This Is What Date Night Looked Like at the Oscars in 1997

As we prepare to celebrate films like La La Land and Hidden Figures at the Oscars in late February, it's important to remember the historic award show's roots (and let me tell you — those roots are covered in a hell of a lot of satin). Two decades earlier at the 1997 Academy Awards, the red carpet was crawling with celebrity couples. From enduring Hollywood duos like Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn to some short-lived flings (Vivica A. Fox and Dennis Rodman, anyone?), the Oscars that year were a hotbed of PDA, hand-holding, and some very . . . um . . . interesting fashion choices. Bask in the glory of all of these late-'90s couples ahead!

Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise
Getty | Barry King

Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise

The Lion actress walked the red carpet hand in hand with then-husband Tom Cruise, but they later split in 2001 after 11 years of marriage.

Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith
Getty | Barry King

Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith

It's kind of hard to imagine a time when these two weren't married, but when they attended the '97 Oscars, they were still just boyfriend and girlfriend. A mere 11 months later, the couple wed in a secret New Year's Eve ceremony at Baltimore's Cloisters Mansion.

Nicolas Cage and Patricia Arquette
Getty | Jeffrey Mayer

Nicolas Cage and Patricia Arquette

Nicolas Cage and Patricia Arquette's marriage only lasted five years, but at least they'll always have these photos to look back on.

Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell
Getty | Jeffrey Mayer

Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell

Ever since costarring in the 1984 romantic war drama Swing Shift, Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell have been inseparable, and it shows.

Helen Hunt and Hank Azaria
Getty | Magma Agency

Helen Hunt and Hank Azaria

The What Women Want star strolled down the red carpet hand in hand with Hank Azaria, who she went on to marry in 1999 (and subsequently divorce a year later).

Dennis Rodman and Vivica A. Fox
Getty | Magma Agency

Dennis Rodman and Vivica A. Fox

This unexpected twosome were rumored to be hooking up, but an official relationship never solidified.

Jennifer Lopez and Ojani Noa
Getty | Barry King

Jennifer Lopez and Ojani Noa

Jennifer Lopez struck a pose with her first husband, Ojani Noa, who she later divorced in 1998. It doesn't look like things between them have gotten any better, either, since it was recently revealed that the superstar is suing him over a honeymoon tape.

Billy Bob Thornton and Pietra Dawn Cherniak
Getty | Jeffrey Mayer

Billy Bob Thornton and Pietra Dawn Cherniak

Billy Bob Thornton showed off his love of ZZ Top while his then-wife, Pietra Dawn Cherniak, looked on.

Quentin Tarantino and Mira Sorvino
Getty | Sam Levi

Quentin Tarantino and Mira Sorvino

The 1997 Oscars happened smack dab in the middle of Quentin Tarantino and Mira Sorvino's relationship, which lasted from 1996 until 1998, before they had a "very, very amicable" breakup.

Jim Carrey and Lauren Holly
Getty | Jeffrey Mayer

Jim Carrey and Lauren Holly

Jim Carrey was at the height of popularity for movies like Liar, Liar and The Cable Guy when he brought wife and actress Lauren Holly to the award show. They were divorced later that year, but in a recent interview with OWN Lauren described their one-year-long marriage as "sort of exciting" and "a great sort of ride."

Joel Coen and Frances McDormand
Getty | VINCE BUCCI

Joel Coen and Frances McDormand

Frances McDormand took home the best actress Oscar that year for Fargo and partied the night away afterward with husband Joel Coen.

Ralph Fiennes and Francesca Annis
Getty | VINCE BUCCI

Ralph Fiennes and Francesca Annis

Ralph Fiennes was nominated for best actor in The English Patient in 1997, and although he didn't win, at least he had then-girlfriend Francesca Annis there for support.

Sara Kapfer and Cuba Gooding Jr.
Getty | VINCE BUCCI

Sara Kapfer and Cuba Gooding Jr.

Cuba Gooding Jr. and Sara Kapfer were high school sweethearts and married in 1994. Although Sara filed for divorce in 2014, it has yet to be finalized and it appears that they're still on good terms.

Tim Allen and Laura Deibel
Getty | Sam Levi

Tim Allen and Laura Deibel

Tim Allen and first wife Laura Deibel flashed some big smiles for photographers at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party.

Kristin Scott Thomas and Francois Olivennes
Getty | KMazur

Kristin Scott Thomas and Francois Olivennes

The British actress arrived at the Oscars not only with then-husband Francois Olivennes, but also a very bold dress that we still can't quite figure out 20 years later.

James Brolin and Barbra Streisand
Getty | Jeffrey Mayer

James Brolin and Barbra Streisand

Barbra Streisand looked giddy on the red carpet with James Brolin (who she'd tie the knot with a year later!).

Trudie Styler and Sting
Getty | KMazur

Trudie Styler and Sting

English actress, film producer, and director Trudie Styler nuzzled up to longtime love and husband Sting at Elton John's afterparty.