Celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month: Emile Kuri, first Hispanic recipient of an Oscar

Emile Kuri, born June 11, 1907 in Cuernavaca, Mexico, was a set decorator who won two Academy Awards for Best Art Direction and was nominated fore six more.

In 1942, he was nominated for Best Art Direction for Silver Queen, becoming the first Hispanic to be nominated for an Academy Award in any category. He won the Academy Award in 1949 for The Heiress, and again in 1954 for 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.  

He received nominations for Carrie (1952), Executive Suite (1954), Executive Suite (1954), The Absent-Minded Professor (1961), Mary Poppins (1964), and Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971).

Kuri passed away in October 2000.

"20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" wins two Academy Awards (1955)

Disney's science-fiction masterpiece 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea won two Academy Awards at the 27th ceremony March 30, 1955.  It won Best Art Direction, Color for John Meehan (Art Direction) and Emile Kuri (Set Decoration).  It also won Best Special Effects.

It was nominated for Best Film Editing for Elmo Williams.

I think it is great that a horror favorite of mine Them! was also nominated for Best Special Effects.