An American photographer and activist, Robert Opel’s legacy endures to this day with the impact he had through 1970s art, conceptions of sex, and politics. His iconic moment during the 1974 Academy Awards, when he streaked across the stage during David Niven’s introduction of Elizabeth Taylor, remains one of the most talked-about moments in film award history. But who exactly was Robert Opel?

More than just a fleeting figure of spectacle, Opel was a radical and unapologetic symbol of defiance against societal norms. His streaking at the Oscars was not simply a stunt; it was a deliberate act of rebellion, a statement about the constraints society imposed on the human body and the stigma surrounding sexuality.

In a decade defined by counterculture movements, his actions embodied the ethos of radical liberation. Openly bisexual, Opel’s unapologetic embrace of nudity, queerness, and non-conformity placed him at the crossroads of art, politics, and activism when many were still fighting for basic rights and recognition.

Beyond his Oscar moment, Opel’s impact was felt in the spheres of art and activism. He worked closely with the gay community, not only as a contributor to LGBTQ+ publications like The Advocate but also as a fixture within the burgeoning San Francisco art scene. His Fey-Way Studios, a gallery that featured artists like Tom of Finland and Robert Mapplethorpe, became a haven for those pushing boundaries with their work.

These artists, many of whom focused on taboo subjects like sexuality and homoeroticism, found in Opel a patron who both supported and understood their vision. His gallery stood as a defiant space in the face of an America that was still grappling with its attitudes toward sexual freedom and artistic expression.

Opel’s activism extended well beyond his gallery. As a public figure, he used his body as a form of protest, from his nude demonstrations at city council meetings to his naked campaign for president, with the slogan “Nothing to Hide”.

His candidness about his sexuality, his willingness to expose himself – both physically and metaphorically – marked him as a unique figure in the fight for queer visibility. He embodied the tension between those who sought assimilation, like Harvey Milk, and those like himself who rejected conformity altogether, seeking to upend the social order entirely. 

Robert’s life was tragically cut short in 1979 after a violent robbery at his gallery, which remains shrouded in mystery. Many speculated that it was linked to his political activism, particularly his mock execution of Dan White at the 1979 Gay Freedom Day Parade, a stunt that enraged some and made him a target for backlash. 

His work in the realms of art, politics, and LGBTQ+ activism continues to inspire those who refuse to accept the status quo and those who challenge society’s boundaries with their bodies, voices, and art.

Robert Opel’s streaking episode at the 1974 Academy Awards was commemorated at this year’s Oscars, when actor John Cena walked on stage completely naked and only covered by an envelope to present the Best Costume Design award.