The prominent winner was the film Dances with Wolves which earned three major awards. Kevin Costner was the movie's director and leading actor. Whoopi Goldberg made history in becoming the second African-American actress to ever win an Academy Award (the first being Hattie McDaniel in 1939).
Seven members of Reba McEntire's band and her road manager were among 10 who died in a March 16, 1991plane crash near San Diego, California. There was a minor controversy over her decision to perform on the Academy Awards a week after the crash. But, she appeared on the show to dedicate the nominated song, I'm Checking Out, from the film Postcards From the Edge, to her fallen band members. During the performance, McEntire was visibly emotional.
Billy Crystal won two Emmys, for writing and for his hosting performance, for this telecast.