John Wayne appeared in 138 films before receiving an Oscar for True Grit (1969). Before accepting the award, he whispered in presenter Barbra Streisand's ear "Beginner's luck."

Henry Fonda waited 41 years between his first acting nomination and his win for On Golden Pond (1981), but he got the Oscar on his 102nd film. He also received a nomination for producing the Best Picture nominee Twelve Angry Men in 1957.

The oldest acting winner is Christopher Plummer, who was 82 when he won Best Supporting Actor for Beginners in 2011.