1981 Movies & Cinema Events — Verified Historical Highlights
1981 Movies & Cinema Events — Verified Historical Highlights | TakeMeBack.to
- 21 Jan Izabella Miko Birth: Izabella Miko, a Polish-born actress and model, is born. She would later become known for her work in film and entertainment.
- 01 Feb Birth of Joseph Gordon-Levitt: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, a prominent American actor known for roles in films like '500 Days of Summer' and 'Inception', was born in Los Angeles.
- 31 Mar 53rd Academy Awards Ceremony: The 53rd Academy Awards ceremony, honoring films released in 1980, was held on March 31, 1981, at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles. Originally scheduled for March 30, the event was postponed due to the attempted assassination of President Ronald Reagan. Hosted by Johnny Carson, the ceremony recognized achievements in 20 categories, with "Ordinary People" winning Best Picture and Best Director for Robert Redford. source: oscars.org
- 07 Apr Death of Norman Taurog: Norman Taurog, an accomplished American film director, passed away. He was a notable Hollywood director who won an Academy Award and directed numerous films across multiple decades, including works with Elvis Presley and Jerry Lewis.
- 08 Apr Taylor Kitsch born: Actor Taylor Kitsch was born on April 8, 1981, in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada. He gained fame for his roles in television series and films, including 'Friday Night Lights' and 'Lone Survivor.' His career has spanned various genres, making him a recognizable figure in Hollywood. source: imdb.com
- 17 Apr Premiere of 'Caveman' movie: The comedy film 'Caveman,' starring Ringo Starr and Barbara Bach, premiered on April 17, 1981. Directed by Carl Gottlieb, the film is set in prehistoric times and follows the humorous adventures of a group of cavemen. It combines elements of slapstick comedy with a unique setting, making it a notable entry in early 80s cinema. source: imdb.com
- 19 Apr Hayden Christensen born on April 19, 1981: Hayden Christensen, a Canadian actor best known for his role as Anakin Skywalker in the Star Wars prequel trilogy, was born on April 19, 1981. He gained fame in the early 2000s and has since appeared in various films and television series, earning critical acclaim for his performances. source: britannica.com
- 13 May Rebecka Liljeberg Birth: Rebecka Liljeberg, a Swedish actress, was born on May 13, 1981. She would go on to establish herself in the Swedish film and television industry.
- 21 May United Artists Sold to MGM: Transamerica Corporation agreed to sell United Artists to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer for $380 million, a transaction significantly influenced by the box office failure of the film 'Heaven's Gate'. source: Wikipedia (day-month pages)
- 07 Jun Larisa Oleynik Birth: Larisa Oleynik, a Ukrainian-born actress known for her roles in television and film, was born on this date. She gained prominence in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
- 09 Jun Birth of actress Natalie Portman: Natalie Portman, an acclaimed actress and filmmaker, was born on June 9, 1981, in Jerusalem, Israel. She gained fame for her roles in films such as 'Black Swan' and 'Star Wars.' Portman is also known for her activism and academic achievements. source: nytimes.com
- 12 Jun Raiders of the Lost Ark theatrical release date: "Raiders of the Lost Ark," directed by Steven Spielberg and produced by George Lucas, premiered in theaters on June 12, 1981. This film marked the beginning of the Indiana Jones franchise, becoming a significant cultural phenomenon and receiving critical acclaim for its action sequences and storytelling. source: imdb.com
- 19 Jun Superman II US theatrical release: Superman II premiered in the United States on June 1, 1981, at the National Theater in New York City. It opened nationwide on June 19, 1981, in 1,354 theaters, six months after its international release. The film achieved significant box office success, setting records for the highest-grossing opening weekend and the highest single-day box office earnings at that time. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 26 Jun For Your Eyes Only premieres in United States: The 12th James Bond film, 'For Your Eyes Only,' premiered in the United States on June 26, 1981, at approximately 1,100 cinemas. The film was released in the UK on June 24, 1981, and in the US on June 26, 1981. It grossed $54.8 million in the US and Canada, becoming the second highest-grossing Bond film at the time. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 10 Jul Disney releases 'The Fox and the Hound': Disney's animated film 'The Fox and the Hound' was released on July 10, 1981. The film tells the story of a fox and a hound who become friends despite their natural instincts, and it has since become a beloved classic. source: disney.com
- 11 Aug Larry Kramer hosts first AIDS fundraiser in New York City: On August 11, 1981, writer and film producer Larry Kramer hosted a gathering in his New York City apartment to address the emerging AIDS crisis. Dr. Alvin Friedman-Kien spoke to the group, leading to the collection of $6,635 for research into the disease. This event laid the foundation for the Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC), the first AIDS advocacy and support organization, which was officially established in January 1982. source: history.com
- 02 Sep 38th Venice Film Festival Golden Lion Award: The 38th Venice International Film Festival, held from September 2 to 12, 1981, awarded the Golden Lion to "Marianne and Juliane" ("Die Bleierne Zeit"), directed by Margarethe von Trotta. The film, set in 1970s West Germany, explores the lives of two sisters involved in left-wing activism. The Special Jury Prize was shared between "Sweet Dreams" by Nanni Moretti and "They Don't Wear Black Tie" by Leon Hirszman. The Silver Lion for Best First Work was awarded to "Do You Remember Dolly Bell?" by Emir Kusturica. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 09 Sep Julie Gonzalo Birth: Julie Gonzalo, a prominent Argentinian actress known for her roles in television and film, was born on this date.
- 03 Oct Amanda Walsh Birth: Amanda Walsh, a talented Canadian actress, was born. She has appeared in various television shows and films, contributing to the Canadian entertainment industry.
- 24 Oct Mallika Sherawat birth: Mallika Sherawat, an Indian actress known for her roles in Bollywood films, was born on October 24, 1981. She gained fame for her performances and has been a prominent figure in Indian cinema. source: imdb.com
- 29 Nov Tragic death of actress Natalie Wood ruled an accidental drowning: Natalie Wood, a prominent actress known for her roles in films like 'West Side Story' and 'Rebel Without a Cause,' drowned on November 29, 1981, near Santa Catalina Island, California. Her death was initially ruled an accidental drowning, but it has been the subject of speculation and investigation over the years, including renewed interest in 2011 when new details emerged about the circumstances surrounding her death. source: nytimes.com
- 30 Nov John Holmes arrested on fugitive charges: On November 30, 1981, adult film actor John Holmes was arrested on fugitive charges. source: latimes.com
- 09 Dec Diya Mirza was born on December 9, 1981: Diya Mirza, an Indian actress and model, was born on December 9, 1981, in Hyderabad, India. She gained fame for her roles in various Bollywood films and has also been involved in environmental activism. Mirza has received several awards for her performances and is known for her contributions to social causes. source: imdb.com
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