An Oscar stands as one of the highest accolades in film, celebrated by peers for exceptional artistry. Yet, when an artist passes away before receiving this honor, the award takes on a deeper, more emotional significance, with family or colleagues accepting on their behalf.

The first posthumous Oscar was awarded in 1940 to writer Sidney Howard for Best Adapted Screenplay for Gone With the Wind. Since then, over 60 individuals have earned nominations after death, with 16 securing wins in competitive categories. This year, producer Adam Somner, who died in 2024, could join this list with his nomination for Best Picture for One Battle After Another.

Explore the complete roster of Oscar winners honored posthumously.

Clark Gable as Rhett Butler and Vivien Leigh as Scarlett O'Hara in 'Gone With the Wind'. Everett Collection

Basil Sydney as a Reform Club member, Trevor Howard as Denis Fallentin, Robert Morley as Gauthier Ralph, David Niven as Phileas Fogg, and Ronald Squire as a Reform Club member in 'Around the World in 80 Days'. Everett Collection

The next posthumous Oscar winner emerged nearly two decades later, going to composer Victor Young for his score in 1956's Around the World in 80 Days, which also clinched Best Picture. Young, who died at 57, had 22 prior nominations, setting a record at the time for most nominations before a win.

Louis Jourdan as Gaston Lachaille and Leslie Caron as Gigi in 'Gigi'. Everett Collection

William A. Horning, a renowned art director, earned his first Oscar nomination for The Wizard of Oz (1939) with Cedric Gibbons. He was posthumously honored for his work on the lavish MGM musical Gigi (1958), a film that swept all nine of its nominated categories, a record later surpassed by The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King in 2003.

Charlton Heston as Judah Ben-Hur and Stephen Boyd as Messala in 'Ben-Hur'. Everett Collection

Horning holds the unique distinction of winning posthumous Oscars consecutively, following his Gigi win with a victory for the epic Ben-Hur (1959). In 1960, he was also nominated for his contribution to Alfred Hitchcock's classic North by Northwest.

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