TO ENTERTAIN viewers, it appears Jimmy Kimmel had several bits prepared going into the 2024 Academy Awards.
One of those sketches included a nude segment featuring John Cena.
Why was John Cena naked at the 2024 Oscars?
As the 2024 Oscars’ second hour went underway, Jimmy Kimmel referenced a streaking incident that happened over 50 years ago at the 46th Academy Awards.
During the 1974 Oscars telecast, a man ran nude across the stage while David Niven was introducing Elizabeth Taylor.
In a sketch poking fun at the incident, Jimmy told the audience that John Cena was going to reenact the moment.
Instead of sauntering across the stage naked, John slowly walked out with just an envelope covering his genital area.
Inside the envelope was the winner of Best Costume Design.
The Fast and The Furious alum’s nude presentation was met with applause from the audience.
After the Best Costume Design nominees were listed, Jimmy covered John in pink curtains.
Dressed in his pink attire, he presented the accolade to Holly Waddington for Poor Things.
Who was the original Oscar streaker?
Jimmy and John’s sketch was meant to be a parody of Robert Opel, the streaker from the 1974 Oscars ceremony.
Opel was an English teacher, art gallery owner, and photographer from New Jersey.
At that year’s Academy Awards, he snuck into the show by posing as a journalist.
After successfully sneaking in, he sprinted past David Niven while holding up the peace sign.
As the audience was taken aback, Niven commented: “Well, ladies and gentlemen, that was almost bound to happen…
“…But isn’t it fascinating to think that probably the only laugh that man will ever get in his life is by stripping off and showing his shortcomings?”
At a post-Oscars press conference, Opel explained his reason for the impromptu incident and told the crowd: “It just occurred to me that it might be an educative thing to do.
“You know, people shouldn’t be ashamed of being nude in public.
“Besides, it is a hell of a way to launch a career.”
On July 7, 1979, 39-year-old Opel’s life was cut short when he was murdered during an attempted robbery at his San Francisco art studio.
