Michelle Yeoh makes history with 1st Oscar for Malaysian (video)

LOS ANGELES, 13 March 2023:

Actress Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh has made history as the first Malaysian to win an Oscar at the 95th Academy Awards ceremony – with the ‘Best Actress’ honour for her performance in Everything Everywhere All at Once also being the first given to an Asian woman.

What made her achievement even more outstanding was that the Academy Award winner, who will turn 61 in August, is older than other nominees in the same category – though her age was eclipsed by the late Jessica Tandy for Driving Miss Daisy in 1989.

Yeoh referenced her age in the acceptance speech: “As time went by, I turned 60 last year, and I think all of you women understand this: as the days, years, numbers get bigger, the opportunities get smaller as well.

“For all the little boys and girls who look like me watching tonight, this is a beacon of hope and possibilities. This is proof that … dream big, and dreams do come true.”

The evening was dominated by her movie as Everything Everywhere All At Once won seven awards – including Best Picture, Best Original Screenplay, Best Director for Daniel Kwan with Daniel Scheinert, Ke Huy Quan winning Best Supporting Actor, and Jamie Lee Curtis winning Best Supporting Actress.

Of the top awards, this movie’s sweep was stopped only by Brendan Fraser winning Best Actor for The Whale.