Robert Opel (23 October 1939 – 7 July 1979) was a photographer and art gallery owner most famous as the man who streaked during the 46th Academy Awards in 1974. He sneaked backstage posing as a journalist (he had worked as a photographer for the well-known LGBT publication The Advocate, shortly before) and ran naked past David Niven flashing a peace sign while Niven was introducing Elizabeth Taylor.Unfazed, Niven turned to the audience and quipped, "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?"Later, some evidence arose suggesting that Opel's appearance was facilitated by the show's producer Jack Haley, Jr. as a stunt. Robert Metzler, the show's business manager, believed that the incident had been planned in some way. During the dress rehearsal, Niven had asked Metzler's wife to borrow a pen so he could write down the famous ad-lib. Opel apparently had to cut through an expensive seamless background curtain in order to reach the stage.The episode made Opel something of a celebrity. Producer Allan Carr even asked him to streak at a party for Rudolph Nureyev.In March 1978, Opel opened "Fey-Way Studios," a gallery of gay male art, at 1287 Howard Street in San Francisco. The gallery helped bring such erotic gay artists as Tom of Finland and Robert Mapplethorpe to national attention. Opel was murdered on the night of July 7, 1979, during a robbery of the studio, by Robert E. Kelly and Maurice Keenan.On February 14th, 2014, curator Rick Castro and Robert Oppel, (nephew) installed and premiered, Robert Opel: The Res~erection of Fey Way Studios, featuring original artworks, posters and memorabilia from Fey Way Studios circa 1978~ 79 at Antebellum gallery in Hollywood Ca.
After the attention from the Oscar stunt faded, the press generally paid him no mind until April of 1979 when he was found shot to death in his art gallery/sex paraphenalia shop in San Francisco. At first thought to have been a random robbery but when the killers were put on trial it was discovered that the men were actually drug dealers to whom he owed a great deal of money and that they had set up the robbery to look like a random crime. Despite the money that he had in his office, the killers only took $5, a camera and a backpack. They were all given life sentences in December of 1982.
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In the years following the streaking incident, he became something of an iconic symbol. He was put on talk shows now and then and several times he was hired by Beverly Hills socialites to streak at their friend's birthday parties.
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Due to David Niven's nonchalant response to Opel's streaking incident many suspected that whole thing was stage managed by the producers in an effort to boost a dull program.
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Opel is one of the most famous examples of 15 minutes of fame in history. During The 46th Annual Academy Awards (1974), just as David Niven was about to introduce Elizabeth Taylor, a naked Opel bolted across the stage. He was captured by security but instead of being arrested he was taken before the press.
Thanks
Title
Year
Status
Character
Uncle Bob
2010
Documentary in memory of
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
Uncle Bob
2010
Documentary
Himself
The Mike Douglas Show
1974
TV Series
Himself
The 46th Annual Academy Awards
1974
TV Special
Himself - Streaker (uncredited)
Known for movies
Uncle Bob (2010) as Thanks
The 46th Annual Academy Awards (1974) as Himself - Streaker
$10 Million
