This is why the Academy Award is called an 'Oscar'

published 18 February 2015

Have you ever watched the Academy Awards and wondered where the name "Oscar" comes from? Or when the statue was first designed? What about the story behind film reel that the golden man stands on? Today, the Academy partnered with IMDB to release a video answering these questions and more:

The video describes three different sources who claim to have nicknamed the statue. Sidney Skolsky, a Hollywood columnist, says he got tired of writing "the gold statue of the academy" and started using the name "Oscar" after an old vaudeville joke. Former Academy librarian and executive director Margaret Herick claims that she named it after her uncle, while Bette Davis claims that she came up with the name "Oscar" because the posterior of the statue reminded her of her husband when he got out of the shower.

Whoever you believe, it's a fascinating glimpse into the 87-year history of Hollywood's highest honor.