Long Island's Kevin O'Connell Finally Gets An Oscar Win

LONG ISLAND, N.Y. -- After 20 previous nominations, Long Island native Kevin O'Connell was finally able to take home an Oscar.

O'Connell, a well-known Hollywood sound mixer, held the record for the most Oscar nominations without a win. And the odds were against him again this year, as his film, "Hacksaw Ridge," was up against award show darling "La La Land." But "Hacksaw Ridge" took home the award for Best Sound Mixing, breaking O'Connell's losing streak (although he still holds the record).

"I can't even tell you what this means to me. It means so much to me," O'Connell said during his acceptance speech. "And a special thank you tonight to my mother, Skippy O’Connell, who 39 years ago got me a job in sound. And when I asked her, 'Ma, how could I ever thank you?' She turned to me and said, ‘I'll tell you how you can thank me. You can work hard. You can work really hard, and someday you can win yourself an Oscar, and you can stand on the stage, and you can think me in front of the whole world." Mom, I know you’re looking down on me tonight, so thank you."

O'Connell has been a sound mixer in Hollywood since the 1980s. His job is to layer in sound effects to create realistic sound in movies. He told NPR that, during the filming of "Hacksaw Ridge," the explosions on location sounded like firecrackers and the guns the actors were using sounded like cap guns. O'Connell had to add every explosion and gunshot into the movie, making it come to life.

Kevin O'Connell, second from left, accepted his award at the 89th Annual Academy Award Ceremony on Sunday. He was joined by, from left, Robert Mackenzie, Andy Wright and Peter Grace. Photo: Aaron Poole / ©A.M.P.A.S.