At the 72nd Academy Awards, just as most media had predicted, "American Beauty" became the big winner, sweeping up the awards for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor in a Leading Role, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Cinematography. It garnered nearly all of the most eye-catching awards, making Sam Mendes the sixth director whose debut work won the "Oscar for Best Director". Additionally, at the age of 34, he also became the second youngest in Oscar history, just behind Norman Taurog, who won at 32 for "Skippy".