Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
The 'Best Oscar Picture' Ever Taken Is For Sale
"She isn't sure quite who she is any more. I waited for her to look away from the camera, and I got the shot..."

Photo by Terry O'Neill (courtesy of Sotheby's/eBay)
"I look at this picture often, and I'm still so proud of it. It's still the best Oscar picture ever taken. And modern photographers should take that as a challenge." This is what photographer Terry O'Neill said just a few years ago, about his famous photo of Faye Dunaway (before the two married... and divorced). He got the shot the morning after her Network win at the Academy Awards in 1977, sitting by the pool of the Beverly Hills Hotel, breakfast an afterthought, newspapers strewn about at her feet.
Earlier this year, O'Neill was asked about the photo again, noting the real stories and photos don't happen in the press room during awards shows—"the real story is the next day, when they realize suddenly they’re getting all these offers to do films, their value goes from $100,000 to $10 million, and they’re just sort of stunned. I wanted to capture that."
The reason this photo is coming up again, post-Oscars season at that, is because Sotheby's has just teamed up with eBay to put some items on the block, and one of them is a mural-sized print of this photograph. It's unclear who the print, which measures in at about 55" by 56" belongs to, but it's signed and editioned 14/50. It's expected to get around $15,000.
Here's Dunaway winning her award in 1977:
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.

-
The critical findings are part of long-awaited after-action report was released Thursday. It contains recommendations for increasing emergency staffing and updating old systems.
-
Diving has changed, mountain biking has been added. Here's where to watch the Olympics in person in 2028.
-
'A Great Day in the Stoke' is a free, daylong event in Orange County billed as 'the largest gathering of Black surfers in history.' The fourth annual festival is set for Saturday in Huntington Beach.
-
Kimmel returned less than a week after ABC suspended his show over comments he made about the assassination of right wing activist Charlie Kirk.
-
Southern California might see some light rain tonight into Wednesday morning. After that, cooler weather is on the way, but expect the humidity to remain.
-
A gate tax at Disney? It's a possibility.