The 2025 Oscars gala will be one for the record books for numerous reasons, but one highlight transcended them all: Adrien Brody’s historic acceptance speech. The star actor, recipient of the Best Supporting Actor award for his turn in the low-budget drama The Last Canvas, gave the longest Oscars speech of all time at a duration of slightly more than six minutes.
Brody’s passionate and emotional address captivated the Dolby Theatre audience in Los Angeles. He began by thanking the director, cast, and crew of the movie, but then widened his address to speak about his career, the challenges of the profession, and the pertinence of storytelling during a crisis.
This moment is not about me,” Brody stated. “It’s for all of those who have ever had the bravery to dream, who have ever been rejected and held on, who have ever believed in the power of art to change their lives. It’s for all of us.”.
The speech, including personal anecdotes and a plea for diversity and inclusivity in Hollywood, took a standing ovation from the tinsel-town-heavy gathering. Twitter exploded with accolades to the genuine and eloquent Brody’s speech and described it as one of the most memorable Oscar moments in the last few years.
But not everyone was impressed with the length of Brody’s speech. It’s Oscar tradition that winners have 45 seconds to make their acceptance comments before the orchestra cuts them off. Brody’s six-minute speech extended the ceremony time, and some good-natured jokes were made about it by host John Mulaney later in the show.
“Adrien Brody just gave us all a lesson in how to win an Oscar and a marathon simultaneously,” Mulaney cracked.
Even though he was getting the good-natured kidding, Brody’s words rang true with both audiences and industry professionals. Numerous people complimented him on using his platform to talk about significant matters, such as mental illness and the need for more independent movies in commercial films.
Brody’s victory for The Last Canvas is a return to the Oscars podium in triumph, two decades following his record Best Actor triumph for The Pianist in 2003. His acting in the movie, which uncovers the life of an impoverished artist, has been touted as a role-defining performance.
As the Oscars continue to evolve, moments like Brody’s record-breaking speech remind us of the power of authenticity and the enduring impact of heartfelt storytelling.
