Quick-thinking photographer credited with saving Frances McDormand’s stolen Oscar

A photographer covering an Oscars’ after-party Sunday night is being credited with stopping a thief from stealing the golden statue awarded to Frances McDormand who won the Best Actress Award for her performance in the film “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.” According to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD,) 47-year-old Terrence “Terry” Bryant Jr. was arrested for allegedly stealing McDormand’s Oscar at The Governors Ball.  Bryant reportedly swiped the Oscar from McDormand’s table during the party, told everyone that he had won the award and even posted a video to Facebook announcing his big win.

ABC News shared that a photographer on the scene was watching Bryant and, “did not recognize Bryant as a recipient from the awards show and believed he was in possession of a trophy which did not belong to him.” According to a statement released by the LAPD and shared by ABC News:

“The photographer followed Bryant and without any resistance from Bryant took the Oscar from him. Security at the event was notified and detained Bryant,” the statement continued. “The Oscar was returned to the recipient. At this time it appears Bryant did have a ticket to the Governors Ball.”

During the Ball, McDormand noticed her Oscar was missing and was visibly upset.  The Verge shared Bryant’s text from his Facebook Live video.

“My team got this tonight. This is mine. We got it tonight, baby.” Bryant then smooches the statue several times before yelling “Who wants to tell me congratulations?” While people swarm in to touch the stolen award — which Bryant repeatedly says he got “for music” — he can be heard asking people where the parties are happening.

Bryant was arrested Sunday night and booked Monday on $20,000 bail.  He was charged with grand theft.

Following Bryant’s arrest, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences released a statement saying that, “Best Actress winner Frances McDormand and her Oscar were happily reunited after a brief separation at last night’s Governors Ball. The alleged thief was quickly apprehended by a photographer and members of our fast-acting Academy and security teams. The ‘Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri’ star resumed her celebrations.”

For more on the theft and recovery of Frances McDormand’s Oscar, see the video accompanying this article.

~ Written by: Richard Webster, Ace News Today   /   Connect with Richard on Facebook and Twitter