The winner takes all
The dark comedy "Birdman" held up a mirror to Hollywood and its struggling actors and in return received the film industry's highest recognition; the Academy Award for best picture.
Director Alejandro G. Inarritu's story of a washed-up, former superhero actor attempting an improbable comeback on Broadway won four Oscars in its nine nominations, including best director, the second consecutive win in that category for a Mexican filmmaker.
Acclaimed for looking like one continuous shot through a Broadway theater and mixing reality with fantasy, the movie, Inarritu said, came from learning to be fearless in filmmaking.
Singer Lady Gaga arrives as her dress is attended to by assistants. She received a standing ovation for her medley of tunes from "The Sound of Music" before introducing that film's star, Julie Andrews.
Actresses Jennifer Aniston and Emma Stone embrace on the red carpet. Light metallic tones were popular on the night. Aniston donned a blush beaded Versace. Stone opted for a shimmering light green Elie Saab to offset her red hair.
Actors David Oyelowo and Michael Keaton talk. Keaton missed out on the best actor award while Oyelowo was not nominated for his portrayal of U.S. civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. in “Selma”, causing controversy.
Singer Jennifer Lopez wears a dress by Elie Saab as she arrives on the red carpet. Lopez co-presented the The Achievement in Costume Design which was won by The Grand Budapest Hotel.
Oscars host Neil Patrick Harris (right) adjusts the tie of his husband David Burtka as they arrive on the red carpet.
Neil Patrick Harris on stage in his underwear, referencing a scene from best picture winner "Birdman" while hosting the 87th Academy Awards.
Actor Eddie Redmayne reacts as he accepts the Oscar for best actor for his role in "The Theory of Everything” in which he portrayed physicist Stephen Hawking throughout various stages of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Director Alejandro Inarritu accepts the Oscar for best picture for his film "Birdman or (The Unexpected Virture of Ignorance)” alongside the cast and crew.
Julianne Moore reacts after winning the Oscar for Best Leading Actress for her role as a university professor with Alzheimer's disease in "Still Alice". The win marked Moore's first Academy Award after being nominated four times previously.
Patricia Arquette speaks after winning the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role in "Boyhood”. Arquette received a standing ovation from some attendees after she called for equal pay for women in her acceptance speech.
Idina Menzel and John Travolta present the Oscar for best original song. Menzel jokingly referred to Travolta as "Glom Gazino,” jokingly referencing his mispronunciation of her name in last year’s ceremony.
Host Neil Patrick Harris stands next to a sealed briefcase holding his predictions of the Oscar winners.
Common performs the Oscar nominated song "Glory" from the film "Selma”.
Ophra Winfrey congratulates John Legend and Common, as actor David Oyelowo looks on, after "Glory" from the film "Selma" won the Oscar for best original song.
Singer songwriter Rita Ora to performs the Oscar nominated song "Grateful" from the film "Beyond the Lights”.
Emmanuel Lubezki poses with the Oscar for best cinematography for the film "Birdman or (The Unexpected Virture of Ignorance),” The movie was filmed in a way that makes it appear like it is one continuous shot.
Director Pawel Pawlikowski holds his Oscar for best foreign language film for "Ida" with presenters Chiwetel Ejiofor and Nicole Kidman.
J.K. Simmons, best supporting actor for "Whiplash, Patricia Arquette, best supporting actress for "Boyhood", Julianne Moore, best actress for "Still Alice" and Eddie Redmayne, best actor for "The Theory of Everything" pose with their Oscars backstage.
Actor Jared Leto photobombs producer James W. Skotchdopole with this Best Picture award for the film "Birdman" and his guests at the 2015 Vanity Fair Oscar Party.
Actress Emma Stone compares her Lego Oscar statuette with actress Julianne Moore's genuine Oscar for best leading actress for her role in "Still Alice" at the Governors Ball.
