The first performer to win lead acting honors for re-creating a role on screen which he or she had performed on stage was
George Arliss for DISRAELI*
Laurence Olivier for RICHARD III
Fredric March for DEATH OF A SALESMAN
Michael Redgrave for MOURNING BECOMES ELECTRA
Not only had Arliss portrayed Benjamin Disraeli on stage, he'd played the British prime minister in a silent film.
Before the 1943 (16th) Awards, supporting actors and actresses weren't given Oscar« statuettes, but
certificates of merit.
pewter cups.
plaques.*
medals.
The Supporting Actor and Actress categories were inaugurated at the 1936 (9th) Awards, but another seven years would go by before these "featured players" would get their golden boys.