FRANCES McDormand almost lost her Best Actress Oscar for good.

After getting her trophy engraved at the Governors Ball on Sunday, McDormand, 60, misplaced her trophy, USA Today reported. The situation left her distraught outside the event as she exited with her husband Joel Coen, reports the New York Post.

New York Times reporter Cara Buckley tweeted that McDormand “had set it down and was chatting” when a man swiped the golden statuette.

“Security at the Governors Ball are looking for this guy, who grabbed Frances McDormand’s Oscar and ran out with it,” Ms Buckley wrote.

“Wolfgang Puck’s photographer stopped him, got the Oscar back, and the guy disappeared back into the ball. Apparently Frances has said to let him go.”

According to the New York Post, the alleged thief has been arrested.

Los Angeles police confirmed to the New York Post that the man, reported by the Daily Mail as Terry Bryant, has been arrested and booked on felony grand theft charges.

Bryant is now facing up to a year in prison for the theft.

On Instagram, Bryant calls himself a “producer, Alist Entertainment journalist,TV Film & Music Producer, A&E Editor, Actor, TV Host, UN Ambassador”.

Bryant, who also reportedly goes by DJ Matari, did have a ticket to the event.

McDormand won the statuette for her performance in Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.

Her rep told USA Today that the actress got the trophy back.

“Fran and Oscar are happily reunited and are enjoying an In-N-Out burger together,” her rep said.