PwC Apologizes for Oscar Mix-Up After Giving Wrong Envelope
- Accounting firm’s reputation dented by best-picture gaffe
- PwC has led the balloting process for Oscars for 83 years
Actors Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty onstage during the 89th Annual Academy Awards
Photographer: Kevin Winter/Getty ImagesThis article is for subscribers only.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP apologized for one of the biggest gaffes in Oscar history, accepting blame for a snafu that blemished the accounting firm’s reputation at an event it had successfully shepherded for 83 years.
Since 1935, the firm has used the Oscar spotlight to burnish its image and drum up business in Hollywood and beyond. On Monday, PwC said it mixed up the envelopes given to presenters Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway, an error that led to “La La Land” being incorrectly given the best-picture statuette before viewers were told of an unscripted surprise twist: “Moonlight” had actually won.