Five Most Memorable Acceptance Speeches

By: Ronald Leung

An Academy Award is certainly a fantastic achievement: to be declared the best in the highly-competitive film industry is nothing to scoff at. It’s understandable then, that the acceptance speech that follows can be dramatic, hilarious or overwhelming. Here’s a look at the five most memorable Oscar acceptance speeches.

1. Adrien Brody – Best Actor, The Pianist (2002)

Brody made history by becoming the youngest actor to win the Academy Award for Best Actor at the age of 29, so you can certainly imagine his excitement. He was so excited that he went ahead and planted an impromptu kiss on announcer Halle Berry that lasted quite a while. Berry, although quite shocked at first, clearly did not have a bad time herself.

1. Angelina Jolie – Best Supporting Actress, Girl Interrupted (2000)

Before Brangelina, Jolie also showed some mouth-to-mouth at the Academy Awards by kissing her brother. She added how she was “in love with” him in her acceptance speech. It certainly gave the audience a little pause.

1.  Joe Pesci – Best Supporting Actor, Goodfellas (1991)

Usually the emotion of winning an Oscar translates to a length acceptance speech, but not for Pesci. He takes the cake for possibly having the shortest speech in Academy Awards History: “It was my privilege: thank you.”

1. Greer Garson – Best Actress, Mrs. Miniver (1942)

Garson was so surprised at winning that she hadn’t prepared anything to say – resulting in a rambling 7-minute speech. The Academy then imposed a 45 second time limit for all future speeches.

1. Marlon Brando – Best Actor, The Godfather (1973)

Brando famously snubbed the Academy by sending Native American activist Sacheen Littlefeather to refuse his Oscar. He wanted to protest against the stereotypical portrayal of the Native Americans, and also their unfair treatment at the hands of the US Government.