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.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
8 Anna Paquin - The Piano (1993)
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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.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
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.”
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.
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.
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.
