director.
Another surprise saw America Ferrera nominated for best supporting actress over her role in Barbie, with pundits saying her character’s impassioned speech on feminism had sealed the deal.
Barbie’s other nominations include best picture, best supporting actor for Ryan Gosling and two nods for best song – including Gosling’s famed ‘I’m Just Ken.’
The second most-nominated movie was Poor Things, a graphic art house movie starring Emma Stone that has wowed critics but so-far failed to set the box office alight.
Stone plays a sex-crazed young woman, with her performance wowing critics. She previously won best actress in 2017 for her performance in La La Land.
For best actor in leading role Bradley Cooper and Cillian Murphy are set to duke it out for the award. Colman Domingo, Paul Giamatti and Jeffrey Wright received nominations as well.
Leonardo DiCaprio was not recognized for his acting on Killers Of The Flower Moon.
Yorgos Lanthimos’ Poor Things took home 11 Oscar nominations and Killers of the Flower Moon landed 10.
Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer was nominated for best director and a host of other awards
What Was I Made For and I’m Just Ken from Barbie received their expected nominations for best original song
Lily Gladstone is the first Native American nominated for best actress, for her performance in Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon
Annette Bening, Lily Gladstone, Sandra Huller, Carey Mulligan and Emma Stone have been nominated for best actress in a leading role.
Gladstone is the first Native American nominated for best actress, for her performance in Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon – and is the favorite in the category thanks to her wins at the Golden Globes and SAG Awards,
What Was I Made For by Billie Eilish and I’m Just Ken performed by Ryan Gosling from Barbie received their expected nominations for best original song.
Sterling K. Brown, Robert De Niro, Robert Downey Jr., Ryan Gosling and Mark Ruffalo received nominations for best actor in a supporting role.
Emily Blunt, Danielle Brooks, America Ferrera, Jodie Foster and Da’Vine Joy Randolph received nominations for best actress in a supporting role.
Joy already has Golden Globe, Bafta, Critics Choice and Screen Actors Guild awards and is favorite for an Oscar for her performance as a bereaved cook in The Holdovers.
Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon and Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer were nominated for best directing, snubbing Greta Gerwig’s Barbie.
Gerwig was nominated for best director in 2018 for her solo directorial debut, Lady Bird. Only three women have won Oscars for best director – Kathryn Bigelow, Chloe Zhao and Jane Campion.
Da’Vine Joy Randolph was nominated for best actress in a supporting role for her part in The Holdovers
Emma Stone and Mark Ruffalo were both nominated for their roles in Poor Things
Bradley Cooper was nominated for best actor, but was snubbed of a directing nod for Maestro
Though Nolan is regarded as the big-budget auteur of his era, he’s never won an Academy Award, nor have any of his films won best picture.
Bradley Cooper was not nominated for directing Maestro but he was recognized for his acting in that bio movie.
American Fiction, Anatomy of a Fall, Barbie, The Holdovers, Killers of the Flower Moon, Maestro, Oppenheimer, Past Lives, Poor Things and The Zone of Interest landed best picture nominations.
The 96th Academy Awards will be held on March 10 at 7 pm ET/4pm PT live on ABC, hosted for a fourth time by Jimmy Kimmel.
Oscar winners 2024 full list – see who received trophies for this year’s Academy Awards
Best Picture
American Fiction
Anatomy of a Fall
Barbie
The Holdovers
Killers of the Flower Moon
Maestro
Oppenheimer – WINNER
Past Lives
Poor Things
The Zone of Interest
Oppenheimer was the biggest winner of the night with seven including top honor Best Picture; Emma Thomas, Christopher Nolan, and Charles Roven are seen
Best Director
Justine Triet, Anatomy of a Fall
Martin Scorsese, Killers of the Flower Moon
Christopher Nolan, Oppenheimer – WINNER
Yorgos Lanthimos, Poor Things
Jonathan Glazer, The Zone of Interest
Actress in a Leading Role
Annette Bening, Nyad
Lily Gladstone, Killers of the Flower Moon
Sandra Huller, Anatomy of a Fall
Carey Mulligan, Maestro
Emma Stone, Poor Things – WINNER
Emma Stone earned a shock win in the Actress in a Leading Role category for Poor Things
Actor in a Leading Role
Bradley Cooper, Maestro
Colman Domingo, Rustin
Paul Giamatti, The Holdovers
Cillian Murphy, Oppenheimer – WINNER
Jeffrey Wright, American Fiction
Actress in a Supporting Role
Emily Blunt, Oppenheimer
Danielle Brooks, The Color Purple
America Ferrera, Barbie
Jodie Foster, Nyad
Da’Vine Joy Randolph, The Holdovers – WINER
Da’Vine Joy Randolph triumphed in the Actress in a Supporting Role category for The Holdovers
Actor in a Supporting Role
Sterling K. Brown, American Fiction
Robert De Niro, Killers of the Flower Moon
Robert Downey Jr., Oppenheimer – WINNER
Ryan Gosling, Barbie
Mark Ruffalo, Poor Things
Animated Feature Film
The Boy and the Heron – WINNER
Elemental
Nimona
Robot Dreams
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
Cinematography
El Conde
Killers of the Flower Moon
Maestro
Oppenheimer, Hoyte van Hoytema – WINNER
Poor Things
Original Screenplay
Anatomy of a Fall, Justine Triet and Arthur Harari – WINNER
The Holdovers, David Hemingson
Maestro, Bradley Cooper and Josh Singer
May December, Samy Burch (Story b Samy Burch & Alex Mechanik)
Past Lives, Celine Song
Adapted Screenplay
American Fiction, Cord Jefferson – WINNER
Barbie, Greta Gerwig & Noah Baumbach
Oppenheimer, Christopher Nolan
Poor Things, Tony McNamara
The Zone of Interest, Jonathan Glazer
Cord Jefferson won Adapted Screenplay for American Fiction
Achievement in Production Design
Barbie
Killers of the Flower Moon
Napoleon
Oppenheimer
Poor Things, Production Design: James Price and Shona Heath; Set Decoration: Zsuzsa Mihalek – WINNER
Achievement in Sound
The Creator
Maestro
Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One
Oppenheimer
The Zone of Interest, Tarn Willers and Johnnie Burn – WINNER
Original Song
‘The Fire Inside’ from Flamin’ Hot
‘I’m Just Ken’ from Barbie
‘It Never Went Away’ from American Symphony
‘Wahzhazhe (A Song for My People)’ from Killers of the Flower Moon
‘What Was I Made For?’ from Barbie, Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell – WINNERS
Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell earned Original Song for Barbie’s What Was I Made For?
Original Score
American Fiction
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny
Killers of the Flower Moon
Oppenheimer, Ludwig Göransson – WINNER
Poor Things
Live Action Short Film
The After
Invincible
Knight of Fortune
Red, White and Blue
The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar, Wes Anderson and Steven Rales – WINNER
Animated Short Film
Letter to a Pig
95 Senses
Our Uniform
Pachyderme
WAR IS OVER! Inspired by the Music of John and Yoko – WINNER
WAR IS OVER! Inspired by the Music of John and Yoko won Animated Short Film; Dave Mullins and Brad Booker pictured
Documentary Feature Film
Bobi Wine: The People’s President
The Eternal Memory
Four Daughters
To Kill a Tiger
20 Days in Mariupol – WINNER
Documentary Short Film
The ABCs of Book Banning
The Barber of Little Rock
Island in Between
The Last Repair Shop – WINNER
Nǎi Nai and Wài Pó
International Feature Film
Io Capitano, Italy
Perfect Days, Japan
Society of the Snow, Spain
The Teachers’ Lounge, Germany
The Zone of Interest, United Kingdom – WINNER
The Zone Of Interest took home two Oscars including International Feature Film; Jonathan Glazer and James Wilson are pictured
Makeup and Hairstyling
Golda
Maestro
Oppenheimer
Poor Things, Nadia Stacey, Mark Coulier and Josh Weston – WINNER
Society of the Snow
Achievement in Costume Design
Barbie
Killers of the Flower Moon
Napoleon
Oppenheimer
Poor Things, Holly Waddington – WINNER
Achievement in Film Editing
Anatomy of a Fall
The Holdovers
Killers of the Flower Moon
Oppenheimer, Jennifer Lame – WINNER
Poor Things
Visual Effects
The Creator
Godzilla Minus One, Takashi Yamazaki, Kiyoko Shibuya, Masaki Takahashi and Tatsuji Nojima – WINNER
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One
Napoleon
Godzilla Minus One won the Visual Effects award as Masaki Takahashi, Takashi Yamazaki, Kiyoko Shibuya and Tatsuji Nojima are pictured