best acceptance speeches of all time

21 Of The Most Iconic And Memorable Oscars Acceptance Speeches Of All Time

From the hilarious to the tear-jerkers, here's a list of the best speeches of all time.

Let's not forget that these are actors and therefore people who make money from being dramatic or creating drama for a living.

So, is it really any surprise that when these actors win the highest honour in their field, things get very intense very quickly?

From Gwyneth Paltrow sobbing in a pink princess dress to Michael Moore berating George Bush, in celebration of the 96th Academy Awards (March 10), let's take a look back at some of the most memorable Oscars speeches from throughout the years ...

The Most Empowering Oscars Speeches

Michelle yeoh - best actress in a leading role, 2023.

Michelle Yeoh became the first asian woman to win the Best Actress In A Leading Role accolade for her part in Everything Everywhere All at Once at the 95th Academy Awards.

In a rousing speech the 60 year-old star told the audience: 'Thank you for all the little boys and girls who look like me watching tonight, this is a beacon of hope and possibilities.'

Holding up her gold Oscar she exclaimed: 'This is proof that dream big and dreams do come true, and ladies, don’t let anybody tell you you’re past your prime.'

'This is history in the making,' Yeoh rightly said.

Ariana DeBose - Best Supporting Actress, 2022

West Side Story star Ariana DeBose gave an empowering and heartfelt speech when accepting her 'Best Supporting Actress' accolade at the 94th Academy Awards.

She spoke proudly of being an 'openly queer woman of colour' and told the audience 'there is indeed a place for us'.

Referring to her early days as a performer, she said: 'Imagine this little girl in the back seat of a white Ford Focus, look into her eyes.

'You see an openly queer woman of colour, an Afro-Latina, who found her strength in life through art. And that is, I think, what we’re here to celebrate.'

Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross and Jon Batiste - Best Original Score, 2021

Zendaya presented the trio with the Oscar for Best Original Score for their animated film Soul at the 93rd Oscars.

'You know what’s deep is God gave us 12 notes, it’s the same 12 notes that Duke Ellington had, that Bach had, Nina Simone,' Ross began.

'I want to point out that every gift is special. Every contribution with music that comes from the divine into the instruments into the film, into the minds, hearts and souls of every person who hears it, the stories that happen when you listen to it and watch it and the stories you share, the moments you make, the memories you create, man, it’s just so incredibly special. It’s just so incredibly special… we’re incredibly humbled and thankful. I’m thankful to God for those 12 notes.'

Lupita Nyong'o - Best Supporting Actress Oscars Speech, 2014

Nyong'o glided up to accept her award for her role in the harrowing Steve McQueen movie 12 Years A Slave, looking radiant wearing a Prada dress and headband which only added to the angelic nature of the speech. Nyong'o thanked McQueen and her co-stars so authentically before paying tribute to her brother and best friend and ending with a message to the audience, 'May this remind you that no matter where you are from, your dreams are valid.'

John Legend and Common - Best Original Song Oscars Speech, 2015

After a searing performance of their song 'Glory', which accompanied Ava DuVernay's Martin Luther King Jr. drama Selma , John Legend and Common took to the stage to accept their Oscar. The duo spoke about the parallels between the march for equal rights and justice acknowledged in the film and song and the people who continue fighting for their rights today. Legend used his platform to highlight the injustices in the American judicial system and urge for criminal justice reform.

Barry Jenkins and Tarell Alvin McCraney - Best Adapted Screenplay, 2017

The Moonlight director and writer gave an impassioned acceptance speech, encouraging young Black and LGBTQ+ people watching to have the confidence to tell their stories.

'This goes out to all those Black and brown boys and girls and non-gender conforming who don't see themselves, we're trying to show you, you and us. So thank you, this is for you,' said McCraney.

While Jenkins reminded viewers that the Academy and ACLU - America's biggest civil rights organisation - were there for them saying, 'All those people out there who feel like there's no mirror for you and your life is not reflected... we have your back and for the next four years we will not leave you alone and will not forget you.' Later on in the night, the two returned to the stage to accept the award for Best Picture, though were ultimately and understandably caught off guard after La La Land was announced as the wrong winner.

Frances McDormand - Best Actress Oscar Speech, 2018

'I'm hyperventilating a little bit, if I fall over pick me up because I've got some things to say,' began McDormand before paying tribute to her Three Billboards colleagues, her husband Joel Cohen and son Pedro McDormand Cohen before asking all the female nominees from every category in the room to stand with her. 'Meryl if you do it, everyone else will,' she said to Streep in the front row.

She then proceeded to educate ask the men in the room to meet with all the women they see standing to listen to their career ambitions and projects before mentioning two words, and subsequently enticing the audience at home to Google rapidly, 'inclusion rider' - a clause in an actor/filmmaker's contract that ensures a certain level of diversity in the cast and crew on a production.

The Most Entertaining Oscars Speeches

Ben affleck and matt damon - best original screenplay oscars speech, 1997.

Aged just 25 and 27, childhood friends Affleck and Damon won an Oscar for writing their film, Good Will Hunting. The pair shouted their speech, as they reeled off people to thank from Minnie Driver to Robin Williams to their mothers, escalated in volume as they became more excitable and aware of the time limit.

Julia Roberts - Best Actress Oscars Speech, 2001

The actress won the Best Actress Academy Award for portraying environmental lawyer Erin Brockovich in 2001 and accepted it with a hilarious speech which alternated between thanking everyone Roberts has ever met (she literally thanks 'anyone I've ever met in my whole life') at one point and battling with the behind the scenes Oscars crew keeping time on her speech: 'Man with the stick I see you!'

Olivia Colman - Best Actress Oscars Speech, 2019

When Frances McDormand and Sam Rockwell announced the former Peep Show star as the winner and she was stunned into the backs of her seat, while being embraced and kissed by her husband, Ed on one side and a weeping Emma Stone on the other, we knew this was going to be a great speech.

Colman did not disappoint, starting her speech with, 'It's genuinely quite stressful, this is hilarious, I've got an Oscar', before poking her tongue out at the teleprompter when she was told to wrap up and simply pointing and saying 'Lady Gaga' at the star and her fellow nominee in the front row.

Daniel Kaluuya - Best Supporting Actor Speech, 2021

During the ceremony, the British actor won the award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Judas and the Black Messiah. In his speech he paid tribute to Chairman Fred Hampton, who he portrayed in the film, and his work in civil rights.

But he then thanked his parents in what could quite possibly be the funniest shoutout in Oscars' history.

‘I’d like to thank my mum,’ he said. ‘You gave me everything. You gave me your factory settings. So I could stand at my fullest height. Thank you so much for showing me myself, and there’s so much work to do. That’s on everyone in this room. This ain’t no single man job. I look at every single one of you. We’ve got work to do.'

At the end of his speech, the star thanked his parents for bringing him into the world, much to his family's shock, who were watching the ceremony live in London.

‘My mum and my dad...they had sex. It's amazing! I'm here!’ he said, before the crowd went wild with applause.

The Most Emotional Oscars Speeches

Troy kotsur - best supporting actor, 2022.

The actor collected his award for Coda , and made history as the first male deaf actor to win an Academy Award.

'It’s a tough journey as a Deaf actor,' he said during his speech. 'There’s so few opportunities out there, and [Marlee Matlin, his Coda co-star] kept on going. She was persistent. And then so was I with my own career as a stage actor. So here I am today.”

The actor continued, paying tribute to his father: 'My dad, he was the best signer in our family. But he was in a car accident, and he became paralysed from the neck down. And he no longer was able to sign. Dad, I learned so much from you. I’ll always love you. You are my hero.'

Gwyneth Paltrow - Best Actress Oscars Speech, 1999

Paltrow was famously tearful when she won an Oscar for her role in Shakespeare In Love in 1999. The star became the most emotional when paying tribute to her father Bruce Paltrow, who was in the audience with her mother Blythe Danner, and who was diagnosed with oral cancer in 1999. Paltrow passed away from cancer complications in 2002 aged 58.

Halle Berry - Best Actress Oscars Speech, 2002

Berry had tears running down her face when she reached the stage to accept her Academy Award for Monster's Ball , becoming the first Black woman to win the Best Actress award in the process. 'This moment is so much bigger than me,' Berry said as she struggled to speak through tears while recounting her acting heroes. 'It's for every faceless, nameless, woman of colour who now has the chance because this door tonight has been opened.'

Jamie Foxx - Best Actor Oscar Speech, 2005

Starting with some Ray Charles vocals in homage to the singer he portrayed in the Oscar-winning film, Foxx then thanked his daughter (who he brought to the Oscars that night) for telling him just before the award, 'If you don't win Dad, you're still good', before a heartfelt tribute to his grandmother, Marie, where Foxx struggled to hold back tears.

Heath Ledger - Best Supporting Actors Oscars Speech, 2009

In 2009, Ledger was posthumously awarded an Oscar for his role as the Joker in The Dark Knight , a year after his death. The award was received on his behalf by his family, who said they had been 'truly overwhelmed' by the honour and respect attributed to Ledger and accepted it on behalf of his daughter with Michelle Williams, Matilda.

Viola Davis - Best Supporting Actress Oscar Speech, 2017

Davis was overcome with emotion as she delivered her Oscars speech for her role in Fences in 2017, especially when talking about the impact of her parents on her life and career. Emma Stone looked particularly teary-eyed at the end when Davis paid tribute to her husband Julius Tennon and their children. 'I'm so glad you are the foundation of my life,' Davis said as she wrapped up her speech.

The Most Political Oscars Speeches

Marlon brando - best actor oscars speech, 1973.

The actor won his award for The Godfather in 1973 however declined his award and gave the opportunity for a speech to actress Sacheen Littlefeather, who used the platform to criticise the depiction of Native Americans in Hollywood. She passed on the message that Brando couldn't accept the award because of the 'treatment of American Indians today by the film industry and on television and movie reruns'.

Michael Moore - Best Documentary Oscars Speech, 2003

Accepting his award for gun-control documentary Bowling for Columbine, director Michael Moore used his time on stage to criticise the George Bush presidency and Iraq War.

An impassioned Moore raised his voice as he said, 'Shame on you Mr Bush' while the audience roundly booed (though some applause was had) and high-profile celebrities like Adrien Brody looked on awkwardly.

Writing about his Oscars speech for The Hollywood Reporter, in 2017, Moore said: ' Later, my wife and I walked over to the Governors Ball. When I walked in, it was like the Red Sea parting. No one there wanted to be anywhere near the guy who got booed off the stage. One board member told me, "Wow, you really know how to ruin a standing ovation."'

However, he caveated that over the years he has a lot more of a positive reception to his speech than on the night in 2003.

Leonardo DiCaprio - Best Actor Oscar Speech, 2016

In 2016, the world waited with baited breath to see if The Revenant star would finally win an Oscar many thought he should have received years before. He did and nailed his speech in the process, using the platform to eloquently pay tribute to and urge protection of indigenous people while also asking for action on Climate Change, which he called 'the most urgent threat facing our entire species'.

Oh, we can't wait for the Oscars this weekend.

The Sweetest Oscars Speech

Brendan fraser - best actor oscar speech, 2023.

Brendan Fraser won the Oscar for Best Actor for his leading role in The Whale at the 95th Academy Awards. The actor came to the podium with tears in his eyes, and relayed a moving, whale and water themed speech that had everyone in the audience moved, telling his co-workers for the film: 'you laid your whale-sized hearts bare so we could see into your souls like no one else.'

Fraser found success in the late 1990s and 2000s, but after 20 years Fraser has experienced something of a comeback, telling the audience at the Oscars: ' Things they didn’t come easily to me...I just want to say thank you for this acknowledgement.'

Emerald Fennell - Best Original Screenplay Oscar Speech, 2021

Emerald Fennell won the Oscar for the Best Original Screenplay for Promising Young Woman at the 93 rd Oscars, and adorably began her acceptance speech by revealing that she hadn’t actually written anything to say.

‘They said write a speech and I didn’t, because I just didn’t think this would happen, and I’m going to be in trouble with [producer] Stephen Soderbergh,’ she admitted.

‘He’s so heavy and he’s so cold!’ she joked about her Oscar on picking it up, adding: ‘So, the only speech I ever wrote was when I was 10, soI had a look to see if there was anything useful from it, but it mostly thanked Zack Morris from Saved By The Bell , my very supportive husband. ‘Unfortunately, he hasn’t been as much a part of my life as I’d hoped, and so that speech is not that useful.’

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20 Best Oscar Speeches Ever

The feeling of winning and getting your name called out for an Oscar is indubitably the single most cherished memory and honor of an artist’s life. Striving everyday, being pervasively persistent on the road to the magnificent golden statue is what makes the winning memorable. And winning the trophy often evokes the truest of emotions, whose veracity is the most sanctimonious and pristine in the whole wide world. This has culminated in us witnessing superstars crying their heart out and losing all of their self-consciousness to just be free. The magnanimous platform often humbles the most taciturn of artists, and reiterates their belief in doing what they do. They also use this stage to profoundly express themselves and influence masses of the issues we as a society face. Right from race, politics and capitalism, to Mama June on a hot summer afternoon, the Oscars have seen it all.

There are a few, who aren’t liberated off their performances and image in the media, and come prepared, with a long litany of people to thank. And then there are some, who just enjoy the moment, and wing the whole thing as it were an SNL routine. Remembering these resonating and powerful acceptance speeches, the list envisages to mention some of these blithering addresses, which obliterate all the sense of being. Enjoy the list of the best and most iconic Oscar speeches ever. Happy Watching!

20. Tom Hanks (‘Philadelphia’)

Tom Hanks is one of the most lovable and relatable stars of the industry. His boy-next door charm and kind nature often manage to humble the sternest and uptight of people. He won his first ever Oscar for Jonathan Demme’s 1993 drama film, ‘Philadelphia’, which saw him play Andrew Beckett, a HIV patient whose homosexuality, ironically, is a cause of his insecurities and shame. He is eventually brought out in the limelight by his firm, who fire him for being an AIDS patient. Ridiculed and down-looked upon by the society, he endeavors to fight for himself and therein ensues one of the most endearing battle for justice in cinematic history. ‘Phialdelphia’ become one of the first mainstream movies to highlight the issue of HIV and homosexuality, and did so with maternal care and augmenting style. The tearful Hanks in the above video did accidentally let out two of his homosexual friends, who were still in the closet. But despite that, his powerful message to the world about AIDS and homosexuality made his Oscar acceptance speech one of the most iconic speeches of all time.

19. Sally Field (‘Norma Rae’)

The genius of Sally Field was obscure to my conscience until I witnessed her endearing performance as Ol’ Marry Todd (‘Hateful Eight’ reference) in the 2012 film ‘Lincoln’. Upon further viewings of her provocative performances, I stumbled upon ‘Norma Rae’ and was blissfully moved. No wonder she won the Oscar for her performance. During her acceptance speech, she reiterated the words ‘I like you’ from the movie and confused audiences with her cryptic yet evocative speech. Her child-like enthusiasm and lady-like manners make for an enjoyable watch.

18. Jack Palance (‘City Slickers’)

When a 60-year old man does one-arm superman push-ups, you are bound to have a complex, regardless your age. Such was the case with Jack Palace when he won the Oscar for Best Actor in Supporting Role for the 1992 film ‘City Slickers.’ His protracted repartee with the host Billy Crystal and his dazed and confused look, as what to do next, quickly became the highlight of the show. The hand-gestures, true confessions about the discrimination against the senior citizens of the society were truly heart-touching. “42 years later, you were right, you son of a bitch!” made my day!

17. Julia Roberts (‘Erin Brokovich’)

Julia Roberts is one of the prettiest and desired women in the world. People often misconstrue her good looks with her not being an able actor, and downsize her unblemished talent and ability to captivate audiences. She proved all the naysayers wrong with her Oscar winning performance in ‘Erin Brokovich’. And boy did she make it count! In her fun-filled and emotional address, she touched upon various subjects like her “sisterhood” with the fellow nominees and how her name, starting with an ‘R’ makes her last on every list.Her polite request and warning to the composer made us laugh our hearts out. “And sir, you are doing an amazing job, but you are so quick with the sticks, so why don’t you sit down, because I might never be here again.”

16. Michael Caine (‘The Cider House Rules’)

Sir Michael Caine is only one of the two actors (the other being Jack Nicholson) to have been nominated for an Oscar in every decade since 1960 to the 2000s. The mercurial actor has two Oscars to his name, the latter being  win for ‘The Cider House Rules’. Most prominently recognized for his distinctive working class cockney accent, the man is a legend. The rousing applause and congratulatory hugs from his fellow nominees showed what a reverential figure he is in the industry. What beckoned even more respect for the venerable actor, was his stand for changing “the winner is” to “the Oscar goes to”. Being humble in his win, and his acknowledging of the fellow performances of his nominated peers made this a truly iconic speech.

15. Gwyneth Paltrow (‘Shakespeare in Love’)

The sobbing acceptance speech is perhaps the most articulate and lucid Paltrow ever could have been. Crying rivers and sobbing incessantly, she made others shed tears and took the award to a rapturous and accepting crowd. Even though her performance might not have been the finest among the nominees to her own admission, Paltrow undoubtedly deserved to take the golden statue home. Her honest yet resonant words will forever remain etched into the memory of not just the hundreds present in the auditorium that day, but the millions watching her on TV.

14. Matthew McCaughaney (‘Dallas Buyers Club’)

Alright. Alright.Alright. There is no man more charismatic and easy-flowing as this guy in the industry. This unique blend of raw sexuality and religious solidarity is a blessing for the industry. The sprawling southern accent, which makes every word spoken like a pearl dropping out of his mouth, captivated us on that night. The amazingly well structured speech, which perhaps will give you new found strength to pursue your goals in life, encapsulated the spirit with which he lives his life. In a nutshell, it was simply outstanding.

13. Lupita N’Yongo (’12 Years a Slave’)

The Academy’s racist proclivities have been a topic of constant debates and discussions in recent times. Many have accused them of being partial and disregarding artist of color and their endearing performances. Well, the Academy wasn’t able to help itself but recognize and honor one of the most harrowing performances by an artist in recent times. Playing a slave cotton-worker in one of the numerous souther plantations in ’12 Years a Slave’, N’Yongo solidified her credentials in celluloid with her performance. The eloquent and gracious outfit, coupled with moving words about one of biggest atrocities against mankind, the speech resonated in the auditorium like a lion’s roar and will forever be ensconced in our memories.

12. Adrien Brody (‘The Pianist’)

Adrien Brody became the youngest actor to win an Oscar for Best Actor in a Leading role as Wladyslaw Spillzman, a simpleton musician who becomes a victim of religious persecution and probably the most brutal crime against humanity. The harrowing performance not only garnered universal critical praise, but also brought him under the scanner and into the eyes of global cinephiles. His scandalous smooch with Halle Berry will forever remain one of the most iconic moments in Oscar history. And as they say, “I bet they didn’t tell you this came in your gift basket.”

11. Joe Pesci (‘Goodfellas’)

“It’s my privilege. Thank you.” And like that, he was gone. At two seconds long, it remains the shortest ever Oscar acceptance speech, and doesn’t seem to be breached soon either.

10. Kate Winslet (‘The Reader’)

Kate Winslet is a thoroughly underrated actress in the industry. Her performances over the years have earned her a well deserved seven Academy nominations, also making her the youngest to do so. She was quickly descending into Meryl Streep territory until the elusive win for ‘The Reader’. The role of Hanna Schmitz, a former guard at a Nazi concentration camp, and a present defendant in a war-crimes trial, was tailor-made for the exuberant actress, and her scathing vulnerability on screen. She took us on a ride even your girlfriend couldn’t have taken you, with her tryst with relationships and tenoning grip on reality. A special moment for a special actress.

9. Patricia Arquette (‘Boyhood’)

Equality among both the genders has been an issue that has found its voice with many-a-great personalities of our time. A similar war was waged by Patricia Arquette in her Oscar acceptance speech for her performance in ‘Boyhood’. In a crisp and succinct address, she touched upon the issue of equality among women with wages in the industry. In a formidable baritone and firmness in her rights, she pointed out the fact how men in the industry are more valued with more recognition and higher wages. The speech remains a cornerstone for equality for women not only in the industry, but also various other fields in the world.

8. Leonardo DiCaprio (‘The Revenant’)

When it finally happened, it was worth it. The whole world cringed and rejoiced in profound happiness when Leonardo DiCaprio, perhaps the finest actor of our generation, won his first Oscar after a string of award-worthy nominations. His win was the most talked about piece of news among the masses, inspiring a hoard of caricatures and memes. But what stood out in his speech was the importance lent to one of the most bludgeoning issues at hand : global warming. His valiant defense of natives and their lands, along with an expedient urgency regarding climate change made him a stand out among his peers in being a responsible citizen. He has since been an ambassador for climate change and the awareness of the dire consequences, if left unnoticed.

7. Robin Williams (‘Good Will Hunting’)

The range this guy possessed was really outstanding. One could never have imagined him featuring in dramatic roles, and yet he changed the way dramatic roles were portrayed. Winning the Oscar for his scintillating performance in ‘Good Will Hunting’, with the park monologue being one of the greatest of all time, the humble Williams opted for a subdued approach in his speech.

6. Daniel Day Lewis (‘Lincoln’)

This guy is probably the greatest actor in the history of cinema. His dedication and drive is unmatched in the industry, with many even going on record to dub him as “retarded” and “insane”. He made history with an unprecedented third Oscar win in the Best Actor in a Leading Role category, completing the triumvirate with his portrayal of Abraham Lincoln in Steven Speilberg’s ‘Linclon’. Receiving the award from the great Meryl Streep, the unison saw two of the greatest actors in cinematic history together. With some quick-witted remarks and brutal honesty, Day Lewis won hearts with his endearing homage to the great man of America. A truly well deserved Oscar!

5. Marlon Brando (‘The Godfather’)

Odd choice! The speech mentioned here is the one that Brando didn’t give. Or he gave it in spirit. I don’t know. But what I do know is, the significance of the speech on his behalf forever changed the face of cinema in Hollywood. He didn’t turn out to take his award for his marvelous performance as the godfather in its namesake in protest for atrocities against Native Indians. Their persecution and negative portrayal in the industry didn’t find a supporter in Brando, who sent out a representative with a 15 minute long speech. Even though it didn’t turn out to be that long, it had a significant effect on the way Native Indians were portrayed in the following years. Kudos Brando!

4. Cuba Gooding Jr (‘Jerry Maguire’)

I really feel an actor winning the Oscar for ‘Jerry Maguire’ was bound to happen. But I think they messed up the names and Cuba Gooding Jr ended up winning the award instead of Tom Cruise. Well, the celebration certainly wasn’t downtrodden, with the mercurial actor out speaking the man with the sticks. The over enthusiastic acceptance does make for a fun watch. Perhaps overawed by the win and thanking the charm Gods?

3. Viola Davis (‘Fences’)

She is without doubt the most powerful of thespians in the industry. Her formidable speech and her excruciating and penetrating emotions often make you cringe with pain and agony. We are perhaps lucky, and blessed in some mysterious ways, to have an actress like that in the industry. And one of the most memorable speeches of all time came not long back ago, when Davis won the Best Actress in a supporting role for ‘Fences’. Oh, boy, the way she talked, with this driving force, that compelled us to stand and applaud, that sent shivers down our spines, is unparalleled. Her profound sense of belongingness humbled one and all present there, and made our hearts ring with solidarity.

2. Robert Benigni (‘Life is Wonderful’)

‘Life is Beautiful’ was a revolutionary film when it first came out. The tangible emotions in the film touched one and all, and set the industry on a new course towards acceptance of foreign films. He won two Oscars that night, one for the Best Foreign film, and the other for Best Actor in a leading role, which overwhelmed his person and brought out one of the most funniest and bizarre acceptance speeches of all time. But it was the first one on the night that stood out. Ascending chairs and standing with his arms out in triumph, like he had won the world, followed by his rabbit like cadence, hoping enthusiastically to the stage, Benigni set the night alight. So good a watch! “This is a terrible mistake, because my English isn’t good.”

1. Halle Berry (‘Monster’s Ball’)

This remains the most exhilarating and iconic acceptance speech of all time. Visibly shaken and thrilled to have won the award, Berry had an instantaneous reaction of crying her heart out the moment her name was announced. Not only did she become the first woman of color to win in the leading category, she also etched her name into history books with record breaking views on her acceptance on You-tube. She just couldn’t control herself and sobbed incessantly, with only futile attempts to console her by fellow peers around her. That display of unbridled emotions is emblematic of the discrimination against black artists in the industry and their indignations against the overlooking of worthy performances. The video is so heart-felt and touching, it will give you goose bumps, just the way it did to millions watching that day. “This moment is so much bigger than me. And this is for all women of color, who have a chance with the door today being opened!”

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The Most Memorable Acceptance Speeches in Oscar History

T he most memorable Academy Awards speeches are those that stay with you long after the ceremony is over. Those that feel raw, emotional, and sometimes even a little unhinged because they are being given by someone who is genuinely shocked to hear their name called on Hollywood’s biggest night. Think Olivia Colman’s charming 2019 speech in which she ended by shouting out Lady Gaga who she spotted in the front row because, well, Lady Gaga! 

Sometimes a speech sticks in your head because the winner makes Oscar history ; it’s hard not to be moved by the heartfelt words Hattie McDaniel spoke when she became the first Black American to ever win an Oscar, for Gone With the Wind , in 1940. Other times the speech makes an unforgettable political statement, as when Indigenous actor and activist Sacheen Littlefeather accepted Marlon Brando’s Oscar for The Godfather on his behalf, in an act of protest.

From Jennifer Lawrence tripping up the stairs to Tom Hanks’ passionate tribute to the LGBTQ+ community, these are the 29 most memorable speeches in Oscar history. 

Sally Field Didn’t Say What You Thought She Said

When Sally Field won the Best Actress Oscar in 1985 for Places in the Heart, she said three words that would live in pop culture infamy: “You like me.” The Academy really did; she won the same award just five years earlier for her performance as the titular union organizer in Norma Rae. But the line from her speech that has been endlessly spoofed by everyone, including Field herself , has been remembered all wrong. She didn’t actually say, “You like me. You really like me.” She said, “I can’t deny the fact that you like me. Right now, you like me!” 

Whether you like her speech or not, Field has chosen to stop caring what anyone thinks about it. “First of all, I was winning my second Oscar,” she told New York Magazine in 2017. “So I’m allowed to say anything I f-cking want.” It’s hard to argue with a two-time Oscar winner. 

Patricia Arquette Inspires a Beautiful Meryl Streep GIF

When Patricia Arquette won Best Supporting Actress for Boyhood in 2015, she used her speech to stump for gender equality. “To every woman who gave birth. To every taxpayer and citizen of this nation,” she said. “We have fought for everybody else's equal rights. It's our time to have wage equality once and for all and equal rights for women in the United States of America.” While Arquette’s speech had its critics , she found fans in fellow nominee Meryl Streep and Jennifer Lopez, whose supportive responses turned them into the perfect GIF for those times when you need to hype yourself up.

Hattie McDaniel Makes Bittersweet History

In 1940, Gone With the Wind ’s Hattie McDaniel became the first African American to ever win an Academy Award, but she was almost not allowed to attend the ceremony. Her film’s producer David O. Selznick had to ask the then segregated Ambassador Hotel for permission to invite McDaniel, which they granted, but she was relegated to a separate table away from her white co-stars. 

Yet despite this, McDaniel, the daughter of formerly enslaved Americans, graciously thanked the Academy for their “kindness” in her Best Supporting Actress speech, which was not the one Selznick had prepared for her. She instead delivered a more personal one that she had written with help from her close friend Ruby Berkley Goodwin. “It has made me feel very, very humble, and I shall always hold it as a beacon for anything I may be able to do in the future,” McDaniel said. “I sincerely hope I shall always be a credit to my race and to the motion picture industry.”

Following her win, McDaniel would become a polarizing figure in the Black community, with some arguing that she made a career out of playing racial stereotypes. Historian Jill Watts, who wrote the 2007 biography Hattie McDaniel: Black Ambition, White Hollywood , believes McDaniel’s place in Hollywood has been misunderstood. “She's an artist who's been resisting white domination with performance—up until she becomes involved in white show business,” Watts told Entertainment Weekly last year. “If you watch those performances, she's straitjacketed [by the writing], but she's trying to move her way out of that.”

Sacheen Littlefeather Rejects Marlon Brando’s Oscar

When Marlon Brando won the Best Actor Oscar for The Godfather in 1973, he chose to boycott the ceremony, sending Apache and Yaqui actor and activist Sacheen Littlefeather in his place. The then-26-year-old respectfully refused the honor on his behalf in protest of Hollywood’s treatment and portrayal of Native Americans in film. Her speech received cheers, but also jeers from the crowd. (It has been reported that John Wayne was so angered by Littlefeather’s speech that he had to be restrained by security guards so he wouldn’t storm the stage.)

In 2022, four months before Littlefeather’s death, the Academy formally apologized to her for how she was treated that night. Littlefeather told The Guardian in 2021 that despite the boos she always knew what she had done that day was a necessary disruption. “It was not a performance, it was a real presentation,” she said. “I think that’s what took people by surprise: that it was so real. It really touches people’s hearts to this day.”

The Time the Oscars Got the Wrong Envelope

And the winner is … not La La Land . But for a few minutes in 2017, the cast and crew of the Damien Chazelle musical believed that they had won Best Picture. After all, presenter Faye Dunaway announced their film’s name as the winner. La La Land ’s producers were in the middle of giving their victory speeches when the truth was revealed: There was a mix-up with the envelopes and Moonlight had actually won the night’s top prize. It was one of the most shocking moments in Oscars history, and there are photos to prove just how flabbergasted stars like Matt Damon, Meryl Streep, and Busy Philipps felt in the moment that was very much happening live. 

Amidst all the hullabaloo, Moonlight director Barry Jenkins managed to give a speech that embraced the joy, but also the absurdity of the moment. “Very clearly, very clearly, even in my dreams, this could not be true,” he said. “But to hell with dreams, I'm done with it, 'cause this is true. Oh my goodness.” 

Joe Pesci Proves He Is a Man of Few Words

With just six words, Joe Pesci gave one of the most memorable Oscar speeches of all time. After winning Best Supporting Actor for Goodfellas in 1991, he walked up to the podium, shook his head in disbelief, and said, “It was my privilege. Thank you.” Later, when Pesci returned to the stage as a presenter, he smiled and said, “I still can’t talk,” amusing the crowd—but definitely not like a clown .

Irving Berlin Gives the Academy Award to Irving Berlin

Composer and lyricist Irving Berlin has the unique honor of handing the statue for Best Original Song to himself. In 1943, when he won the prize for his song “White Christmas” from Holiday Inn, he was also the award’s presenter. According to the Los Angeles Times , after opening the envelope and seeing his name, he told the crowd, “I’m glad to present the award. I’ve known him for a long time.”

Anna Paquin Is Nearly Speechless

Anna Paquin won Best Supporting Actress for The Piano in 1994 when she was just 11 years old, becoming one of the youngest performers to ever win an Academy Award. ( Tatum O’Neal holds the record for the youngest Oscar winner, having won Best Supporting Actress statue 20 years earlier at the age of 10 for Paper Moon .) So you can’t blame the girl for being in utter shock when she heard her name called. For nearly 23 seconds, she stood at the podium wide-eyed in her adorable bedazzled beret searching for the right words to say. It’s one of the purest displays of shock and joy you’ll ever see. 

Roberto Benigni Shows How to Make an Entrance

When Life Is Beautiful won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film (now known as the Best International Feature Film) in 1999, the Italian film’s director, writer, and star Roberto Benigni made his way to the stage by climbing over the furniture and then bunny-hopping up the stairs into the arms of presenter Sophia Loren. The bit of acrobatics earned him a standing ovation, but he was too excited to even notice, telling the crowd, “I want to kiss everybody.” With all of that energy, we wouldn’t have put it past him to do it. 

Bong Joon Ho Pays Tribute to Martin Scorsese

By the time Bong Joon Ho had won Best Director for 2019’s Parasite , he had already collected awards for Best Original Screenplay and Best International Feature. So it was no surprise he wanted to talk about someone other than himself when he reached the podium that third time. “When I was young and studying cinema there was a saying that I carved deep into my heart, which is, ‘The most personal is the most creative,’” he said with help from his translator Sharon Choi. “That quote was from our great Martin Scorsese .” The line earned Scorsese, who was nominated for The Irishman, a standing ovation and showed just how much he means to a new generation of filmmakers. 

Halle Berry Knew the Moment Was Bigger Than Her

In 2002, Halle Berry became the first Black woman to win Best Actress, for her film Monster’s Ball. In her speech she paid tribute to those who came before her, including Dorothy Dandridge , who, in 1955, became the first African American woman nominated in that category. And those actresses who stood beside her in the fight for equality in Hollywood: Jada Pinkett Smith, Angela Bassett, Vivica A. Fox. “This moment is so much bigger than me,” Berry said through tears, adding, “It’s for every nameless, faceless woman of color that now has a chance because this door tonight has been opened.”

Olivia Colman Is All of Us

Olivia Colman didn’t expect to win Best Actress for The Favourite in 2019 so, lucky for us, she hadn’t prepared a speech. Instead, when she got to the stage, she admitted how stressful award shows can be, apologized to fellow nominee (and projected winner) Glenn Close for stealing her thunder, and blew a kiss to Lady Gaga. All in all it may go down as the most relatable speech in Academy Awards history.

Adrien Brody’s Cringeworthy Kiss

In 2003, 29-year-old Adrien Brody went home with a little gold man for his Best Actor win for The Pianist , becoming the youngest actor to ever take home that prize . But not before stealing a kiss from his category’s presenter Halle Berry. “I bet they didn’t tell you that was in the gift bag,” he said after the off-the-cuff embrace, which reads as completely cringe now. 

Brody called the kiss one of the “most memorable moments ever. You could say time slowed down,” he told Vanity Fair in 2017. But Berry told Watch What Happens Live in 2017 that she was completely taken aback by the non-consensual smooch. “I was like, ‘What the f-ck is happening right now?!’” she joked. “And because I was there the year before and I know the feeling of being out of your body, I just f-cking went with it.” Maybe Berry deserves a second Oscar for that performance.

Rita Moreno Keeps it Short and Sweet

Rita Moreno made history when she won the Best Supporting Actress statue for West Side Story in 1962. Moreno, who is Puerto Rican, became the first Latina to win an acting Oscar. She also gave one of the shortest speeches in Academy Award history, saying just 11 words in seven seconds: “I can't believe it! Good Lord. I leave you with that.” 

In 2022, Moreno told the New York Times that she was convinced that Judy Garland was going to win the prize for her performance in Judgment at Nuremberg , and was even practicing her “loser face” for when the camera inevitably panned to her. But, when she won, she decided that she wasn’t going to thank anyone. “They didn’t give you the part as a favor,” she remembered thinking. “They were forced to give it to you because you did the best screen test.” Once she made that decision, she realized she didn’t have anything else to say. “And,” she told the Times. “I’ve been trying to make up for it with long acceptance speeches ever since.”

Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová Get a Second Try

The Once songwriters won for Best Original Song in 2008, but only Glen Hansard was able to give a speech. Just as Markéta Irglová stepped in front of the microphone, the orchestra began playing the duo off the stage. Luckily, host Jon Stewart invited Irglová back to the podium so she could get a chance to deliver a lovely dedication to all the dreamers out there. “The fact that we’re standing here tonight, the fact that we’re able to hold this [award] is just proof that no matter how far out your dreams are, it’s possible,” she said. “Fair play to those who dare to dream, and don’t give up.” 

James Cameron Becomes King of the Oscars

Titanic ruled the 1998 Academy Awards, taking home 11 awards, tying it with 1959’s Ben-Hur for most wins . ( Lord of the Rings: Return of the King has since joined those two films, tyingthat record in 2004.) Perhaps all that gold went to Cameron’s head. In his Best Director speech, he quoted his film’s iconic “I’m king of the world” line and barked like a dog. Almost immediately, Cameron regretted the self-referential choice. “[Warren Beatty] was just looking at me like, ‘You poor boob, what the f-ck did you just do?'” he told the Hollywood Reporter in 2023. “And I went, ‘Oh, was that not cool? OK.’”

Jennifer Lawrence’s Oscar-worthy Trip and Fall

After winning Best Actress for Silver Linings Playbook in 2013, Jennifer Lawrence stumbled on her way to the Oscar stage. Her beautiful floor-length Dior gown may have tripped her up, but she didn’t miss a beat once she finally got to the podium. “You guys are just standing up because you feel bad that I fell and that's really embarrassing,” she said. “But thank you. This is nuts.”

Ben Affleck and Matt Damon Get Hyped

Childhood besties Ben Affleck and Matt Damon were in their twenties when they won their first Oscar for Best Original Screenplay in 1998. (At 25, Affleck became the youngest person to ever win an Academy Award for screenwriting.) So when the Good Will Hunting writers took the stage, they couldn’t hide their youth. “I just said to Matt, losing would suck and winning would be really scary,” Affleck said to open their speech. “It's really, really scary.” Perhaps, that’s why Affleck’s voice cracked as he thanked everyone they knew including their moms, who were also their dates.

Michelle Yeoh Proves Age Is Just a Number

In 2023, Michelle Yeoh became the first Southeast Asian woman to win Best Actress for her performance in Everything Everywhere All At Once . “For all the little boys and girls who look like me watching tonight, this is a beacon of hope and possibilities,” she said. “This is proof that dreams dream big, and dreams do come true.” But the 60-year-old actress also gave a special shoutout to those women of a certain age. “And, ladies,” she said. “Don't let anybody tell you you are ever past your prime.” 

Michael Moore Gets Political and Gets Booed

When Michael Moore won Best Documentary for Bowling For Columbine in 2003 , he decided to get political with his speech. Many in the crowd, however, seemed uninterested in hearing his opinions on President George W. Bush, booing at the first mention of the U.S.’s invasion of Iraq to destroy weapons of mass destruction, which had happened only days earlier. The less than supportive reaction didn’t stop the director from admonishing the Commander in Chief. “We are against this war, Mr. Bush!” Moore shouted just as the music began to play him off. “Shame on you, Mr. Bush! Shame on you!” 

In a 2017 op-ed for the Hollywood Reporter , Moore wrote that despite the criticisms of his speech at the time, he knows that he was right to speak out against the U.S. government's false claims that Iraq had WMDs . “People would later remember,” he wrote, “I’m ‘that guy who told the truth.’”

Sidney Poitier’s Speech Lives up to the Moment

Sidney Poitier ’s 1964 win for Best Actor in Lilies of the Field marked the first time a Black man had ever won in that category. It was a monumental win for the man who broke the color barrier in Hollywood , becoming a matinee idol who played characters that explored the full Black experience at a time when Black actors were too often expected to play racist stereotypes. 

“Because it is a long journey to this moment I am naturally indebted to countless numbers of people,” Poitier said before thanking his Lilies of the Field director and co-stars, as well as the members of the Academy. “For all of them, all I can say is a very special thank you.”

Jack Palance Shows Why You Shouldn’t Skip Arm Day

At the age of 73, Jack Palance won Best Actor in a Supporting Role for City Slickers . He celebrated his 1992 win by doing three one-armed push ups on stage to let Hollywood know that he wasn’t planning on slowing down anytime soon. And he didn’t; he appeared in nine more movies before his death in 2006 at the age of 87. 

Viola Davis Proves Why She’s the GOAT

Viola Davis began her 2017 Best Supporting Actress speech for Fences in the cemetery. “You know, there's one place that all the people with the greatest potential are gathered. One place. And that's the graveyard,” she said. “People ask me all the time, ‘What kind of stories do you want to tell, Viola?’ And I say, exhume those bodies. Exhume those stories.” She went on to explain that as an actor she gets to tell the stories of those ordinary people who live phenomenal lives. It’s only fitting then that she ended her emotional speech by thanking her parents, “the people who taught me, good or bad, how to fail, how to love, how to hold an award, how to lose.” It also seems that they taught her how to give a speech for the ages.

Ruth Gordon’s Win Boosts Her Ego

Ruth Gordon made her film debut in 1915, but it took another 50 years for her to win an Oscar. In 1969, when she won Best Actress in a Supporting Role for Rosemary’s Baby, she admitted that the little gold man was a boost to her self-esteem. “I can't tell you how encouragin' a thing like this is,” she told the audience, before thanking those who voted for her. “And all of you who didn't,” she said, “please excuse me.”

Marion Cotillard’s Perfect Hollywood Ending

Marion Cotillard began her 2008 Best Actress speech for the Edith Piaf biopic La Vie en Rose by telling the crowd that she was speechless. The French actress then went on to deliver a speech so quotable that it felt as if it had been written by a Hollywood screenwriter. “Thank you life, thank you love,” she said in English. “And it is true, there is some angels in this city.”

Denzel Washington’s Honors Sidney Poitier With Grace & Humor

Nearly 40 years after Sidney Poitier’s historic Best Actor win, Denzel Washington became the second Black man to take home the prize. (He had previously won for Supporting Actor in Glory in 1990.) Fittingly, Washington’s 2002 win happened on the same night Poitier received his honorary Oscar, a bit of happenstance that the Training Day actor just couldn’t ignore. “Forty years I've been chasing Sidney, they finally give it to me, what'd they do? They give it to him the same night,” he joked before gracefully paying tribute to the icon. “I'll always be chasing you, Sidney. I'll always be following in your footsteps,” he said. “There's nothing I would rather do, sir. Nothing I would rather do.”

Cuba Gooding Jr. Won’t Be Played Off

When Cuba Gooding Jr. won Best Supporting Actor for Jerry Maguire in 1997 , he knew he didn’t have much time. “I'm gonna rush and say everybody, and you cut away, I won't be mad at you,” he said. And when the Academy attempted to play him off, he just kept going, screaming his thank yous loud enough to be heard over the orchestra. Gooding’s career hasn’t reached similar heights since then, and in 2022 he pleaded guilty to a harassment charge. But all these years later, it remains one of the most exuberant speeches in Oscars history.

Tilda Swinton Thanks George Clooney and His Bat-Nipples

Tilda Swinton began her 2008 Best Supporting Actress speech by admitting that her agent looked very much like an Oscar. “Truly the same shape head,” she said. “And, it has to be said, the buttocks.” She ended it by thanking her Michael Clayton costar George Clooney for “the seriousness and the dedication to your art. Seeing you climb into that rubber bat suit from Batman & Robin , the one with the nipples, every morning under your costume, on the set, off the set, hanging upside-down at lunch,” she said. “You rock, man.” For many, it was a charming introduction to an actress whose talent knows no bounds—nor, apparently, do her speeches. 

Tom Hanks Brings the Audience to Tears

In 1994, Tom Hanks won Best Actor for Philadelphia , in which he plays an attorney who faces discrimination because he is gay and has AIDS. Hanks seemed to understand the importance of this moment and used it to pay tribute to his high school drama teacher Rawley Farnsworth and his classmate John Gilkerson. “Two of the finest gay Americans, two wonderful men that I had the good fortune to be associated with, to fall under their inspiration at such a young age,” he said. “I wish my babies could have the same sort of teacher, the same sort of friends.”

Hanks then eulogized AIDS victims including Gilkerson, an actor and puppeteer who died in 1989. “The streets of heaven are too crowded with angels,” he said with tears in his eyes. “We know their names.” 

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The 50 Greatest Awards-Show Speeches of the Last 55 Years

The best acceptance moments make or break careers, cement fandoms, and spark blind items..

This article was featured in One Great Story , New York ’s reading recommendation newsletter. Sign up here to get it nightly.

The entire room was holding its collective breath when Olivia Colman beat odds-favorite Glenn Close to the Best Actress Oscar in 2019. Close had long been expected to win the season’s biggest prize for her performance in The Wife — a movie in which she plays the wife of all wives — having already taken home the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Drama and other precursor awards. Colman also won a Golden Globe that year, for Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy , for her part as the gouty, manipulated Queen Anne in The Favourite , and her tipsy speech (in which she thanked her “bitches” and extolled private jets) fortified what prognosticators already thought: Colman was funny, but Close was the serious winner. Until she wasn’t. In the face of such upset, what would Colman say?

Looking out onto a crowd she didn’t expect to face, Colman reached for the truth: to win, she said, is “ genuinely quite stressful ,” before admitting, through gasps and tears, it’s also “hilarious.” It’s an accurate two-part description of the general allure of awards shows, which can present moments both laughable and genuinely thrilling. We anticipate the Oscars and its kindred ceremonies for their red carpets and host monologues and cinematic montages and the times when Queen Latifah sings something, but we endure the hours-long award-show broadcasts for the psychic whiplash of acceptance speeches, when the polished Hollywood stars we admire are caught earnestly surprised, gracious, or moved to tears — or, just as captivating, when they perform surprise, gratitude, and deeply felt emotion and make it all seem genuine. Even the most choreographed of speeches embrace the power of pure spectacle, becoming windows into souls that are, at their core, either deeply beholden to the people who helped them along the way or deeply vengeful toward the people who didn’t help them along the way. Some of the best read like blind items forming live on our TV screens.

Back at the Oscars, Colman eventually composed herself and delivered a heartfelt and perfectly meandering ode to Close, Colman’s kids, her husband of 25 years, her agent, little girls practicing speeches in front of the telly, some people at Fox, Yorgos Lanthimos and her aforementioned “bitches” castmates, and, for no apparent reason other than she’s sitting in the front row of the audience, Lady Gaga — every appreciation customized for the subject and punctuated by genuine physical outbursts, as though her ecstatic brain was warring with her stunned body. It is a spectacle you can’t peel your eyes from that builds with tension until she blows a kiss to Ally Maine and relinquishes the stage to, as promised, snog anyone she forgot to acknowledge. Like any unforgettable speech giver, she managed to meet the high-stakes moment in which she found herself.

Watching as many acceptance speeches as we have as hosts of a podcast with the name “Oscar” in it , we’ve come to appreciate the specific qualities that separate the merely adequate awards-ceremony speeches (from nearly every male performer) from the truly special ones (from actresses, plus certain ornery old men and at least one rabble-rousing documentarian). The greatest acceptance speeches are enthusiastic like Colman’s without verging into inscrutability (sorry, Roberto Benigni ), though exceptions exist for speeches that are so low energy it’s the gag. They are quotable, with at least one defining line of speech, even if it’s the only line of speech (see Nos. 31 and 23 on this list). Sincerity in a speech is more important than the message; it’s why a baffling but believable reaction to winning an Oscar is cemented in our brains before the ones that are dutifully gracious or that perfunctorily advocate for something beyond the recipient’s own skills. (Although everyone loves a scorched-earth speech — see No. 14 on this list). And, of course, the prestige level of the award show itself matters; a memorable speech at the Oscars can outrank one of the same caliber at the Globes, because the pins-and-needles suspense at the pinnacle of awards season only ups the ante of the viewing experience. At the same time, a precursor speech of lower standing can tip the scales of an Oscar campaign, and we recognized those too. (In the interest of variety, we also only considered one speech per actor per awards cycle; sorry, Colman’s breathy “hi” at the Globes, but her breathy “hi” at the Oscars was better.)

This year, an already dense awards season will see the Emmys wedged in between the Golden Globes and the Academy Awards, so what better time to revisit unforgettable awards-season moments by acknowledging the 50 speeches of the last 55 years? (To be eligible for this list, speeches needed to be archived somewhere online, and the earliest recording here dates back to 1969.) While the Grammys will also be broadcast next month, we’re keeping this ranking to screen and stage awards (the MTV movie awards qualify, but the VMAs do not), where the art of the acceptance speech has been perfected by stars who make a living performing dialogue and the filmmakers and craftspeople who make them look good doing it. (Speeches by below-the-line artists were eligible for this list, but our final 50 ended up favoring the performers of Hollywood.) And remember, this ranking is about speeches , not bits. Winona Ryder mugging behind David Harbour’s SAG Ensemble speech for Stranger Things ? Good meme, beautiful meme, but you won’t see Harbour’s acceptance moment celebrated here.

50. Patti LuPone, 62nd Tony Awards (2008)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role, Gypsy

The Tony Awards are where we’re most reliably reminded that “Stars, they are not like us. Its recipients are accustomed to not only the spotlight but commanding a theater of people eight times a week. Take, for example, Patti LuPone, who in 2008 won the second of her three Tonys as Mama Rose in a revival of Gypsy . It was her first win in nearly three decades, despite boasting one of the most revered careers in the American theater. With a sense of glory and triumph usually reserved for horn sections, LuPone amended a prepared speech from a previous loss (hilarious!) and trilled through an inventory of thank-yous that spanned multiple theater companies and professionals, up to and including the ghosts of the St. James Theatre. But as one of Broadway’s grand dames, naturally she still comes off as earnest and heartfelt doing it. When the orchestra begins to play over her speech (we’ll have more of those, just wait), she’s affable to it at first, but then she erupts like an ocean squall full of pent-up Tony losses and earned litigiousness toward Andrew Lloyd Webber: “Shut up! It’s been 29 years!”

49. Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, 70th Academy Awards (1998)

Best Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen, Good Will Hunting

Speaking of yelling: Sometimes when you win an award, the Boston jumps out. The otherwise prim quality of an awards ceremony can favor a speech where the winner’s enthusiasm and wide-eyed disbelief are at full volume. Here, Affleck and Damon maintain the composure expected in a ceremony like the Oscars (Affleck even says the words “We’re fortunate enough to be involved with a lot of great people upon whom it’s incumbent upon us to thank”) … before basically ending their speech doing keg stands. Like a pair of brothers with a fancy new toy, their thank-yous get louder, more tangled, more manic. Producers are great! Moms are beautiful! Their hometown is everything! Affleck’s voice eventually cracks and the effusion comes to a halt. They really were just two young guys!

48. Ving Rhames, 55th Golden Globe Awards (1998)

Best Actor — Miniseries or Television Film, Don King: Only in America

Over the years, the Golden Globes has earned a reputation for being the awards show where all the craziest shit happens. And that reputation was probably formed around the time Ving Rhames tried to give his best actor trophy to Jack Lemmon. The entire moment is a generosity battle between two unyielding mensches. First of all, Rhames is endearingly formal in asking “Mr. Jack Lemmon” to emerge from the crowd and take the stage. Lemmon is in a daze as he takes the long route to the stage. Rhames tells Lemmon he’s not going to give him the Globe — so as not to scare him off, then gives Lemmon the award as soon as he arrives at the mic. At this point, Lemmon’s basically playing one of his everyman characters, trying to figure out in real time whether the right thing to do is hand the award back or accept Rhames’s gesture in the spirit in which it was intended. Meanwhile, in the audience, Goldie Hawn is in tears, Jodie Foster is laughing her ass off, and Jack Nicholson is cheekily suggesting Lemmon pass the award to him next. Despite the “you take it, no you take it” tug-of-war that nearly ends with the statue getting dropped, both Rhames and Lemmon ultimately combine for an incredible tandem speech. Rhames brings emotion (the tears come quickly and don’t stop) and the elegance (a Stanislavsky quote). You get the sense that only someone as emotionally open as Rhames would have ever made the gesture, and only someone as seasoned as Lemmon could have rolled with the punch.

47. Susan Lucci, 26th Daytime Emmy Awards (1999)

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, All My Children

The occasion of Susan Lucci finally winning a Daytime Emmy after 18 previous nominations failed to result in a statue would have been enough to enshrine this moment in awards-show history. But Lucci went on to deliver a speech worthy of soap opera history, too. After lapping up the absolute pandemonium of the crowd (Rosie O’Donnell weeping; Oprah Winfrey hollering from the wings of the stage) for nearly 90 seconds, smiling, gasping, squealing, and bursting with “I can’t believe it’s,” Lucci eventually thanks the audience, her husband and kids, and the team at All My Children . But she gets into an oratory groove when she mentions that she was originally seen by casting directors as merely an “ethnic type,” only good enough to appear every other Tuesday. Lucci then points to Agnes Nixon, the great matriarch of daytime drama, for “changing the face of our medium” — placing her own struggle for legitimacy in the historical context of soaps’ perpetual uphill climb for industry respect. And she’s right to do so — Lucci’s quest for a long-awaited Daytime Emmy helped legitimize the awards by giving them a level of intrigue every year. And by the end of the speech, she might as well be standing in the middle of Pine Valley’s town square. She’s fully slipped into Erica Kane’s version of magnanimity, standing proudly beneath the stage lights, promising her legions of fans that she’ll be back at work with them on Monday.

46. Lin-Manuel Miranda, 62nd Tony Awards (2008)

Best Original Score, In the Heights

On any list of polarizing figures and acquired tastes in musical theater, there is Lin-Manuel Miranda, whose style of rapping has become as omnipresent at the Tonys as the phrase “the Shubert organization.” It’s easy to find his energy infectious, this fresh young face taking Broadway by storm, the look of awe still there on said face. You could, at the same time, find his schtick cringey, the Wesleyan try-hard pirouetting out as he nods to Thomas Kail “for keepin’ the engine burnin’, for being so discernin’.” But there’s an undeniable energy to his first Tony win as he tremulously freestyled his thank-yous, crescendoing with shout-outs to Stephen Sondheim and Puerto Rico. You need only look at the ensuing years of Tony Awards full of Neil Patrick Harris spitting L.M.M.-penned rhymes at the end of the show to see how this speech resonated.

45. Patty Duke, 22nd Primetime Emmy Awards (1970)

Outstanding Single Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role, My Sweet Charlie

There’s nothing like watching a celebrated performer suck the inflated pomp and circumstance out of a room with their sheer magnetic intensity. Patty Duke does so by taking the stage and making the audience soak in her silence — something you’ll almost never hear during an awards ceremony! Soon after she arrives at the mic, she raises a flattened hand to her brow to wordlessly investigate the audience only to utter the words, “You, Mom. Happy birthday.” (No exclamation point.) The dead air she inserts on either side of an eventual word — “enthusiasm” — turns her minimalist intensity into a fine art. And even as it dips into the slightly bizarre, she never loses our attention.

44. Rue McClanahan, 39th Primetime Emmy Awards (1987)

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy, The Golden Girls

When Ben Affleck won Best Picture for Argo , he said to endure in Hollywood as he had, you can’t hold grudges. But he said it in a way that sounded like he’d very much been holding onto some real grudges. He’d have been better off accepting his Oscar by showing a video of Rue McClanahan’s speech from 1987. After winning for her role on The Golden Girls , McClanahan recalled her mother’s advice that “Every kick’s a boost.” And to the ones who gave her kicks along the way, Rue — eyes darting and narrowing in a genuinely intimidating rhythm, fingers massaging her rings, that Southern voice purring as was her signature sound onscreen — assured them they’d be “in the book.”

43. James Cameron, 70th Academy Awards (1998)

Best Director, Titanic

This is a list of the greatest speeches, though not necessarily the most innately likable ones. James Cameron’s brand of cheerful self-regard, which he carried with him throughout Titanic ’s full-steam-ahead push in the 1997 awards season, wasn’t always the most endearing. But when he capped off his best director win by earnestly quoting his own character, Jack Dawson, with an “I’m the king of the world!” — his howls echoing through the Shrine Auditorium — he was the triumphant auteur incarnate. Sure, he sounded like he was shoving it in the face of all the other movies that got steamrolled by Titanic that year, but if you can’t feel on top of the world when you’re winning an Oscar, when can you?

42. Sharon Stone, 53rd Golden Globe Awards (1996)

Best Actress in a Motion Picture — Drama, Casino

For as much as Sharon Stone got kicked around Hollywood, with everyone from critics to comedians acting like she was some kind of bad actress after Basic Instinct , she’d be forgiven for thinking it a miracle that she’d get this award over the likes of Meryl Streep, Emma Thompson, and the eventual Oscar winner in her category that year, Susan Sarandon. Stone’s speech makes the list for two reasons: first, the pitch-perfect comic timing when Stone, fumbling for how to begin this unlikely acceptance, finally fixes her eyes on the audience and deadpans, “Okay, it’s a miracle.” And the unvarnished yet still appreciative way she thanks people like Martin Scorsese who made “room for the breadth and annoying moments of my uncontrollable passion.” We love candid self-awareness.

41. Steven Soderbergh, 73rd Academy Awards (2001)

Best Director, Traffic

In recent years, as Oscar telecast producers have gotten more stringent about limiting their broadcast’s runtimes, they have used the occasion of the nominees’ luncheon to screen Soderbergh’s 2001 acceptance as an ideal speech. It’s brief (under a minute), it says something meaningful about art, and thanks anybody out there “who spends part of their day creating.” Most importantly, it eschews the laundry list of names that ceremony producers just cannot stand. In general, this ranking endeavors to celebrate exactly the kind of speeches that Oscars producers say they don’t want, but we have to admit, Soderbergh is quite eloquent in his brevity. Here’s to those who create!

40. Marion Cotillard, 80th Academy Awards (2008)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role, La Vie en Rose

Quick, say “Thank you, love; thank you, life” to the first person you find in an unironic beret and they will surely tell you that it’s true there are some angels in this city. At the 80th Academy Awards ceremony, a then new-to-English and new er -to-awards Cotillard brims with the gratitude and possibility of a child witnessing their first snowfall. You can’t blame her zeal — her performance as Édith Piaf in La Vie en Rose was the first performance in the French language to win a best actress statue, and no one could have predicted her win even after smaller roles in a few American movies. Cotillard was running neck-and-neck with Julie Christie for the win, and clearly Cotillard was taken by surprise to be declared the victor. The triumph blends the best of two awards-speech worlds: profound honesty and accidental quotability. “You rocked my life!”

39. Taraji P. Henson, 23rd Screen Actors Guild Awards (2017)

Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture, Hidden Figures

Speeches can achieve greatness for their level of contagious pep, or for the recipient’s simple talent for speaking, and Taraji P. Henson’s acceptance on behalf of her Hidden Figures cast is an example of both. But what it most resoundingly delivers is something that many speeches aim for and miss: a galvanizing message at exactly the moment we need to hear it. Succinctly speaking to the film’s real-life subjects as inspirational figures for finding solutions in times of infinite problems, Henson gave a response to the 2016 electoral elephant in the room without even having to invoke him by name. “This story is about unity, this story is about what happens when we put our differences aside and we come together as a human race.” SAG Ensemble prizes are often love fests, but Henson seized the moment and it was anything but an accident.

38. Tiffany Haddish, 84th New York Film Critics Circle Awards, 2018

Best Supporting Actress, Girls Trip

By the miracle of Vulture’s own Alison Willmore, there exists video evidence of Tiffany Haddish’s incredible 17-minute acceptance speech. Which means we’re clear to include this NYFCC award on our list. Haddish openly flirts with Michael B. Jordan; chats at length about the giant many-armed goddess statue at the ceremony’s venue, TAO; gives a line reading from Girls Trip that Universal demanded be cut; and wonders why critics don’t have another TV show like Siskel and Ebert did. It is a marathon, not a sprint, and Haddish held court the entire time, displaying her star power as sure as any onscreen performance could. Speeches like this one (and the annual Governor Awards that celebrate lifetime achievement in the film industry) don’t put time constraints on recipients, and are a reminder that if the speaker is captivating enough, we’ll watch them for as long as they want to keep speaking. And if they speak long enough, they might make a joke about wearing “God’s panties,” and that’s when it gets really special.

37. James Hong, 29th Screen Actors Guild Awards (2023)

Best Performance by an Ensemble in a Film, Everything Everywhere All at Once 

The great thing about SAG’s ensemble award is that it allows some of the cast members who haven’t been singled out for individual awards to get their moment in the spotlight. That was never better than when 94-year-old James Hong accepted on behalf of his Everything Everywhere All at Once cast in 2023. Hong began by speaking Cantonese “in case they broadcast us in Hong Kong,” then pulled some classic grandpa “I remember my first movie was with Clark Gable” business. But Hong followed that up with a harsh reminder of Hollywood’s racist past, when Asian characters were played by white men with slanted-eye makeup. Hong’s rebuke was a welcome dash of vinegar to keep Hollywood from being too self-congratulatory over finally awarding Asian actors like Michelle Yeoh and Ke Huy Quan.

36. Rita Moreno, 29th Tony Awards (1975)

Best Featured Actress in a Play, The Ritz

Not only did Moreno practically samba her way onto the stage to accept her Tony Award in a stunning fashion turban, but she did so with bracing honesty. “I’m the leading lady of The Ritz , I am not a supporting actress,” she said about her performance as heavily accented bathhouse performer Googie Gomez in Terrence McNally’s pre-AIDS sex farce. It was a not-so-subtle jab at the powers that be for putting her into a lesser category. Good natured as always, Moreno points out, as Ms. Gomez might have said: “Listen, honey, the only thing I support in that show is my beads!”

35. Tilda Swinton, 80th Academy Awards (2008)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role, Michael Clayton

Tilda Swinton is a one-of-a-kind performer, and so she also delivered a one-of-a-kind acceptance speech. By that I mean, one curiously obsessed with anatomy. She kicks off her speech (clearly flummoxed, but in a totally chill Tilda Swinton way) by saying she’ll give the trophy to its doppelgänger, her agent, who looks like it in all physical attributes including, “It has to be said, the buttocks.” Then, when thanking her Michael Clayton collaborators, she calls out George Clooney’s Batman nipples as the inspiration that they are. You could give the art-world-borne Swinton points for being the most high-toned person in the room, but she wasn’t above this . Typically steelish and composed when speaking publicly, it’s oddly affecting to see Swinton with her guard down.

34. Denzel Washington, 74th Academy Awards (2002)

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role, Training Day

We’re going to say it a lot on this list, but so much of what goes into a great speech is a sense of occasion: delivering the right speech, with the right tone, at the right time, with the spotlight on you. Denzel Washington knew that Sidney Poitier would be in the audience when he accepted his Oscar. Poitier was an icon to Washtinton and to that date was the only Black performer to win an Oscar for a leading role. Both Washington and Halle Berry would join those ranks in 2002, and Washington used his speech to build a bridge from Poitier’s groundbreaking career to his own, and in doing so, helped to crystallize one of that night’s most historic narratives. “I’ll always be chasing you, Sidney,” Washington said, beaming. “I’ll always be following in your footsteps, sir. There’s nothing I would rather do.”

33. Ruth Gordon, 41st Academy Awards (1969)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role, Rosemary’s Baby

One interesting element of speech writing is finding your own unique way of stating “thank you” without using those two words. Ruth Gordon, after years in the business, opened with this phrasing: “I can’t tell you how encouraging a thing like this is!” An Oscar, she hints, is simply the nicest pat on the back to emerging talent like her. The riotous laughter and applause she garnered is proof the succinct bit landed perfectly.

32. Ingrid Bergman, 47th Academy Awards (1975)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role, Murder on the Orient Express

“It’s always very nice to get an Oscar” is the neatest way to begin any awards speech. In fact, it should be mandatory for all repeat winners, like an AMPAS pledge of allegiance. (See also: costume designer Sandy Powell’s “I’ve already got two of these.”) But third time winner and screen legend Ingrid Bergman’s acceptance for Murder on the Orient Express is even more wonderful for how she spends the rest of the speech either celebrating fellow nominee Valentina Cortese or lamenting how she doesn’t quite understand how Oscars rules work for international films.

31. Joe Pesci, 63rd Academy Awards (1991)

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role, Goodfellas

Sometimes, the brevity of an acceptance speech can be read as shade (take, for example, Alfred Hitchcock accepting his honorary Oscar with a curt “Thank you” and a quick exit) or a symptom of confusion (hello, Gloria Grahame ). But the famously press-shy Pesci’s version of the simple hat tip was the gentleman’s version: “It was my privilege.” It was poetry that acknowledged his appreciation of his industry and his peers without skimping on the showmanship. Brief but full-bodied, like a shot of bourbon.

30. Sutton Foster, 65th Tony Awards (2011)

Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical, Anything Goes

Please give Sutton Foster another Tony so that she can give us an update on her former dresser Julien Havard who was leaving her next week (which was a great thing!!) to pursue his dream as an artist on Cape Cod.

29. Robin Williams, Eighth Critics’ Choice Awards (2003)

Best Actor, One Hour Photo

How does a loser give the most memorable speech of an awards ceremony? He just has to be Robin Williams. In the early days of the Critics’ Choice Awards, categories only held three nominees. When a tie occurred between Jack Nicholson for About Schmidt and Daniel Day-Lewis for Gangs of New York , rascal extraordinaire Nicholson called the unawarded Williams (for One Hour Photo ) to the stage. Williams then gave a speech to cheers that thanked the Irish people, mocked the ceremony’s set design, referenced Buddhism, and called Jack so thrilled “He could drop a log.” It’s so wild that it manages to make Day-Lewis seem painfully square, Nicholson seem so disarmed as to shed his trademark awards-show sunglasses, and presenter Salma Hayek seem like the only person in Hollywood able to corral them all.

28. Julia Louis-Dreyfus, 65th Primetime Emmy Awards (2013)

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy, Veep

Comedy bits as acceptance speeches can work, but the risk-reward ratio is daunting. For when they fail, they fail miserably. The secret sauce is commitment, which Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Tony Hale possessed in spades when they opted to accept Louis-Dreyfus’s award in character, with Hale playing his Veep flunky. They didn’t cheat or giggle or give any indication that the ceremony was taking place in anything but some weird in-between space where reality and Veep have converged for the length of this one acceptance speech. As the series went on, that convergence felt permanent.

27. Jack Nicholson, 56th Golden Globe Awards (1999)

Cecil B. DeMille Award

Just a year prior to receiving his lifetime achievement award, Nicholson had taken the stage to accept an award for As Good As It Gets and paid tribute to his co-nominee Jim Carrey by literally talking out of his butt , Ace Ventura –style. The 1999 version of Nicholson was more demure, but only by a degree. At the 1999 Golden Globes ceremony, Nicholson reminisced on the good old days before the awards were televised, when Joan Crawford grabbed her own breasts onstage (“In my day, we had ’em”) and Rita Hayworth flipped her dress up over her head. It’s Jack in prime “life of the party” form, regaling you with tales like we were all courtside at a Lakers game. He takes some friendly shots at presenter and pal Warren Beatty, too, and delivers one perfectly executed joke about his agent (“… His name escapes me”). ) This is old-school Hollywood at its finest, and most unfiltered. And in feeling free to tell his ribald tales, Nicholson manages to be his most sincere. Even his acknowledgement of his advancing years is met with a joke (the “fear of the shroud”) and a reminder to the room that he’s still ready to work.

26. Renée Zellweger, 92nd Academy Awards (2020)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role, Judy

Renée Zellweger’s second Oscars speech gloriously derailed, transforming from a well-meaning listing-off of her heroes to a communication from a fugue state. Neil Armstrong gives way to Dolores Huerta and Venus, Serena, and Selena. Bob Dylan! India, disillusionment, silence. The dreams we used to say, the house we spent away. Ever the class act, Zellweger finds her point again, making the whole thing positively Garlandian.

25. Fred Rogers, 24th Daytime Emmy Awards (1997)

Lifetime Achievement Award

What makes a tear-jerker speech worthy of accolades? Given the preponderance of award recipients who thank their spouses and children and parents and mentors, it’s not exactly difficult to find an acceptance moment that tugs at wholesome heartstrings. But there’s low-hanging sentiment and then there’s Mr. Rogers. His call for ten seconds of silence “To think of the people who helped you become the people you are” was a classic Fred Rogers gambit. And wouldn’t you know, he had Linda Dano weeping in the crowd.

24. Jane Fonda, 44th Academy Awards (1972)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role, Klute

Fonda was no stranger to memorable awards-show stage appearances, whether she was signing in ASL for her second Oscar win for Coming Home or standing proud with a Mount Everest of hair as she accepted on behalf of her ailing father, Henry Fonda, for his On Golden Pond performance. But the most striking speech is the one she made after her first win for Klute , loaded in its simplicity — and therefore deeply quotable. This was months before her controversial visit to Hanoi, but she was already well-established as an antiwar activist, much to Hollywood’s discomfort. But instead of using her time at the mic to speak specifically to the activism she cared about, she let these words linger in the room instead: “There is a great deal to say and I’m not going to say it tonight.” There would continue to be a great deal to say, to say the least.

23. Merritt Wever, 65th Primetime Emmy Awards (2013)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, Nurse Jackie

The single greatest quick speech of all time came from a shock Emmy win for underdog contender Merritt Wever, facing stiff competition and clearly unprepared for victory. Whether Wever genuinely did not want to be in the situation or was simply yes-anding the surprise of her own win to comedic effect, her “I gotta go, bye” will absolutely go down in awards-ceremony history.

22. Meryl Streep, 74th Golden Globe Awards (2017)

Donald Trump’s election was a fresh wound when Meryl Streep, hoarse from protesting, took the stage to accept her lifetime achievement award from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. Streep took the occasion to blast the president — without ever uttering his name — for the cruelty of his politics, as well as his recently instituted travel ban on people from Muslim-majority countries. Streep took a tour of the ballroom at the Beverly Hilton and cited the birthplaces of everyone from Viola Davis to Ryan Gosling to Dev Patel — “outsiders and immigrants” partially responsible for the stories being celebrated that night. Sure, it wasn’t hard to whip up the spirits of a sympathetic room, but her staunch defense of compassion and multiculturalism gave focus and clarity to Hollywood’s anti-Trump movement — she’d be nominated a year later for the politically timely The Post — and earned her a place on the then-president’s shit list.

21. Ally Sheedy, 14th Independent Spirit Awards (1999)

Best Actress, High Art

“OHHH MYYY GODDDDD!” was how Ally Sheedy began her acceptance speech, after literally crawling up onto the stage and locking best pal and presenter Rosanna Arquette into an unbreakable embrace. Sheedy, an icon of ’80s movies like The Breakfast Club but largely forgotten by the time she starred in Lisa Cholodenko’s 1998 lesbian drama, High Art , physically demonstrated just how impossible it felt to claw her way back to industry recognition. And whatever emotional or chemical state she was in at the time, she was not going to relinquish that spotlight. Sheedy spoke, hollered, laughed, and cried for ten full minutes, highlighting the Spirits’ anti-Oscars vibe while at the same time guaranteeing this career resurgence of hers would live on in some way.

20. Kirstie Alley, 43rd Primetime Emmy Awards (1991)

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, Cheers

To say that Kirstie Alley was a peculiar personality in her prime is probably putting it lightly. Her acceptance speech when she won the Emmy on her third try as Cheers ’ leading lady was an exercise in resisting sincerity and schmaltziness. So she poked fun at co-star Ted Danson’s famous Emmy drought and made a joke about the dry cleaner finding her old unused acceptance speeches in her dress pockets. But she put a bow on her stand-up when she thanked her then-husband, Parker Stevenson, “For giving me the big one for the last eight years.” Cheers to that .

19. Mo’Nique, 82nd Academy Awards (2010)

Best Actress in a Supporting Role, Precious

Throughout Mo’Nique’s Oscars season in 2009–2010, she faced unfair criticisms from the press and bloggersphere for her reticence to participate in the Hollywood baby-kissing tour that is an Academy Awards campaign, even as she obtained frontrunner status. Mo’Nique gave very limited interviews, and appeared at few “for your consideration,” events but was also busy launching her talk show at that time. So when the multi-hyphenate performer took the stage and thanked the Academy for awarding “the performance and not the politics,” the more casual Oscar watchers at home might have been confused as to what she meant. But it was a gratifying crack to the system that Mo’Nique could achieve what many of them could not.

18. Geena Davis, 63rd Golden Globe Awards (2006)

Best Actress in a Television Series — Drama, Commander in Chief

Geena Davis delivered the ultrarare postmodern acceptance speech when she won the Globe for playing the [gasp] female president of the United States on Commander in Chief . Adopting some of the more treacly clichés of the acceptance-speech artform, Davis began to tell a story about a little girl out on the red carpet who tugged on her dress and told her, “Because of you, I want to be president.” And then Davis yanked the rug right out from under the audience, weaponizing their “ awwws ” against them by revealing the story to be a complete lie. Besides showing the Globes audience as a bunch of credulous saps, Davis also delivered a subtle message: Keep giving me awards and I’ll keep being this funny.

17. Elaine Stritch, 56th Primetime Emmy Awards (2004)

Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program, Elaine Stritch at Liberty

Leave it to another Broadway legend to perform the hell out of a Hollywood acceptance speech. Elaine Stritch won the Emmy for the HBO filmed version of her stage show, then proceeded to stage an epic siege of the podium. Stritch referenced her drinking problem, got bleeped, nearly got HBO exec Chris Albrecht’s name wrong, and then declared she’d just start naming names until someone dragged her off the stage. Was the speech genuinely unhinged? Did it matter? By the time Stritch was shouting out Scott Saunders (“I don’t like him very much, but he got us the money!”) and flirting with an F-bomb, she’d very nearly earned herself a second Emmy for the speech itself.

16. Jack Palance, 64th Academy Awards (1992)

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role, City Slickers

It took nearly 40 years from Jack Palance’s first brush with Oscar — he was nominated back to back for 1952’s Sudden Fear and 1953’s Shane — for him to finally get the prize, and by the time he took the stage to accept his award from Whoopi Goldberg, the old man was full of beans. Casting a glance downstage to that year’s host, his City Slickers co-star Billy Crystal, Palance quoted his character, Curly, by sneering, “I crap bigger than him.” He followed that with some words about how Hollywood producers won’t always cast old veterans for parts that require any physicality, before dropping to the stage and performing a series of one-armed push-ups, to the delight of the audience — not to mention Crystal, who spent the rest of the evening riffing off of Palance’s surprising show of vitality.

15. Michelle Williams, 71st Primetime Emmy Awards (2019)

Best Lead Actress in a Limited Series or TV Movie, Fosse/Verdon

Two years before she took on the role of Gwen Verdon, Michelle Williams found herself inadvertently at the center of one of the great dust-ups of the new Me Too era when it came out that she had been paid a fraction of what her All the Money in the World counterpart, Mark Wahlberg, had been paid for the job. Two years later, when accepting her Emmy, Williams put a button on that moment, thanking her bosses at FX for listening to her needs for more vocal training, dance lessons, better fake teeth and wigs (essential!), and for paying her equally. “They understood that when you put value in a person, it empowers that person to get in touch with their own inherent value, and where do they put that value? They put it into their work.” Williams made an extra-pointed statement for women of color in this regard, making the speech a home run for advocacy — and succinctness (the entire speech fell under two minutes).

14. Sacheen Littlefeather for Marlon Brando, 45th Academy Awards (1973)

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role, The Godfather

The massive success of The Godfather was a victory lap for Marlon Brando, overturning a decade’s worth of film failures overnight and making him the obvious best actor winner for his performance as Don Corleone. But Brando boycotted the ceremony to speak out against the ongoing mistreatment and misrepresentation of Native Americans in Hollywood films amid the ongoing occupation of Wounded Knee. In his place, Brando sent Native American actress and activist Sacheen Littlefeather to read a prepared statement (which was forcibly reduced onscreen by Oscars producers). Littlefeather received a torrent of boos in the theater and was harassed by industry members backstage before reading the entire speech for the press backstage. Brando was criticized not only for using the Oscars as a political platform but also for forcing Littlefeather to face the heat from the industry. Months before she passed away in 2022, the Academy issued Littlefeather a formal apology.

13. Sheryl Lee Ralph, 28th Critics’ Choice Awards (2023)

Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, Abbott Elementary

So many speeches, even great ones, play to the room rather than the audience watching at home. Not I, said the great Sheryl Lee Ralph, who after speaking of the hardships in her career, knew exactly where her camera was and pointed straight to it with the righteous self-conviction of a trash-talking WWE champion. But instead of bringing the pain, she brought a new pinnacle of the uplifting awards speech. Making eye contact with our souls as the camera operator zoomed in, she spoke of the importance of self-love (which can sound phony coming out of most Hollywood mouths) over any other form of respect, making even the most wavering self-doubter into a believer in only the way a truly self-actualized person can.

12. Jim Carrey, MTV Movie Awards (1999)

Best Male Performance, The Truman Show

It’s important to situate this one on the grand Jim Carrey timeline, as it came mere months after he was snubbed for an Academy Award and shortly after he filmed the Andy Kaufman biopic Man on the Moon . Perhaps taking Kaufman’s cue, Carrey accepted his tub of golden popcorn deep in character as a Jim Morrison–esque free-loving biker burnout. To the delight of several A-listers in the crowd (his co-star Courtney Love but also Keri Russell and Salma Hayek), Carrey leeringly noted that there was “Some fine-looking pussy in the room tonight,” thus checking the “quotable” box on our scorecard and bringing the performance of sincerity to a whole other stratosphere.

11. Cuba Gooding Jr., 69th Academy Awards (1997)

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role, Jerry Maguire

In any awards show — but especially at the Oscars, it seems — there is an unspoken battle between the producers and the awards recipients. The producers have their eye on the clock, not wanting to let the ceremony drift toward an unwieldy runtime. They also know that a rambly, unfocused speech isn’t great television, and they tend to hustle those off the stage with a premature cue of the orchestra. This battle can be uncomfortable to watch play out. An overzealous orchestra can give the unwelcome impression that we’re all just trying to get this over with as soon as possible. But when Cuba Gooding Jr. accepted his Oscar for Jerry Maguire and seemed momentarily dazed by the enormity of the moment, the orchestra’s intrusion kind of hip-checked Gooding into action. Suddenly fighting back against the music, Gooding’s thank-yous got louder, his gratitude got more exuberant — he was about 30 seconds away from levitating off the stage. It’s one of the most pure expressions of joy ever seen at the Oscars, and it’s even better when you watch the view from the production booth .

10. Tom Hanks, 66th Academy Awards (1994)

Best Actor in a Leading Role, Philadelphia

It’s fair to criticize the history of straight actors being rewarded for playing gay characters, and Hanks was quick to acknowledge the unfairness of his position when awarded an Oscar for playing Andy Beckett in Philadelphia . The lasting impression of his speech is its impassioned plea for acceptance of gay people during a hostile time, one that rings more honestly felt than the talking points later male-acting winners would mimic. Hanks chokes up early and stays that way throughout, giving one of his first steps as everyone’s movie dad and a quintessential message speech so articulate you might overlook its religious overtones. Hanks also recognizes the impact of two gay fellow creatives on his life, a fellow actor and his high-school drama teacher, a statement that would be satirized a few years later in In and Out — bet you can’t name another acceptance speech that inspired a whole movie!

9. Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams, MTV Movie Awards (2005)

Best Kiss, The Notebook

The MTV Movie Awards’ Best Kiss category has a checkered past, displaying mild-to-medium homophobia some years and engendering over-the-top eye rolls other years. But it’s an interesting subset of Hollywood awards in that it has, in retrospect, recognized some of our greatest performers (from Moonlight actors to Twilight actors). So how, in accepting such an award, do you express the gratitude indicative of a future star while also recognizing the frivolity of the whole affair? If you’re complete geniuses like Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams, you re-create the whole lift-kiss thing from The Notebook onstage while perfectly mid-aughts sex-groove Maroon 5 plays in the background. And one of you has a Darfur T-shirt on. The then-still-dating stars milked the moment for all it was worth, demonstrating a level of confidence and showmanship you would expect from seasoned stars, not two breakthroughs, as well as a savvy understanding of the fact that the MTV Movie Awards exist for fan service and not much else. While McAdams hasn’t had many opportunities to accept awards thereafter (fix it, Academy cowards!), this speech set the tone for Gosling’s later mischief-maker persona, someone who refuses to take any awards ceremony too seriously.

8. Michael Moore (with Michael Donovan), 75th Academy Awards (2003)

Best Documentary Feature, Bowling for Columbine

Even with Moore’s reputation for political pot-stirring, the filmmaker was entering Oscars night as something of a success story, riding high on the praise for Bowling for Columbine that made him among the surest bets to win that night. But this ceremony was also three days after the U.S. invaded Iraq. Taking the stage for his documentary feature win with his fellow nominees, the audience gave him a standing ovation (how often does that happen for docs?!) and chaos ensued. Moore called out the Bush administration, remarking, “We live in fictitious times [with] fictitious election results that elects a fictitious president … sending us to war for fictitious reasons.” Instantly throughout the theater a cloud of boos descends, with scattered agreeable applause, and the voice of fear visibly ringing in the head of every star on camera not to show their true feelings (catch Scorsese beginning to clap, though! Harrison Ford, living for the chaos!). It would make Moore a household name in America and serve as table setting for his next film, Fahrenheit 9/11 , the highest-grossing documentary to that point.

7. Olivia Colman, 91st Academy Awards (2019)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role, The Favourite

Colman’s win takes us on a breakneck guided tour of the best categories of awards speeches, arriving at each new fence post with a swiftness envied by most high-speed rail systems: the wildly funny type, the directed-to-the-daydreamers-at-home motivational type, the sobbing type, the effusively aware-of-her-fellow-nominees type. It is arguably the most quotable acceptance speech of recent years, from the anxious opener, “It’s genuinely quite stressful,” to her smooching “LADY GAGA!!” finish. But the speech category that ties them all together is one more typically found at the Golden Globes: the drunk type (later, Colman admitted that expecting not to win, she’d gotten knackered). Every great speech should offer a lingering question (in this case, who earned Colman’s early tears of “Hi”?). And if they must be scattered, they should be gloriously and hilariously so, and cement what makes the recipient a deeply lovable and emotionally activated comedic actress [ blows raspberry ].

6. Halle Berry, 74th Academy Awards (2002)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role, Monster’s Ball

Halle Berry’s Oscar for Monster’s Ball was the first best-actress win for a Black woman, carrying with it the weight of not only the past but the present of an industry that hadn’t advanced as much as it liked to tell itself it had. And Berry managed to meet that moment with the feeling in her speech. Berry’s emotional outpouring is still impossible not to be moved by on rewatch, and it (along with Denzel’s speech) remains the gold standard for how to recognize the performers that paved the road before you. Crucially, her speech mentions not only former Oscar nominees like Dorothy Dandridge and Diahann Carroll but also her contemporaries who hadn’t been given the chance at an Oscar because of Hollywood’s continual denial of opportunities for Black actresses.

5. Sally Field, 57th Academy Awards (1985)

Best Performance by a Leading Actress, Places in the Heart

Sally Field got so much shit for this, you guys. Expressing how her second win felt like acceptance into an industry — that had once pigeonholed and discarded her as Gidget and the Flying Nun — in a way that her first had not, this speech was a moment of vulnerable “you like me!” earnestness that instead turned her into the butt of the joke. Forgive me for tsk-tsking the culture at large from half a century ago, but there was no mention at the time in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences rulebook that a second-time Oscar winner must be self-effacing, and there has yet to be any to this day.

4. Viola Davis, 89th Academy Awards (2017)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role, Fences

A rousing speech can floor us in a single quote, as Viola Davis did: “There’s one place where all the people with the greatest potential are gathered … that’s the graveyard.” Hers is the delivery of a master speechwriter, piecing together the kind of personal and professional gratitudes that usually get doled out in an acceptance speech, and molding them into a moving proclamation as much about the artist’s calling as it is about how you choose to live a life. Too many speeches, even by the most charismatic stars, are bullet-pointed names of people we know nothing about, but Davis’s speech makes them feel like real humans begging to be known. Lesser stars can be clunkier when trying to pull into their speeches the themes of the film for which they won, but Davis shows Fences and the work of August Wilson as intrinsic to who she is as an actress and a person who makes this one hell of an artist’s statement.

3. Shirley MacLaine, 56th Academy Awards (1984)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role, Terms of Endearment

Humility is a great virtue, provided it comes naturally. But if that’s not what you’re feeling, sing out , Louise! Shirley MacLaine ended her Oscar speech with a hurried “I deserve this,” which was partly comical and partly sincere — MacLaine owning her pride at achieving a career pinnacle in Terms of Endearment , into which she put so much of her creativity and hard work. But before the sincere part, MacLaine took a good-natured dig at the length of the ceremony, poked fun at her own recently earned reputation for transcendentalism, thanked Jack Nicholson for the “middle-aged joy” of having him in bed in the film, and thanked her co-nominated co-star, Debra Winger, for her “turbulent brilliance.” MacLaine and Winger famously feuded on the set of the film, and Winger’s bemused (yet smiling!) reaction seemed to hide something muttered under her breath. We’ll say it again, there’s nothing like an Oscar speech that produces a blind item.

2. Julia Roberts, 73rd Academy Awards (2001)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role, Erin Brockovich

You think you know the moment when Julia Roberts’s Oscar speech becomes the second greatest of all time. Certainly, it was when she unhinged her jaw and let out that irrepressible, whooping cackle, ending with an “I love it up here!” Or wait, perhaps it was a smidge earlier when she admonished orchestra conductor Bill Conti (“Stick Man”) to keep his baton at bay. But the real moment when Roberts officially GOATed that speech arrived with the fifth word out of her mouth: “Thank you, thank you ever so much!” like she was just handed a scepter from the queen of England. And wield that scepter she did. By a rough watch of the clock, Roberts took three minutes and 48 seconds — including one break to make sure her dress looked pretty — to be gracious (mentioning her fellow nominees), quotable (she loves it up there!), and unabashedly thrilled. The speech was criticized at the time, mostly for being too long and for forgetting to thank the real Erin Brockovich (whom Roberts had thanked profusely at the Golden Globes). But what her critics failed (and in some cases continue to fail) to see is that the Oscars exist as a public pageant because of the power of movie stars. And here was Roberts, one of the biggest movie stars in the world, accepting a long-awaited industry recognition of her talent. So she took her time, straightened her dress, and thanked everybody else, from Steven Soderbergh to Albert Finney, Danny DeVito to her niece Emma. Her speech was everything the Oscars should be: self-indulgent, loudly complimentary about artists, compulsively watchable, and long.

1. 1. Dame Emma Thompson, 53rd Golden Globes (1996)

Best Motion Picture Screenplay, Sense and Sensibility

Let this be your quarterly reminder to invite Dame Emma Thompson to every awards show and let her do whatever she wants. There has never been a more ingenious way of accepting a Hollywood award than when Thompson called a séance on the ghost of Jane Austen after adapting Sense and Sensibility . Owing the success of the film’s writing (and thus the screenplay award she was accepting) to the original author, Thompson jettisoned a traditional speech and instead composed a diary entry in the voice of Austen herself, as if she had attended the Globes. (Among the speech’s many Austen-approximating brilliancies include calling the ceremony the “Golden Spheres” and saving the worst of her scorn for Thompson herself.) In doing so, Thompson simultaneously takes the piss out of the awards, exalts Austen, and ever-so-deftly silences any lingering naysayers who didn’t believe that a mere actress could translate the prose of one of the greatest writers of all time. And after winning the lion’s share of acting prizes a few years before for Howards End , why not have a little fun? Few have ever dared, much less achieved, a pre-written gag awards speech so decadently bold, but Thompson has the talent to pull it off without breaking a sweat. Her Austen invocation feels commensurately silly and self-aggrandizing, while hitting the bull’s-eye of legitimate gratitude. It’s a perfect speech if there ever was one, and it undoubtedly paved the way for her Oscar win that year .

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The Most Memorable Oscar Speeches in Academy History

By Nate Nickolai

Nate Nickolai

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No Academy Awards is complete without some emotional acceptance speeches on stage – and some political ones to boot.

With just 90 seconds to make an impact, many actors have used the platform as a voice for political change, calling attention to hot-button issues like climate change and gender equality, while others have simply reveled in their wins. Either way, acceptance speeches are always some of the most entertaining parts of the evening.

In honor of this year’s Academy Awards, Variety has compiled a complete list of the most memorable speeches in Oscar history, tackling everything from Halle Berry’s emotional best actress acceptance to Jennifer Lawrence’s ill-fated walk up the Academy steps.

See the full list of speeches below.

Barry Jenkins and Tarell Alvin McCraney (Best Adapted Screenplay for “Moonlight” in 2017)

After taking home an Oscar for best adapted screenplay, Barry Jenkins and Terell Alvin McCraney tackled issues of representation with their acceptance speech, honoring both young people of color and gender non-conforming viewers. “This goes out to all those black and brown boys and girls and non gender-conforming who don’t see themselves, we’re trying to show you you, and us. So thank you, thank you. This is for you,” McCraney said while accepting the award.

Ben Affleck and Matt Damon (Best Original Screenplay for “Good Will Hunting” in 1997)

Ben Affleck became one of the youngest people ever to win an Oscar for best original screenplay when he took home the award alongside Matt Damon in 1997, and his youth showed. “T here’s no way we’re doing this in less than 20 seconds,” he laughed, before tackling a long list of thank you’s filled with excited interjections from Damon throughout the entire speech. “I know we’re forgetting somebody,” he concluded before Damon took over with some shouts of love, reminiscent of Cuba Gooding Jr.’s own speech earlier in the evening: “ Whoever we forgot, we love you! We love you!”

Cate Blanchett (Best Actress for “Blue Jasmine” in 2014)’

Cate Blanchett used her speech to set the record straight for anyone who is “still foolishly clinging to the idea that female films with women at the center are niche experiences.” “They’re not,” she said. “Audiences want to see them, and in fact, they earn money.” The actress also decided to honor her fellow nominees with some light humor and well-meaning words. “Sit down, you’re too old to be standing,” she began, before launching into a long catalog of praise for her fellow nominees in the category, including Amy Adams, Meryl Streep, Sandra Bullock and Judy Dench. Her speech also created some confusion after she told Julia Roberts to #SuckIt, which was left unexplained until a year later when she told Jimmy Kimmel that it was merely a way of saying goodbye to the previous year.

Cuba Gooding Jr. (Best Supporting Actor for “Jerry Maguire” in 1997)

Cuba Gooding Jr. wanted to spread the love with his acceptance speech, which involved fist-pumps, jump kicks and multiple “I love you’s” shouted to the crowd. The passionate exhibition got the crowd on its feet and showed viewers that Oscar speeches don’t have to be formal thank you letters.

Frances McDormand (Best Actress for “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” in 2018)

Frances McDormand used her acceptance speech to teach viewers about inclusion riders – a stipulation that actors and actresses can have inserted into their contracts, which would require a specific level of diversity within a film’s cast and crew. While somewhat vague, McDormand’s speech was a clear call to action that fit in well with the surrounding #MeToo rhetoric. “ Don’t talk to us about it at the parties tonight. Invite us into your office in a couple days, or you can come to ours, whatever suits you best, and we’ll tell you all about them. I have two words to leave with you tonight, ladies and gentlemen: ‘inclusion rider,'” she said.

Halle Berry (Best actress for “Monster’s Ball” in 2002)

Tears were already streaming down Halley Berry’s face before she even took the stage for her best actress acceptance speech in 2002. In between sobs and shrieks of joy, the actress acknowledged a number of other actresses, before dedicating the award to women of color in general. “ This moment is so much bigger than me. This moment is for Dorothy Dandridge, Lena Horne, Diahann Carroll. It’s for the women that stand beside me, Jada Pinkett, Angela Bassett, Vivica Fox. And it’s for every nameless, faceless woman of color that now has a chance because this door tonight has been opened,” she said.

Jennifer Lawrence (Best Actress for “Silver Lining Playbooks” in 2013)

Jennifer Lawrence’s speech isn’t famous for what she said, but more so for what happened right before it. The ever-relatable actress took over the internet after she fell on the stage steps while walking up to accept her award. “You guys are just standing up because you feel bad that I fell and that’s really embarrassing, but thank you,” she said about the applause. “This is nuts.”

Joe Pesci (Best Supporting Actor for “Good Fellas” in 1991)

With only 90 seconds to deliver an entire acceptance speech, most actors struggle to find their words before the Academy starts playing its music. But for Joe Pesci, the audience had barely finished clapping by the time he finished his speech. In what goes down as probably shortest Oscar speech of all time, Pesci accepted his award with a simple, “ It was my privilege. Thank you.”

John Legend and Common (Best Original Song for “Glory” from “Selma” in 2015)

John Legend and Common got political in their acceptance speech, calling out issues of race and incarceration rates in America in a speech reminiscent of some of Martin Luther King Jr.’s own words. “We know that the voting rights, the act that they fought for 50 years ago is being compromised right now in this country today. We know that right now the struggle for freedom and justice is real,” Legend said. “We live in the most incarcerated country in the world. There are more black men under correctional control today than were under slavery in 1850. When people are marching with our song, we want to tell you that we are with you, we see you, we love you, and march on.”

Julia Roberts (Best Actress for “Erin Brokovich” in 2001)

Julia Roberts was all about sisterhood during her passionate acceptance speech, in which she recognized her fellow nominees. “I would like to start with telling you all how amazing the experience of feeling the sisterhood of being included in a group with Joan Allen and Juliette Binoche and Laura Linney and Ellen Burstyn for these last weeks has been,” she said. “It’s just felt like such a triumph to me to be in that list. My name starts with ‘R’ so I’m always last, but I still love the list.”

Leonardo DiCaprio (Best Actor for “The Revenant” in 2016)

After five Oscar nominations and no wins, all eyes were on Leonardo DiCaprio when he took the stage for his first Oscar acceptance speech. But what followed was not a cathartic shout of joy but rather a powerful call to action – the “Revenant” star clearly had some more pressing issues on his mind. After thanking several people who worked on the film, DiCaprio spent the majority of his speech addressing climate change, highlighting the detrimental effects of big polluters and leaving viewers with the powerful last words, “ Let us not take this planet for granted. I do not take tonight for granted.”

Marlon Brando (Best Actor for “Godfather” in 1973)

Marlon Brando goes down in acceptance speech history for not giving a speech at all. Instead, the “Godfather” actor asked Apache Native American Sacheen Littlefeather to accept the best actor award in his stead, protesting the film industry’s treatment of Native Americans as well as the abuse occurring at Wounded Knee at the time. “I beg at this time that I have not intruded upon this evening and that we will in the future, our hearts and our understandings will meet with love and generosity,” Littlefeather said to both boos and cheers from the audience.

Patricia Arquette (Best Supporting Actress for “Boyhood” in 2015)

Any speech endorsed by Meryl Streep is a speech worth listening to, and Patricia Arquette’s 2015 acceptance speech appears to be one of her favorites. The “Boyhood” actress ended her Oscar win with a powerful message about gender equality, garnering finger points and shouts of agreement from Streep herself. “ To every woman who gave birth, to every taxpayer and citizen of this nation, we have fought for everybody else’s equal rights,” Arquette said. “It’s our time to have wage equality once and for all, and equal rights for women in the United States of America.”

Reese Witherspoon (Best Actress for “Walk the Line” in 2006)

Reese Witherspoon endeared audience members with her distinctive country twang and a speech chock-full of childhood memories and feel-good country values. After honoring her fellow actors in the same tradition as childhood inspirations Johnny Cash and June Carter, Witherspoon reflected on her relationship with her grandmother who she said taught her “h ow to be a real woman, to have strength and self respect and to never give those things away.”

Roberto Benigni (Best Foreign Language Film for “Life Is Beautiful” in 1999)

Few Oscar winners can claim the same level of excitement as Roberto Benigni who celebrated his Oscar win by crawling across the Academy seats and thrusting his arms into the air. The excitement continued as he walked to the stage, hopping up each step before embracing presenter Sophia Loren and bowing to the audience.

Sally Field (Best Actress for “Places in the Heart” in 1985)

According to Sally Field, winning a second Oscar is even more exciting than the first. While accepting the best actress award in 1985, the “Places in the Heart” actress acknowledged that she had never fully appreciated her first win, before concluding with an emotional cry to the audience, “ I can’t deny the fact that you like me. Right now, you like me!”

Shirley MacLaine (Best Actress for “Terms of Endearment” in 1984)

Shirley MacLaine said what everyone was thinking when she first took the stage: “I’m going to cry because this show has been as long as my career.” But the jokes ended there as MacLain delivered a rousing speech about the power of passion in making your dreams come true. “Films and life are like clay, waiting for us to mold it. And when you trust your own insides and that becomes achievement, it’s a kind of a principal that seems to me that works with everyone,” she said. “God bless that principal. God bless that potential that we all have for making anything possible if we think we deserve it. I deserve this, thank you.”

Tom Hanks (Best Actor for “Philadelphia” in 1993)

Red ribbons were everywhere at the 1993 Oscars as actors donned the crimson thread in honor of AIDS victims across the world, a cause Tom Hanks took to heart during his acceptance speech for best actor. Hanks got personal during his speech, reflecting on the importance of the gay men in his life and confronting the extreme loss brought on by the disease. “ I know that my work in this case is magnified by the fact that the streets of heaven are too crowded with angels,” he said. “We know their names. They number a thousand for each one of the red ribbons that we wear here tonight.”

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The 10 Most Popular Oscar Acceptance Speeches of All Time

By jake rossen | mar 18, 2022.

When it comes to the Oscars , seeing how filmmakers react to receiving acknowledgement from their peers during their acceptance speeches is usually the highlight of the show. James Cameron’s “I’m king of the world!” proclamation for Titanic (1997) stands out; so does Patty Duke’s two-word response (“Thank you”) for The Miracle Worker (1962).

Recently, online betting parlor RantCasino tried to gauge the most popular and most-viewed Oscar acceptance speeches of all time. Their methodology was simple: The site examined the most-watched speeches that have been uploaded to the official Academy Awards YouTube channel. (The live broadcast viewership, which fluctuates over the years, was not included in the tally.)

1. Leonardo DiCaprio // 2016

DiCaprio nabbed 48 million views for his first Best Actor Oscar win—after multiple nominations over the years—for 2015’s The Revenant .  

2. Matthew McConaughey // 2014

The Dazed and Confused (1993) star won Best Actor for 2013’s Dallas Buyers Club , nabbing 26.5 million views for his reaction.

3. Heath Ledger // 2009

The late actor, who passed away shortly after filming 2008’s The Dark Knight , earned a posthumous Best Supporting Actor statue for his portrayal of the Joker. Ledger’s parents and sister accepted on his behalf; 22 million people have viewed the moment on YouTube.

4. Kate Winslet // 2009

Winslet won Best Actress for her work in 2008’s The Reader , with 18 million people queuing it up online.

5. Jennifer Lawrence // 2013

Lawrence won Best Actress for her role in 2012’s Silver Linings Playbook —and also garnered sympathy for her ill-timed trip up the stage stairs , a gaffe viewed by 15 million people online.

6. Eddie Redmayne // 2015

Redmayne won Best Actor for his portrayal of Stephen Hawking in 2014’s The Theory of Everything , with 14 million viewers watching online.

7. Natalie Portman // 2011

Portman won Best Actress for 2010’s ballerina drama Black Swan , a moment seen by 12 million people online.

8. Charlie Chaplin // 1972

The oldest entry on the list belongs to legendary screen pioneer Chaplin , who was awarded an Honorary Oscar for his body of work. The emotional speech has been viewed over 12 million times.

9. Roberto Benigni // 1999

The Life Is Beautiful (1998) star accepted that movie's Best Foreign Language Film trophy with an enthusiastic speech that's been viewed nearly 12 million times.

10. Joaquin Phoenix // 2020

The second Best Actor trophy to go to a depiction of the Joker belongs to Phoenix , who won for his role in the 2019 film of the same name. Phoenix took the opportunity to share his thoughts on inequality and concerns over animal rights. It’s been seen almost 12 million times.

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One of the best parts of the Oscars broadcast each year is the moving and heartfelt acceptance speeches. The Academy Awards are the highest honor a director, actor, or person in the world of film can win. As a result, some of the best Oscar speeches are memorable for the winner's nerves, excitement, and enthusiasm. Which Oscar-winning stars have given the best acceptance speeches?

Especially with the advent of YouTube and social media, Academy Award speeches (and those from just about any awards show) are replayed and enjoyed (or scrutinized) even long after the telecast has aired. But not all Oscar speeches are created equal. Far from it. Winners react with everything from pure excitement (Cuba Gooding, Jr.) to an outpouring of emotion (Halle Berry) to being completely overwhelmed (Jennifer Lawrence).

Olivia Colman Wins Over The Internet

When Olivia Colman won Best Actress over Glenn Close (who was the frontrunner for her role in The Wife) during the 91st Academy Awards, she gave one of the most memorable speeches of the evening. In her emotional, impromptu-feeling speech, Colman thanked her fellow nominees, apologized to Close for winning, pointed out when her husband was crying in the audience, and recalled her time as a cleaner when she "did spend quite a lot of my time imagining this." Her earnest speech quickly won the internet

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Matthew McConaughey Is Thankful (and Alright)

Year: 2014 Film: Dallas Buyers Club Award: Best Actor in a Leading Role

Robin Williams Positively Glows with Excitement

Year: 1998 Film: Good Will Hunting Award: Best Actor in a Supporting Role

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Cuba Gooding, Jr. Couldn't Contain His Excitement

Year: 1997 Film:  Jerry Maguire Award: Best Actor in a Supporting Role

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Tom Hanks Is as Adorable as Ever

Year: 1995 Film: Forrest Gump Award: Best Actor in a Leading Role

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Ben Affleck & Matt Damon Win and Promptly Lose Their Minds

Year: 1998 Film: Good Will Hunting Award: Best Writing, Original Screenplay

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Roberto Benigni Can't Contain Himself

Year: 1999 Film: Life Is Beautiful Award: Best Actor in a Leading Role

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Lupita Nyong'o Steals Hearts

Year: 2014 Film: 12 Years a Slave Award: Best Actress in a Supporting Role

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Bong Joon-ho Wants To Cut Up His Oscar

Film:  Parasite

Award:  Best Director

Bong Joon-ho humbly accepts his award and offers to split his Oscar with all the other nominees.

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Kate Winslet Is Humble and Endearing

Year: 2009 Film: The Reader Award : Best Actress in a Leading Role

Kate Winslet spends much of this speech just gushing over the idea of it. Her love for her family and friends is oh so apparent and she gives a surely much appreciated thanks to the cast and crew of the film, in a real, earnest, and adorable way.

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Adrien Brody Surprises Everyone

Year: 2003 Film: The Pianist Award: Best Actor in a Leading Role

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Frances McDormand

Marking her second Oscar win, Frances McDormand received an Oscar for her role as a grieving mother in  Three Billboards Outside of Ebbing, Missouri.  McDormand gave one of the more memorable speeches of the 90th Academy Awards, calling on all the female nominees to stand up, be recognized for their achievements, and continue to tell their stories. 

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Cate Blanchett Shows How Much She Cares

Year: 2014 Film: Blue Jasmine Award: Best Actress in a Leading Role

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Halle Berry Is Beyond Emotional

Year: 2002 Film: Monster's Ball Award: Best Actress in a Leading Role

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Charlie Chaplin Speaks! (with Eloquence)

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Sandra Bullock's Speech Is a Long Time Coming

Year: 2010 Film: The Blind Side Award: Best Actress in a Leading Role

Sandra Bullock does an amazing job briefly describing her road to the Oscars, then going on to describe her relationship with, and love for, each of the other nominees. Her thanks for everyone responsible seems heartfelt and a long time coming.

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Julia Roberts Is Politely Sassy

Year: 2001 Film: Erin Brockovich Award: Best Actress in a Leading Role

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Jared Leto Is Effortless and Poised

Year: 2014 Film: Dallas Buyers Club Award: Best Actor in a Supporting Role

Marion Cotillard Is Super Excited

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Jack Nicholson Is Jack Nicholson

Year: 1976 Film: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest Award: Best Actor in a Leading Role

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Natalie Portman Is Thankful

Year: 2011 Film: Black Swan Award: Best Actress in a Leading Role

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Russell Crowe Delivers an Impassioned Speech

Year: 2001 Film: Gladiator Award: Best Actor in a Leading Role

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J.K. Simmons Offers Familial Advice

Year: 2015 Film: Whiplash Award: Best Actor in a Supporting Role

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Jamie Foxx's Love for Family Shines Through

Year: 2005 Film: Ray Award: Best Actor in a Leading Role

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Hilary Swank Thanks All the Right People

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Jennifer Lawrence Is in Shock

Year: 2013 Film: Silver Linings Playbook Award: Best Actress in a Leading Role

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John Legend & Common Give an Impassioned and Important Speech

Year: 2015 Film: Selma Award: Best Song

Every word of this speech is important, a sign of the times, and reflects where we are as a country. It's delivered with passion and sounds almost like poetry. The film delivered an important message, so to does this speech.

Rayka Zehtabchi Celebrated An Oscar First

During the 91st Academy Awards, the documentary  Period. End Of Sentence.  won the Oscar for Best Short Documentary. The film's director, Rayka Zehtabchi, emotionally accepted the award and said,  "I'm not crying because I'm on my period or anything. I can't believe a film about menstruation just won an Oscar!"

The short-form documentary explores the inequality women in rural parts of India face due to their menstration. 

Michael Moore Gets Cheers and Jeers

Year: 2003 Film: Bowling for Columbine Award: Best Documentary Feature (shared with Michael Donovan)

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Daniel Day-Lewis Is Poetic

Year: 2008 Film: There Will Be Blood Award: Best Actor in a Leading Role

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The best Oscar speeches ever, ranked

The speeches are arguably the most memorable parts of any Oscar ceremony. More than the wins themselves, the speeches are what people talk about the next day. We can hate the Academy for its decisions, but if the winner gives a worthy speech, we might actually forget about our contempt. A great Oscar speech can make or break a ceremony; enough great ones, and we might consider the whole thing a victory, even if the Academy’s choices leave us scratching our heads.

7. Sally Field, Best Actress (1985)

6. michael moore, best documentary (2003), 5. marion cotillard, best actress (2008), 4. olivia colman, best actress (2019), 3. gerda weissman klein, best documentary short (1996), 2. ruth gordon, best supporting actress (1969), 1. louise fletcher, best actress (1976).

Throughout its 95-year history, from the 1927 Oscars to the 2023 Oscars , the ceremony has featured many incredible speeches. From the hilarious to the inspiring, from the socially conscious to the outright unhinged, these speeches have become almost as iconic as the actors delivering them and, in some cases, more famous than the wins themselves. Indeed, they have entered the pop culture lexicon, becoming important pieces of cinematic history.

You like her … you know how it goes. In 1985, Sally Field won her second Oscar for her work in the sentimental drama Places in the Heart . Playing a struggling widow facing everything from a tornado to the KKK, Field delivered an honest and sympathetic portrayal of resilience against all odds. Her Oscar win wasn’t surprising, but her speech sure was.

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An ecstatic Field took the podium and delivered a tearful and breathless speech, thanking her co-stars and her family. Most memorably, Field thanked the Academy, stating all she wanted was their respect; thus, by awarding her a second Oscar, the infamously elitist Academy “liked her.” It was a refreshingly honest and unabashed reaction, and while many were critical of her candor, time has been very kind to this now-iconic speech.

Michael Moore won the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature for his 2002 documentary film  Bowling for Columbine . The film is an in-depth exploration of the 1999 Columbine High School massacre and a scathing examination of the effects and causes of violence within the U.S. and abroad.

Bowling for Columbine was already a heavily political documentary, so when Moore took the stage, most people expected him to make a statement. Accompanied by his fellow nominees, Moore decried then-president George W. Bush, calling him “a fictitious president” and condemning the Iraq War. Moore fought off loud “boos” from the crowd as he continued his impassioned speech, crying, “shame on you, Mr. President,” and bringing the Pope and the Dixie Chicks into the mix. Reaction to the speech was polarizing at the time, but it has aged like fine wine.

Everything, and I truly do mean everything, about Marion Cotillard’s Oscar win is incredible. Her genuinely shocked reaction upon hearing her name; her fellow nominees’ excitement at hearing Cotillard declared the winner; her spectacular Jean Paul Gaultier gown. All fell into place to allow her to deliver one of the most memorable, earnest, and refreshing speeches in Oscar’s long and messy history.

An obviously shocked Cotillard made her way to the stage, where Forest Whitaker handed her the statuette. Cotillard then thanked her director for changing her life. With her voice already breaking and her hands shaking, the French actress struggled to find the words to express her confusion and gratitude. She ended by saying there were “truly some angels in this city,” which prompted a huge reaction from the audience at the Dolby Theater.

The mighty Olivia Colman took home the Oscar for Best Actress for her stunning performance in Yorgos Lanthimos’ historical dark comedy  The Favourite . Colman blended vulnerability and bite in her take on Queen Anne of England, delivering a performance that ranks atop the Best Actress victors of the 2010s . The 2019 Best Actress race was one for the ages, with Colman going head-to-head with Glenn Close. Ultimately, Colman prevailed, and the reaction shots from her fellow nominees are a thing of beauty.

An emotional Colman arrived on stage, proclaiming how surreal the experience was. She proceeded with a delightfully rambling speech where she acknowledged Lanthimos and the film’s cast and crew, talked about her former work as a cleaner, thanked her husband, and name-dropped Close, Sam Rockwell, Frances McDormand, and Lady Gaga. Colman is a remarkably spontaneous and genuine woman who can make the phone book funny with her comedic timing. However, her speech was truly humble, making it seem as if your best friend won an Oscar; you couldn’t help but cheer for her.

Nicolas Cage and Elisabeth Shue presented the Oscar for Best Documentary Short Film at the 1996 Oscars. The winner was  One Survivor Remembers , Kary Antholis’ jarring documentary about Gerda Weissman Klein’s ordeal as a Holocaust prisoner. The film is a heart-wrenching, but ultimately rewarding experience, and both Antholis and Weissman Klein took the stage to accept the award.

After Antholis finished his speech, Weissman Klein took to the podium and delivered a profound and deeply affecting reflection about what it means to be alive. Weissman Klein’s speech was haunting, touching, and triumphant, a sincere and thought-provoking meditation on what a privilege it is to simply be alive. By the time she was done, there wasn’t a dry eye at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.

The one and only Ruth Gordon won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar in 1969 for her scene-stealing performance in the horror movie  Rosemary’s Baby . It’s not always that the Academy acknowledges horror; even rarer is recognizing a role as wacky as Minnie Castevet. Yet, for once, Academy voters thought outside the box and honored Gordon’s incredible performance.

The veteran actress strolled happily to the stage, wearing a dress that might look right at home on a 2022 runway, but mus have been rather unorthodox for 1969. Gordon then delivered an utterly hilarious speech that never once tried to hide how honored she was to be holding the golden statuette. Gordon closed her speech by saying, “please, excuse me” to all the voters who didn’t vote for her. Few actors could have pulled that off, but then again, Gordon was not like most actors.

Louise Fletcher gives one of the all-time best performances in Miloš Forman’s 1975 drama  One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest , a film that has gone down in history as one of the greatest Best Picture victors . The actress delivers a chilling performance as the wicked Nurse Ratched, becoming one of cinema’s most enduring and iconic villains. Fletcher’s work earned her the 1976 Best Actress Oscar, and few times has the award been more deserved.

Arriving on stage, Fletcher delivered a speech that was equal parts funny, sincere, and deeply emotional. The actress opened with a joke, gracefully thanked her director, producers, and co-stars, and even squeezed in a second quip. However, the highlight of her speech came in the third act, when she thanked her parents, both of whom were Deaf, using sign language. As her voice broke, Fletcher thanked her mother and father in what remains arguably the most heartfelt moment in Oscar speech history. Simple yet profoundly touching, Fletcher’s speech remains an all-timer.

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Whether they be ruthless crime lords, destructive supervillains, or just plain old jerks, television has presented audiences with some of the most despicable characters in pop culture, and these evildoers are good at their jobs. 10. Vecna from Stranger Things (2016-present)

Next year will mark the 40th anniversary of Tim Burton's directorial career. Before helming Pee-wee's Big Adventure in 1985, Burton was hired as an animator for Walt Disney Studios and was fired for focusing on his weird personal projects that the company felt were unsuitable for kids. Roughly a decade later, after establishing himself as a filmmaker, Disney invited Burton back for The Nightmare Before Christmas, which has since become a perennial holiday favorite and did not, in fact, scare children.

Burton has worked extensively as a director in the last four decades, with his most recent projects including Wednesday for Netflix and Beetlejuice Beetlejuice this fall. Before that sequel rolls around, we've decided to look back at the 10 best Tim Burton movies, ranked from worst to first. Note that only the films directed by Burton are on this list. That's why The Nightmare Before Christmas – which was actually helmed by Henry Selick and based upon a story by Burton – isn't on here. If Burton had directed that movie, it would have easily landed in our top five. 10. Mars Attacks! (1996)

It’s no secret that most Hollywood movies, particularly blockbuster movies, are directed by men. Some of the most influential movie directors include Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, Quentin Tarantino, Francis Ford Coppola, Christopher Nolan, and others of the male persuasion. But as the tides change and we inch closer to equality in cinema, female directors are making waves.

Even though only three women in the 96-year history of the Academy Awards have won an Oscar for Best Director, these all happened in the 21st century, which suggests a move in the right direction. With a female director being one of the most talked about in 2023, and with Women’s History Month in full swing, it’s a good time to celebrate the best female directors ever. 8. Chloe Zhao

The Best Oscar Acceptance Speeches of All Time, Ranked

From Brando's Oscar snub to Mathew McConaughey's deeply personal story, here's a look at some of the best Oscar acceptance speeches.

The Academy Awards, better known as the Oscars, are the holy grail of the recognition of talent in the film industry. An honor that’s coveted by technicians across the multiple disciplines of the craft, the Oscars are the entry point into the hall of fame of filmmaking. The recipient of this honor, is awarded a golden statuette, depicting a knight rendered in the Art Deco style. The statuette was sculpted by artist George Stanley, from a design by Cedric Gibbons. Since it’s inception in 1929, the Academy Awards have evolved into the highest, most prestigious form of recognition in the field of Motion Pictures. Here are some of the best Oscar acceptance speeches of all time, ranked.

8 Anna Paquin - The Piano (1993)

If not the best, Anna Paquin ’s Oscar speech was definitely one of the cutest Oscar acceptance speeches ever. The then 11-year-old was nominated for best supporting actress for The Piano , along with Hollywood veterans such as Winona Ryder and Emma Thompson. As Paquin’s name was announced, she jumped up in child-like disbelief, and cutely made her way on stage. After accepting the award, the Paquin was literally speechless, looking at the audience before beginning her short but sweet speech thanking all her co-stars and crew.

7 Roberto Benigni - Life is Beautiful (1999)

Staying true to his character of a happy-go-lucky father in the movie, Roberto Benigni jumped up on the chair upon hearing his name being announced for the best foreign language film. He hugged the people around him and jumped his way to the stage brimming with joy before beginning his speech. The actor-director thanked everyone for their love before acknowledging the martyrs of the holocaust , stating “I would like to dedicate this prize to those, because the subject, the movie, those who are not here. They gave their lives in order [that] we can say, "Life is beautiful.”

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6 Youn Yuh-jung - Minari (2020)

As her name was taken for the winner for the best supporting actress, Youn Yuh-jung was secretly hoping for Glenn Close to win . The actress was awarded the Oscar for her portrayal of a feisty South Korean grandmother in a24’s Minari . In her speech she made a point to advocate for equality between genders and race, insisting that the only thing that matters is that we have a warm heart.

5 Olivia Colman - The Favourite (2018)

For her first ever Oscar, Olivia Colman ’s acceptance speech was full of tears of joy and borderline anxiety . Winning the best actress award for The Favourite , Colman thanked everyone while also pointing out the stress induced by the whole affair. The veteran actress went on to thank everybody, from director Yorgos Lanthimos to her co-star, Rachel Weisz; she concluded her speech by promising to give a big snog to anybody whom she might have missed out on.

4 Marlon Brando - The Godfather (1972)

When Marlon Brando received an Oscar for best actor for his stellar portrayal of Don Corleone in The Godfather , he didn’t show up at the ceremony. Instead, the don sent a Native American, Sacheen Littlefeather to explain his absence. Sacheen explained Brando's absence and threw light upon the treatment of Native American Indians by the film industry.

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3 Leonardo DiCaprio - The Revenant (2016)

After what seems like a tryst with destiny, Leonardo DiCaprio finally won his first Oscar in 2016 for The Revenant . After five nominations, this win seemed like a long time coming . In DiCaprio’s acceptance speech he thanked the academy along with the entire cast and crew of the film, specially mentioning fellow actor Tom Hardy as well as thanking Alejandro Iñarritu for creating a transcending piece of cinematic history .

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2 Robin Williams - Good Will Hunting (1998)

After three nominations, this was Robin Williams ' first Oscar win. Williams won the Oscar for best supporting actor for the film Good Will Hunting . The beloved actor started his speech on a hilarious note observing that “this may be the one time that I’m speechless”. After thanking the director Gus Van Sant and the remaining cast and crew, Williams concluded on a humorous note by thanking his late father, crediting him with great advice upon hearing about his foray into acting “Wonderful, just have a backup profession like welding.”

1 Matthew McConaughey - Dallas Buyers Club (2014)

Matthew McConaughey ’s Oscar acceptance speech is so well written and rehearsed it seems like he practiced it for days. The actor won the award for best actor for his portrayal of a rodeo cowboy that’s been diagnosed with AIDS in the film Dallas Buyers Club . McConaughey began his speech with the usual niceties, thanking the cast and crew before arriving at the crux of his message. In his speech, the actor stated he needs three things from life every day.

One to look up to, one to look forward to, and one to chase. After a pause, he stated that he looked up to god and credited the Almighty with all his success, followed by looking forward to spending time with his family and loved ones. For the third thing; someone to chase, McConaughey stated he’s chasing his own best self, ten years from now, thereby creating a loop of never being complacent and content. The actor concluded his speech with his trademark “Alright, alright, alright!” Leaving the audience craving for more.

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The Most Moving and Inspirational Oscars Speeches of All Time

Giving a speech at any awards show is a difficult task, but the stakes are especially high at the Oscars , the pinnacle of Hollywood's awards season. Winners are typically flustered, emotional, and shocked, and they have only seconds to collect themselves before the music tries to play them offstage. Over the years, though, there have been some truly memorable speeches — speeches that moved us, motivated us, and reminded us why we tune in to watch in the first place. Click through for 12 of the most inspirational and poignant Oscars acceptance speeches of all time. (Photos via Kevin Winter/Getty Images + Steve Starr/Corbis via Getty Images)

Frances McDormand, 2018: "I'm hyperventilating a little bit. If I fall over, pick me up, because I've got some things to say," McDormand began as she accepted her Best Actress award for Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri. She wasn't kidding. After placing her Oscar on the floor beside her, she launched into a speech about feminism, diversity, and the power of different perspectives in storytelling.

"If I may be so honored to have all the female nominees in every category stand with me in this room tonight — the actors, the filmmakers, the producers, the directors, the writers, the cinematographer, the composers, the songwriters, the designers," she said, urging them to their feet. "Okay, look around, everybody. Because we all have stories to tell and projects we need financed. … Invite us in to your office in a couple days — or you can come to ours, whichever sits you best — and we'll tell you all about them. I have two words to leave with you tonight, ladies and gentleman: inclusion rider."

As we now know, an inclusion rider is a clause in an actor's contract stipulating that the film they're working on must meet a certain level of diversity in the cast and crew. Months after McDormand's speech, Warner Bros. became the first Hollywood studio to implement the practice on a company-wide scale. Her words led to concrete action — and what's more inspiring than that? (Photo via Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Viola Davis, 2017: Davis' speech for her Best Supporting Actress win for Fences was one of the clear highlights of the 2017 Oscars. "You know, there's one place that all the people with the greatest potential are gathered. One place. And that's the graveyard," she began. "People ask me all the time, 'What kind of stories do you want to tell, Viola?' And I say, 'Exhume those bodies. Exhume those stories. The stories of the people who dreamed big and never saw those dreams to fruition, people who fell in love and lost.' I became an artist, and thank God I did, because we are the only profession that celebrates what it means to live a life." (Photo via Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Common and John Legend, 2017: After winning Best Original Song for "Glory" from Selma , both Common and John Legend used their time at the mic to spotlight some of the major issues facing our nation.

"Recently, John and I got to go to Selma and perform 'Glory' on the same bridge that Dr. King and the people of the civil rights movement marched on 50 years ago," Common began. "This bridge was once a landmark of a divided nation but now is a symbol for change. The spirit of this bridge transcends race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, and social status. The spirit of this bridge connects the kid from the South Side of Chicago, dreaming of a better life, to those in France standing up for their freedom of expression, to the people in Hong Kong protesting for democracy. This bridge was built on hope, welded with compassion, and elevated with love for all human beings."

When it was Legend's turn, he quoted Nina Simone, saying: "'It's an artist's duty to reflect the times in which we live.' We wrote this song for a film that was based on events that were 50 years ago, but we say that Selma is now, because the struggle for justice is right now." He went on to address voting rights and the mass incarceration of people of color, before turning his attention to those fighting to make things right. "When people are marching with our song, we want to tell you we are with you, we see you, we love you, and march on." (Photo via Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Leonardo DiCaprio, 2016: Despite plenty of stellar performances over the course of his career, DiCaprio repeatedly left the Oscars empty-handed. He finally got his moment in the spotlight in 2016, when he won Best Actor for his role in The Revenant . But instead of using the time just to reflect on his long road to an Academy Award, he took the opportunity to advocate for a cause near and dear to his heart.

"Making The Revenant was about man's relationship to the natural world, a world that we collectively felt in 2015 as the hottest year in recorded history. Our production needed to move to the southern tip of this planet just to be able to find snow," he began. "Climate change is real — it is happening right now. It is the most urgent threat facing our entire species, and we need to work collectively together and stop procrastinating. We need to support leaders around the world who do not speak for the big polluters or the big corporations, but who speak for all of humanity, for the indigenous people of the world, for the billions and billions of underprivileged people who would be most affected by this, for our children's children, and for those people out there whose voices have been drowned out by the politics of greed. I thank you all for this amazing award tonight. Let us not take this planet for granted. I do not take tonight for granted." (Photo via Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Patricia Arquette, 2015: Like Frances McDormand, Arquette used her Oscars win — for Best Supporting Actress in Boyhood — to draw attention to something bigger than her own performance. In a speech that sparked a gif-worthy response from Meryl Streep that still captures all of our moods in that memorable moment, Arquette told the crowd, "It's our time to have wage equality once and for all, and equal rights for women in the United States of America!" (Photo via Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Graham Moore, 2015: Moore accepted the Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar for The Imitation Game with a moving, honest speech about the real-life subject of the film and Moore's own painful past. "Alan Turing never got to stand on a stage like this and look out at all of these disconcertingly attractive faces. And I do. And that's the most unfair thing I think I've ever heard," he said. "So in this brief time here, what I want to use it to do is to say this: When I was 16 years old, I tried to kill myself, because I felt weird and I felt different and I felt like I did not belong. And now I'm standing here. So I would like this moment to be for that kid out there who feels like she's weird or she's different or she doesn't fit in anywhere. Yes, you do. I promise you do. Stay weird. Stay different. And then when it's your turn and you are standing on this stage, please pass the same message to the next person who comes along." (Photo via Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Lupita Nyong'o, 2014: Nyong'o earned rave reviews and a Best Supporting Actress award for her feature film debut in 12 Years a Slave. Her speech at the Oscars was joyful, heartfelt, and eloquent — everything you want from a winner. And after thanking her loved ones and other people involved in the film, she sent a hopeful message to all of her fellow dreamers: "When I look down at this golden statue, may it remind me and every little child that no matter where you're from, your dreams are valid." (Photo via Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Markéta Irglová, 2008: Irglová and Glen Hansard won the Best Original Song Oscar for "Falling Slowly," from the Irish musical romance Once . After Hansard gave his speech urging the audience to continue to "make art," the pair were ushered offstage. But host Jon Stewart later brought back Irglová so she could have a chance to speak, too — and thank goodness he did, because her heartfelt words were some of the best of the night.

"This is such a big deal, not only for us but for all other independent musicians and artists that spend most of their time struggling," she said in her speech . "The fact that we're standing here tonight, the fact that we're able to hold this, is just proof that no matter how far out your dreams are, it's possible. … This song was written from a perspective of hope, and hope at the end of the day connects us all, no matter how different we are." (Photo via Gabriel Bouys/AFP/Getty Images)

Halle Berry, 2002: Thanks to her performance in Monster's Ball , Berry became the first (and so far, only) Black woman to win Best Actress at the Oscars. "This moment is so much bigger than me," she told the audience through her tears. "This moment is for Dorothy Dandridge, Lena Horne, Diahann Carroll. It's for the women that stand beside me, Jada Pinkett, Angela Bassett, Vivica Fox. And it's for every nameless, faceless woman of color that now has a chance because this door tonight has been opened. Thank you. I'm so honored." (Photo via Getty Images)

Tom Hanks, 1994: Hanks won the first of his two Oscars in 1994, for the movie Philadelphia , in which he played a gay man who has AIDS and is fired from his law firm. In his moving acceptance speech , he paid tribute to the real-life victims of the AIDS epidemic, saying, "I know that my work in this case is magnified by the fact that the streets of heaven are too crowded with angels. We know their names. They number a thousand for each one of the red ribbons that we wear here tonight. They finally rest in the warm embrace of the gracious creator of us all, a healing embrace that cools their fevers, that clears their skin, and allows their eyes to see the simple, self-evident commonsense truth that is made manifest by the benevolent creator of us all and was written down on paper by wise men, tolerant men, in the city of Philadelphia 200 years ago." (Photo via Steve Starr/Corbis via Getty Images)

Elizabeth Taylor, 1993: After winning two Best Actress Oscars in 1961 and 1967, Taylor was honored with the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award in 1993. "Tonight I am asking for your help," she said in her speech. "I call upon you to draw from the depths of your being to prove that we are a human race. To prove that our love outweighs our need to hate. That our compassion is more compelling than our need to blame. That our sensitivity to those in need is stronger than our greed. That our ability to reason overcomes our fear. And that at the end of each of our lives, we can look back and be proud that we have treated others with the kindness, dignity, and respect that every human being deserves." (Photo via Barry King/Liaison via Getty Images)

Shirley MacLaine, 1984: MacLaine won Best Actress for Terms of Endearment in 1984 and charmed the audience with a heartfelt (and funny!) speech. "I'm gonna cry because this show has been as long as my career," she joked, before going on to reflect on her involvement in the film. "I don't believe there's any such thing as accidents," she mused. "I think we all manifest what we want and what we need. I don't think there's any difference, really, between what you feel you have to do in your heart and success. They're inseparable. … When you trust your own insides, and that becomes achievement, it's a kind of a principle that seems to me is at work with everyone. God bless that principle. God bless that potential that we all have for making anything possible if we think we deserve it. I deserve this. Thank you." (Photo via Ron Galella/WireImage)

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Oscars: The best acceptance speeches of all time from Gwyneth Paltrow to Marlon Brando

From gwyneth paltrow thanking the whole auditorium to angelina jolie declaring her love for her brother, we round up the most memorable speeches, article bookmarked.

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Halle Berry – Monster Ball, 2002

“This moment is so much bigger than me. This is for every nameless, faceless woman of colour that now has a chance because this door has opened.”

Through the shock and tears Halle Berry managed to realise just how historical the moment was for her as she became the first black woman to win the Oscar for Best Actress.

Angelina Jolie – Girl, Interrupted, 2000

After infamously kissing her brother on the Oscars red carpet, Angeline Jolie accepted her first Oscar by declaring she was "so in love with my brother right now".

Gwyneth Paltrow – Shakespeare in Love, 1999

After fighting through a torrent of tears, Gwyneth Paltrow managed to thank nearly everyone in the building.

Meryl Streep watches on like a concerned mother as the actress makes a heart-wrenching speech that finishes with a loving dedication to college friend Harrison Kravis and her cousin Keith.

Matthew McConaughey – Dallas Buyers Club, 2014

After returning to serious movies in 2011, the ‘McConaissance’ peaked in 2014 when the actor won his first Academy Award .

But after thanking all the regulars – God, Jared Leto and his family - the actor thanked his hero: himself in ten years’ time.

Meryl Streep – Iron Lady, 2011

As she accepted her third Oscar, Meryl Streep managed to hold back the tears just enough for a short speech that was both funny and gracious, making the 30 years since her last win for Sophie’s Choice seem like no time at all.

Tom Hanks – Forest Gump, 1995

For possibly his best film, Forrest Gump , Tom Hanks accepted his second award for Best Actor in a row, having won the previous year for his portrayal of Andrew Beckett in Philadelphia .

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In a passionate speech, the actor thanked his wife who he said “demonstrates for me everyday just what love is”.

Robin Williams – Good Will Hunting, 1998

“This might be the one time I am speechless”.

While many expected a speech full of impressions from the bouncing comedian, Robin Williams was gracious and almost out of breath. The actor thanked the Good Will Hunting cast and shared a quick story about his father who had once said he should make sure he has a “backup profession like welding”.

Marlon Brando – The Godfather, 1973

In a statement made by civil rights activist Sacheen Littlefeather, Marlon Brando said he refused to attend the ceremony because of the “treatment of Native Americans today in the film industry”.

Received by both booing and clapping, the acceptance speech, originally 15 pages, would go on to be one of the most controversial of all time.

Roberto Benigni – Life is Beautiful, 1999

After climbing over seats and skipping onto the stage, the enthusiastic Italian director tells presenter Sophia Loren “I lift this trophy but I want you. I want to be rocked by the waves of your beauty.”

What follows is comedy gold as the director, in a thick accent, thanks everyone and cracks jokes about his parents: “They gave me the biggest gift of poverty.”

Melissa Leo – The Fighter, 2011

Telling 94-year-old presenter Kirk Douglas to “pinch me” and proceeding to lightly flirt, the actress continues with the normal thanks and “I'm speechless” speech.

But then, out of nowhere: “When I watched Kate two years ago It looked so f*cking easy.” Cue hand in mouth, a large applause and a back-stage apology for giving the 2011 awards its only f-bomb.

Read more: A peek inside this year's Oscars goodie bag Oscars votes are actually cast by Hollywood house maids, Barry Norman claims

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10 Memorable Oscar Speeches

TAGGED AS: Oscars

There have been a number of memorable speeches over the course of the 90-year history of the Academy Awards, and last night’s ceremony featured a few of its own. With that in mind, we’ve compiled 10 of our favorite speeches — whether powerful and poignant or silly and endearing — by Oscar winners over the years.

Marlon Brando, 1973

Who took the stage when Marlon Brando won the Best Actor statue for  The Godfather  in 1973? Sacheen Littlefeather, an Apache woman whom Brando had sent in protest of Native American depiction in Hollywood films, in addition to the ongoing Wounded Knee siege that would ultimately lead to four deaths. Littlefeather was initially met with boos and jeers from the crowd, but ultimately earned overwhelming applause. Brando had written a 15-page speech detailing his beliefs but, the Academy refused to allow Littlefeather to read it, and immediately implemented new rules prohibiting proxy acceptances.

Sally Field, 1985

We’ve all heard this one: Sally Field, Best Actress winner for  Places in the Heart . The effusive Field accepted the Oscar by blurting: “You like me, you really like me!” But just like  Star Wars ‘ “Luke, I am your father,” or  Casablanca ‘s “Play it again, Sam,” the line is a misquote. What Field really said: “I can’t deny the fact that you like me, right now, you like me!” Her line is also a sly reference to her  Norma Rae   character (the Academy previously awarded her for the role), but what everyone saw was Field’s wildly earnest attitude, ripened for parody.

Jack Palance, 1991

It took Jack Palance only two minutes — while accepting the Best Supporting Actor award for  City  Slickers  — to ridicule Billy Crystal, bring the house down roaring with laughter (several times!), toss off a few one-armed pushups, and recount the  story of how it took 42 years for him to finally take home the big prize. It was the glorious moment when old-school cool and rugged Hollywood masculinity last took over the Oscar stage.

Joe Pesci, 1991

And the shortest entry in this list goes to the shortest acceptance speech in Oscar history. Joe Pesci, upon accepting the Best Supporting Actor award for  Goodfellas , simply remarked: “It’s my privilege. Thank you.” Then he beat someone to death backstage.

Tom Hanks, 1994

Once known strictly for comedy, Tom Hanks turned that business right around with his Best Actor win for  Philadelphia , portraying a closeted lawyer diagnosed with AIDS. From Hanks’ acceptance speech: “Mr. Rawley Farnsworth, who was my high school drama teacher, who taught me to act well the part, there all the glory lies. And one of my classmates under Mr. Farnsworth, Mr. John Gilkerson. I mention their names because they are two of the finest gay Americans, two wonderful men that I had the good fortune to be associated with, to fall under their inspiration at such a young age.” The problem? Farnsworth had yet to come out as gay. The blunder later inspired the Kevin Kline joint,  In & Out .

Cuba Gooding Jr., 1997

An ordinary speech demands you to be alert, pay attention, and maybe feel a little happy for the guy giving it. Cuba Gooding Jr.’s acceptance for Best Supporting Actor in  Jerry Maguire  was not ordinary. His words were blisteringly joyful; with each shoutout he gave a taste of what it feels like to have your biggest dreams, your earliest childhood fantasies, validated and come to life. The walk-off music only made it sound more epic.

Roberto Benigni, 1998

Roberto Benigni won Best Foreign Film for his Holocaust tragicomedy,  Life is  Beautiful . The giddy, ecstatic Italian famously hopped on some seats and greeted the crowd, whom he told he wanted to kiss while accepting the statue.  During his speech for his Best Actor win, he remarked, “There must be some terrible mistake! I used up all my English!” When presenting the Best Actress nominee the following year, Benigni was accompanied by Billy Crystal holding a giant net for restraint.

Lupita Nyong’o, 2014

Lupita Nyong’o won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her role as Patsey in  12 Years a Slave .  She began her poignant speech by acknowledging the suffering of the woman she’d portrayed, and after giving her tearful thanks to family and friends, the Mexican-Kenyan actress beamed, “When I look down at this golden statue, may it remind me and every little child that no matter where you’re from, your dreams are valid.” Not a dry eye in the room.

Patricia Arquette, 2015

Patricia Arquette won her Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her role in  Boyhood , the movie that took an epic 12 years to make. She capped her acceptance speech by declaring, “It’s our time to have wage equality once and for all and equal rights for women in the United States of America.” The statement received a whooping response from the likes of Meryl Streep and sparked a fight towards equal pay for women in Hollywood.

Frances McDormand, 2018

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri star Frances McDormand accepted her second Best Actress award (her first was in 1997 for the Coen brothers’ Fargo ) by first declaring, “I’m hyperventilating a little bit. If I fall over, pick me up, because I’ve got some things to say.” And boy, did she ever. After her thank yous, McDormand set her trophy on the floor and invited every female nominated for any award to stand, then enthusiastically encouraged everyone else to take meetings with them, because they’ve all got stories to tell. It was the perfect way to cap off a year of female empowerment in Hollywood, particularly in light of the ongoing #MeToo and Time’s Up movements, and her final words — “inclusion rider” — introduced a lot of people on social media to a concept we may be seeing a lot more of in the industry very soon.

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14 of the Best Oscar Speeches of All Time

We're looking back at the best of the best

The 89th Annual Academy Awards are Sunday, which means we're thinking about our favorite acceptance speeches (again).

No one has ever received a standing ovation for merely thanking the Academy, and your grandma isn't going to share a video of someone who just read off a long list of names most common folk don't recognize. So what makes a great acceptance speech? Is it the sincere enthusiasm as a result of winning? Is it a lot of happy tears? Is it a well-placed joke or political statement? Maybe it's a combination of all of the above!

Honestly, it's hard to predict what's going to kill it in the room, and it's equally hard to rank these 13 masterful speeches to say who's best. (Isn't winning enough of a feat?) So just enjoy our picks for the best Oscars speeches of all time below, in no particular order.

1. Halle Berry, Monster's Ball (2002)

In 2002, after receiving a standing ovation as the first African-American woman to win the award for Best Actress, an emotional Halle Berry ended up giving one of the best Oscars speeches of all time. "This moment is so much bigger than me," she said. "This moment is for Dorothy Dandridge, Lena Horne, Diahann Carroll. It's for the women that stand beside me: Jada Pinkett, Angela Bassett, Vivica Fox. And it's for every nameless, faceless woman of color that now has a chance because this door tonight has been opened."

2017 Oscar predictions: Who will win Best Actress?

2. Cuba Gooding, Jr., Jerry Maguire (1997)

Cuba Gooding, Jr. accepted the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Jerry Maguire with the right amount of excitement and enthusiasm one would expect from someone who just won an Oscar.

3. Common and John Legend, Selma (2015)

Most of the speeches on this list feature men and women whose talents were on display in front of the camera, but sometimes the best speeches come from non-actors. In 2015, John Legend and Common (under real names John Stephens and Lonnie Lynn) won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for the song "Glory" from Selma , and their emotionally- and politically-charged speech feels even more relevant and important today than it did two years ago.

4. Meryl Streep, Iron Lady (2012)

The official Academy clip of Meryl Streep 's acceptance speech for Iron Lady is on YouTube , but it's un-embeddable, which is a shame because from her witty opening remarks ("When they called my name, I had this feeling I could hear half of America go, 'Oh, no. Aw, c'mon, why? Her ? Again ?'") through to the end, it was a wonderful speech from one of acting's greatest talents. And when you realize this was only her third Oscar and her first in 29 years, it really put things in perspective.

16 actors you won't believe have never won an Oscar

5. Tom Hanks, Philadelphia (1994)

Tom Hanks won back-to-back Academy Awards in 1994 and 1995 for his performances in Philadelphia and Forrest Gump , but it was his first eloquent speech that sticks out as one of the best of all time. Just watch it and try not to cry.

6. Julie Andrews, Mary Poppins (1965)

When Dame Julie Andrews took home the Academy Award for Best Actress in 1965 for her performance in Mary Poppins she said, "I know you Americans are famous for your hospitality, but this is really ridiculous." There's nothing ridiculous about it, Julie.

7. Louise Fletcher, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1976)

Louise Fletcher 's acceptance speech for Best Actress for One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest was funny ("Well, it looks like you all hated me so much that you've given me this award for it, and I'm loving every minute of it"), but it was also incredibly heartfelt. She ended by thanking both her parents in sign language, and if you don't cry when she reaches that point, you have no heart.

Check out our Oscars coverage

8. Sally Field, Places in the Heart (1985)

It doesn't matter who you are, there's a very good chance you know -- or think you know -- the famous line from Sally Field 's acceptance speech for when she won the Oscar for Best Actress for her performance in Places in the Heart . "You like me, you really like me!" has been batted about in popular culture since it supposedly happened, but did you know Field actually said, "I can't deny the fact that you like me. Right now, you like me!" The more you know.

9. Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, Good Will Hunting (1998)

In 1998, Ben Affleck and Matt Damon were just two childhood friends who were excited and terrified to be onstage accepting the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for Good Will Hunting . As Affleck attempted to coherently thank as many people as possible in the small amount of time they were given, Damon apparently decided to start shouting out people's names instead, which was weird but also delightful.

10. Ruth Gordon, Rosemary's Baby (1969)

We should all aspire to be as witty as Ruth Gordon was during her acceptance speech for Best Supporting Actress in 1969, when she took home the award for her performance in Rosemary's Baby . "I can't tell you how encouraging a thing like this is," she said. "The first film that I was ever in was in 1915 and here we are and it's 1969. Actually, I don't know why it took me so long; though I don't think, you know, that I'm backward."

11. Kate Winslet, The Reader (2010)

It feels like Kate Winslet has won a thousand of these things because she's dazzling in everything she does, but in actuality she's only ever taken home one Academy Award out of seven nominations. While her acceptance speech may seem a little calmer than some of the other speeches on this list, between Winslet's dad whistling to let her know where he was sitting and telling Meryl Streep she had to suck it up because none of the actresses could believe they were nominated alongside her, it was a truly memorable speech.

2017 Oscar Predictions: Who will win Best Actor?

12. Joe Pesci, GoodFellas (1991)

A great speech doesn't need to be long. When Joe Pesci took home the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in GoodFellas , his speech was only six words long: "It was my privilege. Thank you."

13. Matthew McConaughey, Dallas Buyers Club (2014)

Smack dab in the middle of the McConaissance, Matthew McConaughey won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in Dallas Buyers Club . You may only remember the trademark "all right, all right, all right" at the end of his speech -- and why wouldn't you? -- but before that was an a surprisingly sentimental acceptance speech in which the actor also talked about how his hero is himself 10 years from now. It's sweet and makes sense when you watch it. Promise.

14. Barry Jenkins, Moonlight (2017)

OK, this one is less about the speech and more about the chaotic way the presentation of the winner for Best Picture happened. After Warren Beatty mistakenly awarded the Oscar to heavy favorite La La Land , everyone involved had to stop for a minute as the mistake -- Moonlight actually won -- was rectified. And it was as unforgettable as the best speeches of all time.

The 90th Academy Awards, hosted by Jimmy Kimmel , airs Sunday, March 4 at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT on ABC.

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“I’d Like to Thank…”: The Most Memorable Oscars Speeches of All Time

From the empowering to the hilarious to the downright controversial.

It’s nearly time for the 96th Academy Awards, and we’re all excited to see which of the 2024 nominees will end up bringing home the gold . But aside from judging looks on the red carpet and anticipating who’ll win big, there’s plenty of fun to be had in watching the actual speeches. After all, when a star delivers an Oscars speech, they’ve got the undivided attention of the film industry (and a hefty slice of the viewing public). And there’s no telling exactly what an actor will do with that power… 

If you think the acceptances are a snoozefest, allow us to remind you of some pretty game-changing Oscars speeches. Some include empowering words from trailblazing performers who want you to know that they’ve made history. Other actors use their time onstage to promote a political cause that needs more exposure. Then there are the total hams, who add some levity to a sometimes-dreary ceremony. And of course, there are the outliers that are just plain weird . So take a walk down memory lane and remember — at the Oscars, anything can happen.

The Most Memorable Oscars Acceptance Speeches

Shirley maclaine.

When Shirley MacLaine accepted the 1984 Best Actress Oscar for Terms of Endearment , she opened her tearful, heartfelt, and sassy speech with, “I’m going to cry because this [ceremony] has been as long as my career.” (An iconic line, to say the least.) “I have wondered for 26 years what this would feel like,” she continued. “Thank you so much for terminating the suspense.” 

Continuing her hilarious and bitingly honest repartee, she explained her take on manifestation (she was ahead of her time!), success, and her “middle-aged joy” at being able to do a raunchy scene with Jack Nicholson. She wrapped it up by saying, “I deserve this. Thank you.” We just can’t get enough of that confidence.

Marlon Brando

At the 45th Academy Awards, silver screen legend Marlon Brando won Best Actor for his performance in The Godfather. Unlike most actors, however, Brando wasn’t thrilled to receive the trophy. He was so ambivalent, in fact, that he sent Sacheen Littlefeather — an Apache woman and president of the National Native American Affirmative Image Committee — in his stead. Littlefeather refused the award at Brando’s request because of “the treatment of American Indians today by the film industry.” The speech was controversial at the time — she was both booed and applauded as she spoke. Plus, her words have remained contentious in the 21st Century, thanks to Littlefeather’s disputed Native ancestry . 

If you know anything about actress and activist Jane Fonda , then you know that she doesn’t shy away from controversy . In her 1979 acceptance speech for Best Actress (she won for her performance in Coming Home ), Fonda spoke while delivering her entire speech in sign language. “I’m signing part of what I’m saying tonight because while we were making the movie, we all became more aware of the problems of the handicapped. Over 14 million people are deaf. They are the invisible handicapped and can’t share this evening. So this is my way of acknowledging them.” The Academy Awards lacked closed captioning back then, so Fonda’s gesture was inclusionary and forward-thinking for the time. 

Ben Affleck and Matt Damon

Though they’re both famous actors, Ben Affleck and Matt Damon won Best Original Screenplay together in 1997 (to jog your memory, they penned Good Will Hunting ). Their speech was an immediate mess of chaos, as the pair shouted out thank yous, talking over each other and yelling at an increasingly quick pace. After thanking the whole city of Boston, the pair stumbled over one another to scream, “Whoever we forgot, we love you!” Hey, we admire their awareness of those infamous speech time limits. 

Halle Berry

In 2002, Halle Berry accepted the Best Actress award for her performance in Monster’s Ball . She was the first Black woman to win this prize; in her gripping speech, she tearfully acknowledged the rich history of the Black actresses who had come before her. “’This moment is so much bigger than me,” she said, before listing Black screen icons who’d paved the way for her success. “It’s for every faceless, nameless, woman of color who now has the chance because this door tonight has been opened,” she sobbed. 

Hattie McDaniel

Speaking of groundbreaking actresses, in 1940, Hattie McDaniel won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in Gone with the Wind . She was the first Black actor to win an Academy Award. “This is one of the happiest moments of my life,” McDaniel said while accepting the trophy. 

It’s notable, however, that McDaniel’s presence in the room wasn’t necessarily exemplary of Hollywood’s progressive values: The ceremony was held at a segregated hotel, and producer David O. Selznick had to request that McDaniel be allowed into the hotel’s nightclub to receive her hard-won award . And at the event, McDaniel was seated separately from her co-stars. The film industry clearly had a long way to go — and remains troubled by a legacy of discrimination in the 21st Century . 

Roberto Benigni

When most performers win an Oscar, they try to ascend to the stage with stoic grace. When Roberto Benigni won the Best Actor award for Life is Beautiful in 1999, he did not stick to the program. The Italian performer enthusiastically hugged whoever was in reach, a beaming grin plastered to his face (a momentary, light bout of jogging was also involved). 

Once onstage, Benigni effused, “This is a terrible mistake because I used up all my English!” He then proceeded to stammer a heavily accented deluge of joyful exclamations that include something about the planet Jupiter and “a mountain of snow.” If you want to experience true gratitude in its purest form, look no further than this speech.

Michelle Yeoh

In 2023, Michelle Yeoh won the Oscar for Best Actress for her performance in Everything Everywhere All at Once . She was the first Asian woman to win it — a full 96 years after the first Academy Award ceremony (which, wow ). Given the historic moment, Yeoh fittingly proclaimed that her win was bigger than herself: “For all the little boys and girls who look like me watching tonight, this is a beacon of hope and possibilities.” As a 60 year-old actress, she also added, “Ladies, don’t let anybody tell you you’re past your prime.” Hear, hear!

Ke Huy Quan

Also at the 95th Oscars, Ke Huy Quan won Best Supporting Actor —  also for his role in Everything Everywhere All at Once . A sobbing Quan ascended the stage and delivered a rousing speech, proclaiming that “My journey started on a boat. I spent a year in a refugee camp. And somehow, I ended up here on Hollywood’s biggest stage. They say stories like this only happen in the movies, I cannot believe that it’s happening to me. This is the American dream.” If your family has its own American dream story, you’ll appreciate this one. 

Olivia Colman

In 2019, Olivia Colman nabbed the Oscar for Best Actress for her performance in The Favourite . She started her speech with a cheeky line: “It’s genuinely quite stressful. This is hilarious. I’ve got an Oscar.” She rattled off a long list of thank yous — and when signaled to “wrap it up,” she stuck her tongue out at the teleprompter and blew a raspberry. Overwhelmed, she then pointed into the crowd and sputtered, “Lady Gaga!” at the songstress herself. If you think you’d dither under the pressure onstage at the Oscars, you’ll definitely relate. 

Daniel Kaluuya

If you love a mix of heartfelt emotion and slightly sordid comedy, look no further than Daniel Kaluuya accepting the Best Supporting Actor award for Judas and the Black Messiah . In his speech, he thanked his mother — a classic, no? Well, Kaluuya took a…different spin on that expected sentiment when he mused, “My mum and my dad…they had sex. It’s amazing! I’m here!” Well, you can’t say he’s wrong about the logistics. 

Heath Ledger

Here’s a sad one: In 2009, Heath Ledger won Best Supporting Actor for his star turn in The Dark Knight . But the actor had passed away the year prior. The award was received on Ledger’s behalf by his father, mother, and sister. The trio, understandably, ascended the stage very stoically. Ledger’s mother said, “Tonight we are choosing to celebrate and be happy for what he has achieved.” They accepted the award on behalf of Matilda, the daughter Ledger shared with actress Michelle Williams.

Barry Jenkins

Here’s a pick that isn’t awarding a particular performer — that said, it included an emotional speech given truly on the fly. The year was 2017, and the Best Picture award was clearly either going to the upbeat and fun musical, La La Land , or the very serious and touching Moonlight . Presenter Faye Dunaway announced that La La Land had won — but a couple of minutes (and a bit of commotion) later, producer Jordan Horowitz corrected the mistake: “ Moonlight , you guys won Best Picture. This is not a joke.”

Moonlight director and writer Barry Jenkins took to the stage and proclaimed, “Very clearly, even in my dreams this could not be true. But to hell with dreams, I’m done with it, because this is true. Oh my goodness.” It was a cinematic moment — and one that still inspires talk of conspiracies (though that’s a whole separate article).

Tilda Swinton

Very few acceptance speeches mention nipples, but at least one does. In 2008, Tilda Swinton accepted the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her role in Michael Clayton . After wryly comparing the “buttocks” of her new statue to those of her American agent, she thanked George Clooney for “the seriousness and the dedication to your art. Seeing you climb into that rubber bat suit from Batman & Robin , the one with the nipples, every morning under your costume, on the set, off the set, hanging upside-down at lunch. You rock, man.” Well, that’s one way to accept a once-in-a-lifetime award. 

Viola Davis

Can you really assemble an awards show speech list without including Viola Davis? (It feels both immoral and illegal.) In 2017, Davis won Best Supporting Actress for her role in Fences . She started her speech by saying, “There is one place that all the people with the greatest potential are gathered. One place. And that’s the graveyard.” 

She went on to clarify her desire to tell the stories of those people who had passed away without seeing their dreams come to fruition. “People ask me all the time, ‘What kind of stories do you want to tell, Viola?’ And I say, ‘Exhume those bodies. Exhume those stories.’” Davis explained that part of the joy of being an actor is getting to enact the lives of ordinary people. Since these speeches usually revolve around the honorees, it’s amazing that someone of Davis’ reputation and talent drew attention to those we don’t see on Hollywood stages. 

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Everyone Loves A Good Oscar Acceptance Speech, So Here Are The Most Memorable Moments And Iconic Acceptance Speeches Ever Given By Women in Oscar History

A fter the 2024 Academy Awards aired earlier in March, many film enthusiasts felt satisfied with the results and are now considering the award season to be over. While there are still a few smaller award shows still to be aired, most of the hoopla has come to an end.

We're also closing out on another important time in the year – Women's History Month. Before we move on from awards season and Women's History Month, I want to take a moment to celebrate both occasions by highlighting some of the most memorable moments for women in Oscar history.

Who doesn't love an iconic Oscar acceptance speech? Some of the best ones have been made by talented women who didn't take their moment on stage for granted and ones who made history the moment they held that tiny gold statue in their hands.

If you want to take a little trip down memory lane with me, here are some of women's best Oscar acceptance speeches.

Halle Berry winning 'Best Actress' in 2002

Halle Berry's amazing performance in "Monster's Ball" earned her the Academy Award for Best Actress in 2002. This was a huge moment for Halle and in history, as she became the first Black woman to win an Academy Award for Best Actress. 

Yup, that didn't happen until 2002.

"This moment is so much bigger than me," says a very emotional Halle, tears streaming down her face during her  acceptance speech.

Later in her speech, Halle states that her award was for "every nameless, faceless woman of color that now has a chance because this door tonight has been opened."

Chloé Zhao winning 'Best Director' in 2021

Anyone interested in the film industry and award shows knows that women have been severely overlooked and robbed regarding the Best Director category at the Academy Awards.

In 2021, Chloé Zhao made history by becoming the first woman of color to receive the Best Director award for her film "Nomadland," which she also adapted, edited, and produced.

In her sweet  acceptance speech,  Chloé shared a story about growing up in China with her father and how they'd memorize Chinese poems and stories. A line in one of those stories that meant a lot to Chloé translates to, "People at birth are inherently good."

"Those six letters had such a great impact on me when I was a kid, and I still truly believe them today, even though sometimes, it might seem like the opposite is true," says Chloé.

"I have always found goodness in the people I've met, everywhere I went in the world. So, this is for anyone who has the faith and the courage to hold on to the goodness in themselves and to hold on to the goodness in each other, no matter how difficult it is to do that."

Sally Field winning 'Best Actress' in 1985

The beloved Sally Field's iconic acceptance speech after she won Best Actress for her performance in "Places in the Heart" is still quoted by many pop culture lovers to this day. This was Sally's second Academy Award win. 

A joyful Sally began her speech by thanking her team and the cast of "Places in the Heart." She then acknowledges how her career didn't start as "orthodox" and how wonderful it was to be taken seriously as a hardworking actress by others in the film industry.

"I've wanted more than anything to have your respect," says a smiling Sally.

"The first time, I didn't feel it, but this time, I feel it, and I can't deny the fact that you like me. Right now, you like me!"

Frances McDormand winning 'Best Actress' in 2018

Frances McDormand had a lot of pressure on her shoulders when she accepted the Best Actress award for her performance in "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri" in 2018. She was the woman of the evening, and that night, many Hollywood stars supported the Time's Up and #MeToo movement.

Injustice and under-representation of women in film were a big part of the conversation that night, and Frances made sure to include it in  her speech in the coolest way.

"Okay, so I'm hyperventilating a little bit," began Frances.

"If I fall over, pick me up 'cause I've got some things to say."

Later in her speech, Frances asked that every single woman nominated for an Academy Award stand up so everyone in that room could celebrate them and give them the recognition they deserved.

"Okay, look around, everybody. Look around, ladies and gentlemen, because we all have stories to tell and projects we need financed. Don't talk to us about it at the parties tonight. Invite us into your office in a couple of days, or you can come to ours, whatever suits you best, and we'll tell you all about them."

It was a moment that had ladies in the audience and those sitting watching the show at home in tears.

Sacheen Littlefeather accepting the 'Best Actor' award for Marlon Brando in 1973

One of Marlon Brando's most iconic roles was Don Vito Corleone in "The Godfather." While many people anticipated his acceptance speech for the role, he chose not to attend the ceremony. He had Native American activist and actress Sacheen Littlefeather accept the award on his behalf.

Sacheen used  the moment  to speak out against the misrepresentation and mistreatment of Native people in Hollywood, a cause that led Marlon not to accept his Oscar.

"He very regretfully cannot accept this very generous award, and the reasons for this being are the treatment of American Indians today by the film industry and on television in movie reruns, and also with recent happenings at Wounded Knee," says Sacheen.

"I beg at this time that I have not intruded upon this evening and that we will in the future, our hearts and our understandings will meet with love and generosity."

The audience at the Oscars shamefully ridiculed Sacheen and tried to 'boo' her off the stage, but she kept her composure and finished her speech gracefully. It was a major moment in Oscars history.

Looking back on it, what was your favorite Oscar acceptance speech? Was it a recent one or one from years ago? 

The biggest Oscars speeches from over the years, ranked — from best to worst

Acceptance speeches are a fine art, and much like critiquing the looks at the Met Gala while wearing your PJs with your hand in a sharing bag of chilli heatwave Doritos, it is something everyone thinks they are capable of.

Don’t speak for too long, don’t cry too much, road test the jokes beforehand and always, always remember to thank your mum. It can’t be that hard, right? Wrong. With over 94 years of Oscars ceremonies as evidence, we can confidently say that not all acceptance speeches are good speeches. That being said, once you get a good one, you love and cherish it like a new born baby. They really can go either way.

For that exact reason, we have broken down historical Oscars speeches into the most fair, scientific criteria there is: Snog, Marry, Avoid. Come with us while we kiss, wed and ditch our way through the Academy Awards.

Snog: Frances McDormand, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, 2018

Frances McDormand accepted her Best Actress Oscar for Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri like only Frances McDormand could: stony faced, respectful and ready to lay down some truths. She begins flustered: “I’m hyperventilating a little bit, if I fall over pick me up because I’ve got some things to say.” By the end of this sentence, Dormand is cool, calm, and in total command of the room. She even seems a little angry. It’s the type of line delivery that gives you chills — she’s holding that little gold statue for a reason.

Marry: Viola Davis, Fences, 2016

Viola Davis taking to the stage to accept her Oscar (this was her third nomination) felt like something that was destined to happen sooner or later. And if you know Viola Davis, you know she gives good speeches. This was no exception. The best part is, she starts with an absolute clanger: “You know there’s one place, one place [where] all the people with the greatest potential are gathered,” she pauses, the room pauses with her, assuming it is the room she’s in right now — “The graveyard,” Davis says.

It seems a bit strange but she follows it up with the most moving tribute to untold stories and overlooked individuals. “People ask me all the time, ‘What kind of stories do you want to tell, Viola?’ and I say ‘Exhume those bodies. Exhume those stories.’” Boom.

Avoid: Sean Penn, Mystic River, 2004

Oooph. Sean Penn won Best Actor for his performance in Mystic River in 2004, got a standing ovation, and immediately made everyone wish they had remained seated. It’s not a terrible speech, it’s just extremely awkward. “If there’s one thing that actors know… other than there weren’t any WMD’s,” he begins, referencing the rationale behind the Iraq war. To be fair, he gets some whoops and whistles, but it feels like a strange place to begin.

He later admits he hasn’t written a speech, which makes everything make a lot more sense, but honestly maybe he should have opened with this. The rest of it is meandering and slow and he doesn’t really go out with a bang, making one of the biggest award acceptances of the night feel like a bit of a damp squib.

Snog: Daniel Kaluuya, Judas and the Black Messiah, 2022

This speech has some of the funniest and most authentic moments in Oscars history. Kaluuya accepted his award for Best Supporting Actor at a rather muted and empty (socially-distanced) Oscars ceremony and somehow managed to set the room on fire. Thanking the crowd for recognising his role in Judas and the Black Messiah, he addressed his mother: “For my mum, thank you so much for pouring into me, you gave me everything. You gave me my factory settings.”

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At points he simply takes it in, saying “Bro, we out here, yo” to himself. There’s a long list of thank yous, and then Kaluuya rounds it up with another brilliant reference to his mum: “My mum, my dad, they had sex! It’s amazing,” he jokes. His mum looks less than impressed and his sister puts her head in her hands, but we enjoyed it plenty.

Marry: Olivia Colman, The Favourite, 2019

This is a perfect Oscars acceptance speech on all counts. From the moment Olivia’s name is called and she sinks into her chair, to the people who surround her urging her to get up, to the Renaissance-painting-esque shot of her being kissed on both cheeks by her husband and Emma Stone, to the actual words she says: no notes.

She opens with a quintessentially British, “Ooh, it’s genuinely quite stressful,” and gets everyone laughing, then follows with the even better, “This is hilarious. Got an Oscar?!” The speech is short and sweet, she gets her thank yous out of the way quickly, and then ends it with a touching tribute to her fellow actresses. The best part is when she sees Lady Gaga sat in front of her and simply says: “Lady Gaga” and blows her a kiss. The whole thing is so chaotic it can’t help but bring a tear to your eye.

Avoid: Gwyneth Paltrow, Shakespeare in Love, 1999

Oh, Gwyneth, we love you, but this is not your finest hour. It starts off fine — she takes to the stage and says her thank yous (one of which has to go to Harvey Weinstein, which has not aged well for obvious reasons) but then she descends into tears. She gets so choked up she literally chokes, and can’t quite hold her voice from quavering.

All in all it’s not that bad, which is funny considering how it is regarded as one of the worst Oscar speeches of all time (huh, an emotional woman, who knew people could hate that?) but it is just a bit soppy. Especially considering the mega force she’s gone on to become, it’s strange to see the Goop Queen this simpering. Let’s hope she wins another one so she can get up there and flog some of her jade eggs this time.

Snog: Lupita N’Yongo, Twelve Years a Slave, 2014

What a speech! What a dress! What a cute little headband! First time winner (and nominee) Lupita N’Yongo absolutely nails her acceptance, getting up there and professing “YES!” out of pure joy, then moving seamlessly into emotional territory. “It doesn’t escape me for one moment that so much joy in my life is thanks to so much pain in someone else’s.”

She goes on to land more emotional hard hitters, like, “Thank you so much for putting me in this position, it has been the joy of my life,” and her final note: “When I look down at this golden statue, may it remind me and every little child that no matter where you’re from, your dreams are valid.” One for the history books.

Marry: Marlon Brando, The Godfather, 1976

In a move that shocked many at the time (and still remains pretty shocking now) Marlon Brando failed to turn up to accept his Oscar for The Godfather and instead sent Sacheen Littlefeather in his place. She used her time to talk about the negative portrayals of Native American people in Hollywood — a sentiment which, you’d expect, to be accepted as fair criticism. Not in 1976! Littlefeather was interrupted by a chorus of catcalls and boos and legend has it John Wayne had to be physically restrained to stop him invading the stage. Yikes. Anyway Littlefeather killed it, and props to Brando for having this awareness back when so many other members of the Academy were lacking it.

Avoid: Angelina Jolie, Girl, Interuppted, 2000

We’ve tried to forget Angelina Jolie’s phase of being OTT with her brother, James Haven. But we’re reaching into the far recesses of your mind and wrenching it back into your consciousness because this is an Oscars speech for the awkward Oscars speech hall of fame. Jolie, who is serving full Morticia Addams, rises to the stage to accept her Best Actress award and subsequently declares: “I’m so in love with my brother right now.” Not “I love my brother so much right now,” no, “I’m so *in love* with my brother right now.” And yes, that might seem like a rather harsh reading of her speech, but she did go on to literally kiss him on the lips later in the night, so…

Snog: Julia Roberts, Erin Brokovich, 2001

It’s hard not to love Julia Roberts giving an acceptance speech when she’s flashing those massive gnashers at you like the Cheshire Cat. When the producers try to play her off a little too hastily she quickly hits back, “Sir, you’re doing a great job but you’re so quick with that stick, so why don’t you sit, because I may never be here again!” She talks about how grateful she is to be nominated, saying: “It just felt like such a triumph to me to be in that list, my name starts with R so I’m always last but I still love the list.” She gets distracted, talks about how pretty the statue is, veers into talking about her dress — it’s a mess and it’s great.

Marry: Halle Berry, Monster’s Ball, 2002

A monumental moment in history — Halle Berry winning Best Actress for Monster’s Ball marked the first time a Black woman had ever won the award. And, in an ultra depressing update, nearly 20 years have passed and she’s still the only one. But, on a positive note, her speech is brilliant. She acknowledges the milestone, saying, “This moment is so much bigger than me,” and dedicates the award to black actresses past and present. “This moment is for Dorothy Dandridge, Lena Horne, Diahann Carroll. It’s for the women that stand beside me, Jada Pinkett, Angela Bassett, Vivica Fox. And it’s for every nameless, faceless woman of colour that now has a chance because this door tonight has been opened.” A perfect speech — hopefully we see that door actually get some use sometime soon.

Avoid: Jane Fonda, Klute, 1972

A quite frankly hilariously short speech from Fonda. Known for being outspoken and verbose, this felt a bit weird from her, but who knows, maybe she had places to be.

Snog: The La La Land fiasco, 2017

Oh, what a tonic. The Oscars had gotten so boring by this point that when this happened I wanted someone to pour it down my gullet so I could swallow it whole. Drink it up baby, this is real drama. To recap: Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty took to the stage to announce Best Picture, but were handed the wrong envelope, which confuses Beatty, so he hands to to Dunaway and she reads out “La La Land”, when what it actually says is “Emma Stone — La La Land” from back when Best Actress was announced. Chaos ensues and the faces in the audience are honestly priceless. Watch if you’re ever feeling down. (Unless you’re Damien Chazelle, sorry Damien Chazelle).

Marry: Leonardo DiCaprio, The Revenant, 2016

Remember when everyone was astounded by Leonardo Dicaprio’s lack of an Oscar? Well, he got one for The Revenant in 2016 and the house whoops for so long he can barely give a speech. His silky smooth tones deliver the speech with panache, and he’s just very classy about it all, plus he brings up climate change, so this is a strong marry.

Avoid: The McConnaissance, Dallas Buyers Club, 2014

You know when you get stuck at a party talking to some guy who is just… on one. Matthew McConaughey is this guy when he wins his Oscar. It starts off fine but then he veers onto this tangent of him being his own hero and it goes on for so long and gets so convoluted that he can’t even save it with his trademark “Alright alright alright” at the end. Short and sweet guys, short and sweet! On that note, I’m out.

Hip Hop Awards ’20: Best Acceptance Speeches Of All Time

Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/FilmMagic; Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/WireImage; Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for BET

The "I Am Hip Hop" award at the BET Hip Hop Awards is like rap’s Nobel Peace Prize. Awarded to emcees that have crafted legendary lyrical legacies throughout decades-long careers, this trophy goes to the greats who have built hip-hop in their image. Since the inception of hip-hop at a house party in Brooklyn in 1973, there have been millions of rappers to grace the microphone and work to leave a lasting footprint on the culture. The "I Am Hip Hop" award celebrates the titans who successfully do so. 

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Since the first BET Hip Hop Awards in 2006, celebrated emcees have received the award yearly, starting with Grandmaster Flash to Lil Kim in 2019.  Here are five of the best acceptance speeches and notable quotes from the trophy recipients in the last 14 years. 

“I refuse to stop”

Weezy F. Baby started  as a wide-eyed rapping pre-teen, rolling around with Cash Money, and has grown to become, widely considered by many, one of the best rappers in history. With over 120 million records sold worldwide, five Grammys under his belt, and five albums that have gone at least platinum, it’s safe to say that Lil Wayne’ s calling himself the “Best Rapper Alive” is confirming that he is one of the greatest of all time.

When the rapper accepted the I Am Hip Hop Award at the 2018 BET Hip Hop Awards, he was joined on stage by his daughter, Reginae , and his mother, dedicating the award to the “people that refuse.” He elaborated on the term, saying it was for the “people who refused to stop supporting me, the people who refused to see me as not putting an album out in six years. You guys respected me, you guys supported me, you came to every show, you respect every album, every feature.”

His emotional speech moved on from his supporters and thanked “Uncle Bob,” a detective who made sure that the rapper was okay, back when he was a teenager, after a life-threatening incident. After showering everyone with praise for refusing to give up on him, Lil Wayne ended the touching note with one last announcement: “I refuse to stop.”

“I love you to the Heavens, Biggie”

Aaron J. Thornton/WireImage

Also known as The Queen Bee, Lil Kim is, without a doubt, one of the most influential women in rap’s history. Her powerful raps and uncompromising style made her feminine anthems of the late 90s and early 2000s transcend their time periods to become unforgettable odes to the confident woman’s experience. Without her, there’d be no Nicki Minaj , no Megan Thee Stallion , no Mulatto , and no contemporary female rap as we know it. She’s a legend in every sense of the word. 

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She took the stage at the 2019 BET Hip Hop Awards and immediately went on an extended tour of thanks for her massive family. Afterward, she spoke about her relationship with the Notorious B.I.G. whom she believes still watches over her over two decades after his death.

“I don’t know if any of yall know how it feels to have an angel following you all around all the time, but that’s Biggie,” she said, pointing to the sky. “I’m going to always love him, I’m always going to ride for him, I don’t play about him, that’s just what it is,” she continued. “I love you to the Heavens, Biggie.”

"As long as you have a tongue, you’re not too old to rap”

Alberto Rodriguez/BET/Getty Images for BET

Hip-hop’s deadliest pen belongs to Ice Cube , who cut his teeth with N.W.A. before embarking on a legendary solo trek that brought out hits like “Today Was A Good Day” and “Gangsta Rap Made Me Do It.” He’s largely responsible for hip-hop’s integration into the masses, and to say that he’s done anything less than legendary over the course of his career would be a  lie.

He accepted his award with his gruff signature demeanor at the 2009 Hip Hop Awards and used his speech to address the hip hop nation. “We got to do what we feel,” he said. “We can’t be slaves to video programmers, we can’t be slaves to radio programmers, A&R’s, we got to be slaves to our own creative minds. To all the old people in the house, keep doing your music. Don’t let the industry push you out. Keep doing what you feel. As long as you have a tongue, you’re not too old to rap.”

“And ladies, if you want to be treated like a queen, act like one”

Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images for BET

Legendary rapper MC Lyte is one of the pioneers of rap for women, creating poignant, conscious songs that have withstood the test of time. She set the tone in 1988, at 17, with her debut release, “I Cram To Understand U (Sam) about the impact of drug addiction on relationships and built upon her pensive, thoughtful focus throughouther career. MC Lyte receiving the I Am Hip Hop Award at the 2013 BET Hip Hop Awards was a perfect move to further cement her Grammy-nominated legacy as nothing short of illustrious. 

Equally legendary was her acceptance speech which was about more than just thanking her family, friends, and supporters, but also about giving some advice to men and women everywhere.

“Men, we are depending on you,” she said. “We need you to protect us when no one will. So stop cursing us out all the time, okay? Find some love for us somewhere, God bless.” She ended her statement with a demand for women listening to her speech. “And ladies, if you want to be treated like a queen, act like one.”

“I don’t pretend, I love who I’ve been my whole journey”

Leon Bennett/Getty Images

On a serious note, who’s done it bigger than Uncle Snoop? The Doggfather has sold more than 35 million albums worldwide  since his debut album, Doggystyle, dropped in 1993. Everyone knows his whispering snarl found on hip-hop classics like “Gin & Juice” and Dr. Dre’s “Nuthin But A G Thang,” and he’s appeared in movies, comedy roasts, and several TV shows as a host, co-host, and a kid’s football coach.

In the spirit of invention and reinvention that have both been quintessential to hip hop, he’s also explored several genres like reggae and gospel on his quest to continue to be the groundbreaking artist  he was when he came into the game. Snoop is more I Am Hip Hop than, perhaps, anyone. 

When he received the award in 2016, in his heartfelt speech, he devoted time to thanking his peers for giving him the respect that he initially didn’t strive for and also addressed the next generation of rappers and their creativity. 

“A lot of people don’t understand you all, and you’re misunderstood,” he said. “They didn’t understand me in the beginning,either. So you have to keep pushing, stay who you are, and be diverse. Hip-hop was created many years ago, and it’s grown and taken people so many places. And you have to understand, as a young emcee, as a young artist, that you always have to be who you are because at, the end of the day, you have to live with who you are.”

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“I don’t pretend, I love who I’ve been my whole journey,” he continued. “I ain’t ever been nobody but me, and I will continue to be me. And I say that to all of the young emcees that’s pushing they push right now, because I’m loving where hip-hop is going. I’m loving how yall are taking it across the world and are uniting people. People don’t understand that music is the universal language of all people. This is the way for us to come together.”

The 2020 Hip Hop Awards will air on BET October 21 at 8/9c.

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The five best Oscar speeches of all time

You don’t make it into the history books for simply saying “I’d like to thank the Academy.”

The Oscar acceptance speech is a tricky and unique part of pop culture. It’s simultaneously a victory lap for the person who worked hard to get the industry’s highest honor and a public platform. It must be eloquent but not overly prepared. Reading the speech just doesn’t feel as good.

As hard as it is to pull off a truly great Oscar speech, it has been done. Earlier speeches by Julie Andrews in 1965 ("I know you Americans are famous for your hospitality, but this is really ridiculous") and Ruth Gordon in 1969 ("I can't tell you how encouraging a thing like this is") were on the right track, but in recent years, recipients have truly honed the craft. We’ve rounded up the five best.

1. Tom Hanks (1994)

Taking best actor for Philadelphia , Hanks exhibited the qualities that have helped him remain one our most beloved movie stars. He thanked his wife, praised his co-stars and accidentally outed his high-school drama teacher. But the part everyone remembers is the moving tribute he made to AIDS victims.

“The streets of heaven are too crowded with angels. We know their names. They number a thousand for each of the red ribbons we wear here tonight,” Hanks said.

2. Halle Berry (2002)

Wearing a dress that would go down as one of the best Oscar looks of all time, the Monster's Ball star delivered an emotional and powerful speech. Berry was the first black woman to win best actress and her speech, delivered between sobs and gasps, recognized the gravity of the win.

“This moment is so much bigger than me,” she said. “This moment is for Dorothy Dandridge, Lena Horne, Diahann Carroll. It's for the women that stand beside me: Jada Pinkett, Angela Bassett, Vivica Fox. And it's for every nameless, faceless woman of color that now has a chance because this door tonight has been opened.”

3. Cuba Gooding Jr. (1997)

Sometimes love is all you need. And enthusiasm.

When Gooding won best supporting actor for Jerry Maguire , his earnest, sweet speech brought the crowd to its feet. When the music threatened to silence him before he got in all of his thanks, Gooding got louder.

“Everybody who's involved with this! I love you! I love you! I love you!”

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4. Sally Field (1985)

We liked her.

Sometimes a speech rises above its time and place and becomes its own part of the zeitgeist. Sally Field's joyful acceptance of the best actress award for  Places in the Heart  was one of those moments. Her cry of "You like me!" (not "You really like me" as some mistakenly quote) has taken on a life of its own.

"I haven't had an orthodox career and I've wanted more than anything to have your respect," she said. "I can't deny the fact that you like me. Right now, you like me!"

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5. Jack Palance (1992)

Inspirational speeches can move the audience. But so can comedic ones.

When Palance won best supporting actor for  City Slickers  at age 73, he celebrated by dropping to the stage for some one-armed pushups.

“You know, a long time ago in 1949, first picture ... I'd been shooting about two weeks and the producer came to me,” Palance said. “He says, ‘Jack, you're going to win the Academy Award.’ Can you believe it? Forty-two years later, he was right.”