The Astor family dates back to the early 1700s when the original John Jacob Astor (pictured) came to the Americas from a small village in Germany to make a name for himself.

He started making money in the fur-trading businesses, but his real fortune began when he entered the world of real estate, Biography reported.

One of his first big purchases was a plot of land in the middle of Manhattan, modern-day Times Square. Quickly, Astor bought land all around Manhattan, becoming one of the richest men in the world and creating a dynasty. 

When John Jacob Astor IV was born to William Astor and Caroline Webster Schermerhorn in 1864, the Astor name was already well-respected in high society, and the family's fortune was one of the world's largest. 

The New Netherland Institute reported he first attended St. Paul's School in Concord and then went on to Harvard University, but there is no official record of him graduating from the college.

After schooling, Astor went abroad for a few years before returning to New York to take up the family business: real estate. 

In 1893, William Waldorf Astor built the Waldorf Hotel on the corner of Fifth Avenue and 33rd Street.

Reportedly, he built the hotel to spite his cousin, John Jacob Astor IV. In retaliation, Astor built a competing hotel in 1897 on the adjacent corner and named it the Astoria Hotel.

Architectural Digest reported that when the cousins were finally convinced that joining both hotels would be a smart business decision, a 300-foot marble corridor was built between them. The famous Waldorf-Astoria Hotel was born. 

For the next few decades, the hotel became a symbol of luxury, wealth, and class in New York. It was considered one of the best hotels in the country and even in the world. 

The Waldorf-Astoria Hotel closed in 1928 and was demolished, making room for the Empire State Building. The new Waldorf-Astoria Hotel was built farther uptown in 1931, long after Astor's death.

In 1904, Astor opened the St. Regis Hotel, which The New York Times called "the finest hotel in America" at the time.

The St. Regis Hotel said that Astor aimed to make the hotel technologically advanced and ensured that each room had a telephone, making the hotel's rooms as practical as they were glamorous.

Some historians call the hotel Astor's "greatest achievement," according to Biography.

In 1894, Astor published his first and only science-fiction novel, "Journey in Other Worlds."

"A 'Journey in Other Worlds' races far ahead of the nineteenth century to imagine what life would be like in the year 2000," the Amazon synopsis reads.

"At the beginning of the twenty-first century, Earth is effectively a corporate technocracy, with big businesses using incredible advances in science to improve life on the planet as a whole," it continues. "Seeking other planets habitable for the growing human population, the spaceship Callisto, powered by an antigravitational force known as apergy, embarks on a momentous tour of the solar system."

In 1898, he patented a bicycle brake, invented a vibratory disintegrator (used to generate gas from peat), and created a pneumatic road-improver. He also helped invent a turbine engine. 

Ava Lowle Willing and Astor had two children together, Vincent and Alice.

Although they seemed like the perfect, upper-class family, the marriage was largely unhappy.

The couple got divorced in 1909, setting Astor up for one of the family's biggest scandals. 

When Astor and Madeleine Talmage Force married in 1911, it became a scandal — at the time, divorce was rare and remarrying was even more so.

The controversy over their relationship even made its way onto screens decades later. In the 1997 Oscar-winning movie "Titanic," Rose points out Astor and his pregnant wife to Jack. 

"His little wifey there, Madeleine, is my age and in delicate condition. See how she's trying to hide it? Quite the scandal," she says.

At the time, Astor was one of the world's richest men, and he certainly was the wealthiest aboard the Titanic.

CNBC reported that he had a fortune worth between $90 and $150 million when he boarded the fateful ship. Today, when adjusted for inflation, he would be worth between $2.9 and $4.9 billion.

Biography reported that Astor was among the first few people who knew the ship was sinking.

He woke his sleeping, pregnant wife and told her to get dressed in her warmest clothes. He then put all of the couple's jewelry on her, took her to the deck, and placed her in a lifeboat.

She clung to her husband and wanted to stay with him, but he reportedly said, "The sea is calm. You'll be alright. You're in good hands. I'll see you in the morning."

The New York Times reported that Astor was last seen smoking a cigarette on the deck. He was wearing a dinner suit and holding a personalized pocket watch.

Astor was among the 306 bodies found by the crew of the Mackay-Bennett in the weeks after the tragedy, according to the Nova Scotia Archives, but only one of 59 bodies that were claimed by victims' relatives and returned home. 

The initials sewn into his jacket reportedly identified him. The New York Times reported his pocket also contained a solid gold watch engraved with the initials JJA.

Many of the Titanic's victims were buried in a cemetery (pictured) in Halifax, but Astor's son, Vincent, traveled there to claim his father's body and bring it home to New York.

If Astor made it to the US, it's believed he would have made his and Madeleine's unborn child the heir to his fortune.

However, most of his money went to his first son, Vincent (pictured), from his first marriage.

John Jacob Astor VI received only a small portion of his father's fortune, but Vincent went on to donate a large sum of his father's money and became a philanthropist in New York City. 

As the most famous person to die in the tragedy, Astor's name and reputation have survived through the years.

In fact, he has been portrayed in several TV shows and movies. Most notably, Eric Braeden played Astor in "Titanic." 

Famous for its ribs, Dreamland Bar-B-Que has been satisfying folks in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, since 1958.

Celebrities even come to the restaurant to enjoy the food, including comedians Sean and Penn Teller, actor and singer Reba McEntire, and former president George W. Bush, who ordered some of the restaurant's famous ribs to-go to eat aboard Air Force One, The Tuscaloosa News reported. 

Located in Anchorage, Alaska, Snow City Cafe is known around town as a popular brunch restaurant specializing in egg sandwiches and pancakes.

The establishment made a name for itself in 2015 when President Barack Obama came in to buy all of the cinnamon rolls for his staffers and even reporters following the president, NBC reported at the time.

Durant's Steakhouse is a fine-dining restaurant in Phoenix. The establishment is well-known for its steaks, red booths, and martinis.

The food has attracted notable diners through the years, including John Wayne, Joe DiMaggio, and Clark Gable, Visit Arizona reported. The steakhouse is also a popular eatery among Arizona's politicians. 

Located in Little Rock, Arkansas, Petit and Keet is an award-winning restaurant and bar. Locals have rated it the top restaurant in the state several times in Arkansas Times' readers choice issue. 

Craig's opened in 2011 in Los Angeles, and it specializes in Italian and American fare, including dishes like pizza, pasta, honey truffle chicken, and steak.

However, the restaurant is mostly known for its celebrity clientele. Kim Kardashian and "Vanderpump Rules" star Lala Kent have both been photographed at the restaurant, and Eater reported that Lizzo, Olivia Jade, and Nicky Hilton all dined there in 2022.

Biker Jim's Gourmet Dogs started as a hot dog truck, but now it's one of the most famous restaurants in Denver. The eatery offers hot dogs made of beef, elk, ostrich, wild boar, and even a combination of rabbit and rattlesnake. Cream cheese and caramelized onions are also popular toppings at this restaurant.

Biker Jim's unique offerings caught Anthony Bourdain's attention and were featured on his show "No Reservations."

Biker Jim's Gourmet Dogs also appeared on the Travel Channel's "Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern" and the Food Network's "The Best Thing I Ever Ate."

Mystic Pizza opened in 1973 in Mystic, Connecticut, but it wasn't until the late '80s that the pizzeria became famous worldwide after screenwriter Amy Jones visited the eatery and decided to set her movie in Mystic Pizza.

The movie, which starred Julia Roberts and was shot on location at the pizzeria, was released in 1988. "Mystic Pizza" became a national phenomenon, causing many tourists to flock to the pizza eatery to try "A Slice of Heaven."

Stoney's Pub in Wilmington, Delaware, is best known for its British pub fare like "Mum's poached or boiled fish," shrimp and chips, and roast beef dinner.

However, the eatery was put on the map when it appeared on Food Network's "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives."

During the show, host Guy Fieri said, "You're going to have to pry this out of my hands," when he took a bite of the restaurant's gravy-covered roast beef, the Food Network reported.

Seaspice sits on the Miami River offering customers sweeping views of the city.

The restaurant specializes in "gastro-classic dining" serving dishes like wagyu steak tartare, crab tempura, and sushi.

Seaspice often has over a two-hour wait and is a favorite among celebrities like Marc Anthony, the Miami Herald reported after he arrived by yacht to dine at the restaurant in 2016. 

In addition to a hearty lineup of steaks, STK specializes in seafood dishes like oysters, shrimp cocktail, and salmon, as well as other dishes like roasted rack of lamb and short ribs.

The restaurant has drawn celebrities over the years, including Selena Gomez and Denzel Washington.

Scarlett Johansson and Chris Evans were also spotted eating at STK while "Captain America 3" was being shot in Atlanta, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.

The Manago Hotel and Restaurant dates back to 1917, years before Hawaii officially became a state, and is popularly known as the oldest restaurant in Hawaii. 

Among the restaurant's most famous offerings are its family-style pork chops, which attract tourists from across the country. 

White Horse Saloon, which opened in 1908 and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979, is located in Spirit Lake, Idaho.

The restaurant is known as the oldest operating saloon in the state. While the restaurant is temporarily closed, the bar remains open.

Named by Time Out as "the most prominent Jewish deli in Chicago," Manny's Cafeteria and Delicatessen has been owned by four generations of the same family for 80 years, according to the restaurant's website. 

The restaurant serves classic deli fare like Reuben sandwiches and corned beef hash as well as unique dishes like tongue and mushrooms.

St. Elmo Steak House in Indianapolis is well known for its shrimp cocktails, steak, chicken, and seafood.

However, the eatery became known by many more people when it appeared on a 2013 episode of NBC's "Parks and Recreation," which is set in the fictional town of Pawnee, Indiana. 

Indianapolis Monthly reported that in the episode, Rob Lowe, Aziz Ansari, Adam Scott, and Nick Offerman go out for steaks at the establishment. 

Northwestern Steakhouse in Mason City, Iowa, opened over 100 years ago in 1920.

Today, the restaurant is still operating, serving steaks covered in olive oil, butter, and Greek seasoning. In 2017, Thrillist named Northwestern Steakhouse the "most iconic restaurant" in Iowa. 

Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que may be a former gas station, but it's now famous nationwide for its burnt-ends sandwich and ribs.

Founded by Jeff and Joy Stehney in 1990 after the couple attended a local barbecue contest, Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que now has three restaurants across the state, a private tasting room, and an event space. 

Located in North Corbin, Kentucky, the Harland Sanders Cafe and Museum is a popular tourist attraction for KFC enthusiasts and history lovers alike.

Colonel Harland Sanders, the founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken, operated the restaurant from 1940 to 1956. During this time, he developed his signature recipe for fried chicken, which is still used by the fast-food chain.

Visitors to the museum can examine historic memorabilia and exhibits related to KFC's history and snack on fried chicken. 

Situated inside a bright blue-and-white Victorian-style building in New Orleans' Garden District, Commander's Palace opened in 1893 and has been serving locals ever since.

Explore Louisiana reported that celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse worked as the iconic restaurant's head chef after a stint of restaurant jobs in France, New York, Boston, and Philadelphia.

He worked at Commander's Palace for eight years, during which time he perfected his signature Creole-influenced cooking style.

Open since the 1920s, The Lobster Shack at Two Lights is located on the shores of Cape Elizabeth. It serves lobster rolls and fried seafood by the basket all summer long.

The restaurant became even more well known when, Food Network reported, celebrity chef and TV personality Bobby Flay visited the eatery on his show "FoodNation," bringing the Lobster Shack into the national spotlight. 

Woodberry Kitchen in Baltimore is known for its American cuisine and farm-to-table philosophy.

In 2016, Michelle and Malia Obama were spotted dining in the restaurant. It is said to have many celebrity guests but the establishment has a policy that bars employees from disclosing any information, though the owners did reflect on serving Michelle Obama on the restaurant's 10th anniversary in 2017.

"She gives the best hugs," former server Amy Sherald, who also was commissioned by the National Portrait Gallery to paint a portrait of Michelle Obama, told Baltimore Magazine. "She walked in and I was thinking she would shake my hand, but she hugged me and the kids."

Many know Cheers in Boston as the setting for the hit '80s NBC sitcom of the same name. However, the restaurant was popular long before the show premiered.

According to the restaurant's website, Cheers was originally named the Bull and Finch Pub and opened in 1969 as a neighborhood spot for classic American grub and beers.

Today, it's a landmark in Boston, attracting tourists from all over to grab a pint in the place where everybody knows your name. 

Hack-Ma-Tack Inn was founded in 1894 as a private hunting and fishing lodge and was named the most iconic restaurant in Michigan by local news outlet MLive in 2019.

Matt's Bar in Minneapolis opened in 1954 and made a name for itself after creating the famous Jucy Lucy, the most famous local sandwich in the state. 

Staying true to its name, the Jucy Lucy is a burger filled with oozing, melted cheese.

The burger is so famous that it was even featured on the Travel Channel, appearing on shows like "Man Vs Food" and "Food Wars."

The Mayflower Cafe is a staple in Jackson, Mississippi, and has been open since 1935. The restaurant has been featured on the Food Network, as well as in the films "Ghosts of Mississippi" and "The Help."

After opening as a humble hamburger stand, the Mayflower Café has occupied the same street corner for over 80 years, the Clarion Ledger reported.

Gates BBQ in Kansas City, Missouri, opened in 1946 and specializes in pork ribs, barbecue sandwiches, and sides.

The joint's tomato-based secret sauce also helped make the restaurant an institution in Kansas City.

Lucca's in Helena, Montana, is a fine-dining restaurant that focuses on Italian cuisine.

The eatery serves Italian mainstays like baked ziti, spaghetti, risotto, and chicken. TripAdvisor has ranked it among the best eateries in the state, and Business Insider previously named Lucca's the best restaurant in Montana. 

"Lucca's cozy dining room — which holds a mere 15 tables — creates an intimate environment for guests to enjoy Chef Hyyppa's carefully crafted dishes," wrote Business Insider reporter Mary Hanbury. 

Big Mama's Kitchen in Omaha, Nebraska, specializes in comfort food, serving fried chicken and catfish.

Food Network considers the restaurant one of its "Top Places to Eat," and on "Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives," host Guy Fieri said his favorite was the pig-ear sandwich.

Mr Chow is a luxury restaurant inside Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas, and it's popular among celebrities.

Britney Spears had dinner there on New Year's Eve to ring in 2016, Eater reported, and Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez even held a party at the establishment before their split, Access reported.

The restaurant itself serves Asian cuisine and offers a performance with a champagne trolley.

Moxy in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, is known for its tapas menu, which offers guests pork belly bites, short rib crostini, and mussels.

Chef and owner Matt Louis helped put the eatery on the map after he became a semi-finalist for the James Beard Award, a top honor in the culinary world, for four years straight in 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018.

He has also been named as a nominee for Food and Wine's best new chef three times. 

Tops Diner in East Newark, New Jersey, opened in 1942 and has been serving its famous burgers, meatloaf, and lobster mac and cheese for decades.

In 2017, Time Out named Tops the best diner in the country, and back in 2015, Thrillist called the diner the "most iconic" restaurant in New Jersey.

El Pinto in Albuquerque, New Mexico, serves up huevos rancheros, enchiladas, and burritos.

USA Today named El Pinto one of the best restaurants and called it "a local favorite." It's also among Food Network's top places to eat.

Katz's Delicatessen in New York City is known for two things.

First, the pastrami sandwich is considered one of the best in the country. Second, it was also the setting for an iconic scene in the 1989 movie "When Harry Met Sally," starring Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal.

Today, the restaurant is a popular tourist attraction where people come to reenact the famous scene and chow down on some of the deli's classic offerings, from Reubens to matzah ball soup. 

Skylight Inn in Ayden, North Carolina, specializes in southern barbecue.

Food Network named the eatery one of its "Top 5" barbecue restaurants in the US, and says one of the best menu items is the chopped pork sandwich.

Red Pepper has been open for more than 50 years, with students at the University of North Dakota among its many clientele.

The most popular dish served is the everything grinder, which has salami, turkey, ham, and cheese on a roll. The taco burger is also popular at Red Pepper.

The Daily Meal has described the establishment as a "local landmark" and a "local legend," and Esquire named Red Pepper as one of the best late-night food spots in the country in 2012.

Red Steakhouse in Cleveland is well-known for its steak, pasta, and seafood.

The eatery even has the Kardashian stamp of approval. In an episode of "Keeping Up with the Kardashians," Kim and Kourtney dined at Red Steakhouse, Refinery 29 reported.

Rock Cafe in Stroud, Oklahoma, sits on the famous Route 66 and has been serving up sandwiches, hot dogs, burgers, and chili since 1939. "Betsy," the restaurant's grill, has been used continuously for over 75 years.

The grill has "seared more than 5 million burgers, chicken fried steaks, and much more" over the years, according to the restaurant's website. 

Food Network reported that Guy Fieri said he loved Rock Cafe's buffalo and alligator burgers while visiting the establishment on "Diners, Drive-ins, and Drives."

However, Rock Cafe has another major claim to fame. The restaurant claims that researchers from Pixar Animation Studios visited it in 2001 and then used it as inspiration for the movie "Cars." Today, there are homages to the movie throughout the restaurant. 

Recently opened in October 2022, Lilia Comedor in Portland was featured in the New York Times' list of the 50 best restaurants in the United States in 2023 and one of Oregon Live's best new restaurants in 2022.

Headed by chef Juan Gomez, Lilia Comedor's menu changes every day but features dishes like pork collar confit, diver scallops, and braised short-rib enmolada.

Established in 1918, Victor Cafe in Philadelphia specializes in Italian food, offering customers ravioli, risotto, and steak.

However, the restaurant isn't known just for its food. Victor Cafe's claim to fame is its appearances in the "Rocky" franchise, when the restaurant appeared in "Rocky Balboa" in 2006, according to the restaurant's website, and in its spinoff, "Creed." In the movies, the restaurant is called Adrian's.

Located in Narragansett, Rhode Island, Crazy Burger is famous for its hamburgers. Some notable burgers include the Mahi Mahi Taco Burger, the Poco Loco Vegan Burger, and the Luna-Sea Fish Burger.

Crazy Burger got national attention when Food Network's Guy Fieri visited the restaurant on "Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives," eating something called the "Whassupy Burger," which comes with sesame, wasabi, and fennel rub on a beef burger, topped with Brie cheese and onion rings on an ancient grain bun.

Henry's On The Market is the oldest restaurant in the state. According to its website, Henry's On The Market was one of the most popular restaurants to eat at from 1932 to 1960.

The restaurant has undergone various transformations over the years, but it remains a popular spot for live music and features a rooftop bar and dance lounge.

In South Dakota, you can famously see signs along the road for Wall Drug Store more than 1,000 miles before you're even near it. The road signs are a genius marketing strategy thought up by Dorothy Hustead in the 1930s to entice drivers along Route 16 to come to her drugstore, according to the store's website.

Today, the road signs still stand and Wall Drug Store includes a restaurant where tourists come from all over to try the donuts, ice cream, and famous beef sandwiches. 

Bluebird Cafe in Nashville is a restaurant and famous music venue. It opened in 1982 and serves minimal comfort foods, including chicken fingers and turkey club sandwiches.

However, the real draw is the music performances and the famous guests, which have included Johnny Cash, Taylor Swift, Jon Bon Jovi, Melissa Etheridge, and Garth Brooks. The ABC show "Nashville" was also filmed there in 2012. 

Established in 2009, Franklin Barbecue has been a staple in the Texas and Austin barbecue scenes for years and has even gained a reputation worldwide for its mouthwatering brisket and barbecue sides. 

Eater reported that Anthony Bourdain visited the spot for an episode of "No Reservations" in 2012, where he waited in line for over an hour. The barbecue was apparently well worth the wait since he called the brisket "earth-shatteringly good."

In 2011, Bon Appetit called Franklin the "best barbecue in the country," and Texas Monthly ranked the restaurant first on its list of "The Top 50 Barbecue Joints in Texas."

Franklin Barbecue owner Aaron Franklin is also one of the top names in barbecue. In 2015, he became the first chef specializing in barbecue to be awarded the James Beard Foundation Award for best chef in the Southwest.

Ruth's Diner in Salt Lake City allows guests to dine in railroad cars that were operating during the early 1900s. The restaurant focuses on brunch foods, serving cinnamon roll French toast, huevos rancheros, and deep-fried mac and cheese.

When "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives" host Guy Fieri visited the restaurant, he said he couldn't get enough of the fluffy biscuits. 

Located in Waterbury, Vermont, Prohibition Pig specializes in smoked meats and beer, but the Food Network says the real star on the menu is the mac and cheese.

Located in Virginia Beach, Beach Pub serves up seafood classics like crab cakes, shrimp, and fish-n-chips.

Their popular seafood dishes attracted Food Network host Guy Fieri in 2011. While there, he ate the oyster Rockefeller, baked rockfish, and fish hash, giving the pub national attention and fame. 

Before Canlis opened in the 1950s, founder Peter Canlis wanted to build the restaurant in downtown Seattle, but he couldn't afford it. Instead, he built his eatery outside the city and on the edge of a cliff.

The second-choice location seemed to pay off, because Canlis has been nominated for 21 James Beard Awards in its history.

The Greenbrier Resort's main dining room has been serving customers for over 100 years and has become a landmark in the state.

The fine-dining restaurant serves dishes like tuna crudo, beef tenderloin tartare, and curried carrot spaghetti.

Located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Mader's Restaurant has been open for over 100 years. It serves mostly German foods like wiener schnitzel, German potato salad, and Hungarian-style beef goulash.

However, throughout its long history, Mader's has served nearly 100 famous guests, including John F. Kennedy, Ronald Reagan, and Frank Sinatra, according to the restaurant's website.

Since its opening in 1862, Miners and Stockmen's has been a local favorite and is regarded as the oldest restaurant in the state.

The rustic appeal and history of this restaurant aren't the only draw, however. It also serves up classic favorites like steaks, salads, and decadent desserts.

Russell was an American Army veteran who served in World War II and lost both of his hands during the conflict. After he was discharged, Russell starred in 1946's "The Best Years of Our Lives," for which he won the 1947 Academy Award for best supporting actor and an honorary Oscar for being an inspiration to veterans returning home from war. 

He is the first and only actor to win two Oscars for the same role and was also reportedly the first Oscar recipient to sell their award.

The New York Times reported that Russell sold his award for $60,500 in 1992 in order to pay for a cataract operation for his second wife, Betty Marshalsea.

"I love the Oscar but I love my wife more," he told The New York Times. "Although I've had the Oscar longer."

Harold Russell died on January 29, 2002.

Before winning an Oscar for her role in the 1952 film "Come Back, Little Sheba," Booth already had two Tony awards, including one for playing the same role in the stage version of the film.

She was the first actress ever to win both a Tony and an Oscar for the same role. Booth died on October 16, 1992.

Andrews began her career on the stage, but crossed over to the big screen in 1964 after starring as the titular character in "Mary Poppins." Andrews brought the magical nanny to life with her singing ability and acting talents. 

The following year, she earned the best actress award at the Oscars.

"I know you Americans are famous for your hospitality, but this is really ridiculous," she joked in her acceptance speech.

By 1969, Streisand was already an accomplished stage performer, having earned two Tony nominations. In fact, she'd already brought her famous "Funny Girl" character, Fanny Price, to life on the stage. She then broke into Hollywood by playing the same role on the big screen in the movie adaptation of the musical. 

In a historic year, Streisand tied for best actress with Katharine Hepburn at the Academy Awards. During her acceptance speech, she famously looked at her Oscar and said, "Hello, gorgeous," a reference to a scene in "Funny Girl."

"It was lovely to receive an Academy Award, I must say," Streisand told Variety in 2018, reminiscing about her first win. 

In 1977, she won her second, for best original song for "Evergreen" in her adaptation of "A Star Is Born." 

O'Neal had no acting experience when she was cast opposite her father, Ryan O'Neal, in "Paper Moon," which was a huge hit. While she was nominated for an Oscar, her father wasn't, which she claims sparked resentment, The New York Times reported. She is still the youngest Academy Award winner in a competitive category.

When asked in a 2020 CBS Sunday Morning interview if she hoped to win another Oscar, O'Neal responded, "No. Because that's not why I'm in it. Would I like that? I guess. For me, the biggest achievement would be that I did the best audition that I could do, that I got the role that I really wanted, and that I'm self-supporting through my own contributions."

Hutton jumped into the spotlight in 1980 when he starred in "Ordinary People." He played Conrad, a teenager who returns home from a psychiatric facility in an attempt to reconnect with his distant mother and cold father. 

When accepting his Academy Award the following year for best supporting actor, Hutton thanked his own father.

After switching from gynecology to acting, Ngor was cast as Dith Pran, a Cambodian journalist, in 1984's "The Killing Fields." His performance earned him an Oscar, making him the first Asian person to win best supporting actor.

While his performance was highly praised by critics, Ngor didn't appear in any other Oscar-worthy films. His career was tragically cut short when he was shot dead by gang members in Los Angeles in 1996, the AP reported.

After losing her hearing at 18 months old, Matlin acted onstage for most of her childhood. In 1986, she starred in her first film, "Children of a Lesser God."

She played a deaf woman who works at a school for the deaf and falls in love with a man, played by William Hurt, who struggles to understand her. 

She became the first and only deaf actress to win an Oscar when she won in the best actress category in 1987. At 21, Matlin was also the youngest woman to earn an Oscar in the best actress category.

In 2022, Troy Katsur became the first deaf man to receive an Oscar, winning the best supporting actor award for "CODA."

"Looking back now, thinking about that moment in the lights, with my heart pounding, Oscar in my hand, all I can say is I am grateful and humbled — still to this day," Matlin wrote in Entertainment Weekly in 2012. "Next to marrying my husband and the birth of my children, it is one of the best days ever. Twenty-five years later, it still feels just like yesterday."

In 1993, Paquin took on her first-ever acting role in "The Piano." She played Flora, a young girl who acted as an interpreter for her mute mother when they were shipped to New Zealand in the mid-19th century. 

At 11 years old, Paquin nervously accepted her award for best supporting actress on the Oscars stage by just staring into the camera and laughing before thanking a few people. She became the second-youngest winner in the category — only Tatum O'Neal was younger.

Hot off the success of her short-lived "American Idol" run, Hudson took on her first acting gig opposite Beyoncé in "Dreamgirls." Hudson played Effie White, the lead singer in the 1960s girl group who keeps getting pushed aside.

Hudson's singing voice and acting chops earned her the best supporting actress award in 2007. In her acceptance speech, Hudson thanked Jennifer Holliday, who originated the role on Broadway. 

Lupita Nyong'o grew up in Kenya and then studied at the Yale School of Drama, but she landed her first major film role — which would lead to an Oscar — before she'd even graduated.

In 2013's "12 Years a Slave," she played Patsey, an enslaved person on a Louisiana cotton plantation. 

The following year, she won the best supporting actress Oscar and thanked the spirit of Patsey for guiding her through the filming process. 

"When I look down at this golden statue, may it remind me and every little child that no matter where you are from, your dreams are valid," she said in her acceptance speech.