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It is traditional for recipients of an Academy Award to deliver an Oscar speech. Though speeches are common for award ceremonies, it is a particularly significant feature of the Academy Awards due to their wide-reaching audience and history of featuring prominent celebrities.

Oscar speeches have always been a significant aspect of the ceremony, and have often been very influential. Some of the best speeches have changed people's opinions about a celebrity and it is one of the rare times the public get to see the real side of the award winner. Some even say that an Oscar speech can make or break an actor. NineMSN explains, "If you're an Academy Award-winning celeb, you can either give a boring run-of-the-mill acceptance speech, a touching acceptance speech, or a crazy O.T.T. acceptance speech".^[1] The New Yorker said "Common pitfalls include self-aggrandizement (King of the World James Cameron), excessive weepiness (Gwyneth Paltrow), and sheer who-invited-this-person weirdness (Melissa Leo). Some are passive-aggressive (Shirley MacLaine, who thanked Debra Winger for her “turbulent brilliance”). Some are strident (Vanessa Redgrave, who chided “Zionist hoodlums”). Some are unsettling (Angelina Jolie, who declared herself “so in love with my brother right now”). At their best, they offer a jolt of liberating mania (Roberto Benigni), or a banquet of finely calibrated self-deprecation, gratitude, and poise (Meryl Streep)."^[2]

Sometimes a confusing or ambiguous statement made in a speech can attract attention in the media. In Angelina Jolie's Best Supporting Actress speech in 2000 for Girl, Interrupted, she said "I'm so in love with my brother right now!", leading to accusations of incest.^[1]

The New Yorker graded the speeches in the 2013 Academy Awards, a common practice amongst news outlets. Christopher Waltz's "short and classy speech...without condescension" was graded an A- while Quentin Tarantino's "rubber-faced self-mythologizing" was graded a C.^[2]

At the 2013 Oscars Jennifer Lawrence fell when approaching the stage to accept the award for Best Actress. She graciously made up for her fall in her speech by saying, "You guys are all just standing because I fell and that's really embarrassing." By the next day pictures of her fall were all over the internet. Her fall was mentioned by host Ellen DeGeneres in her opening monologue at the 2014 Oscars.

Many lines from Oscar speeches have become iconic, entering the pop cultural vernacular as quotes. They are often spoofed in other media. Some speeches comment on the film industry ("We are part of an artistic family ... and most actors don't work, they have to practice accents while driving a taxi. And some of us are so lucky to work with writing, to work with directing. And to that artistic family that strives for excellence, none of you have ever lost, and I am proud to share this with you." Dustin Hoffman 1979). Some are heartfelt messages to friends, family, and supporters. Some raise awareness for sensitive topics ("Tonight I am asking for your help. 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." Elizabeth Taylor 1993 on AIDS), while others are funny insights.^[3]

Sometimes people do unexpected things during their Oscar speeches. For example, when Jack Palance accepted an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor in 1992, he did one-arm pushups on the floor to demonstrate his physical strength and counteract the view by executives of not wanting to "risk" hiring an elderly person for fear they may die during the shoot.^[4]

In order to prevent on-stage rambling, Oscar speeches are restricted to a time limit of 45 seconds. There is play-off music after an actor has reached their time limit, and there are reminders on the teleprompter. If they take too long, the microphone cuts out. In 2008, Jack Black and Will Ferrell performed a song to the tune of the piece of music.

In 1973, Marlon Brando famously refused an Oscar due to his support of Native Americans. A part of his speech was read on stage by Shasheen Littlefeather.^[5]

There are certain recurring themes in Oscar speeches, particularly in the people thanked. These can range from an actor's agent to the film's director, to their co-stars, to God, to their idols, and to their parents.

External links[edit]

Oscar speech database

References[edit]

^ ^a ^b "Best and worst Oscar speeches". Retrieved 14 February 2014.
^ ^a ^b Schulman, Michael (25 February 2013). "The Oscars: Grading the Speeches". Retrieved 14 February 2014. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
^ http://www.oscarworld.net/ow.asp?P=12
^ Video on YouTube
^ Brando, Marlon (30 March 1973). "That Unfinished Oscar speech". Retrieved 14 February 2014. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)

Category:Academy Awards ceremonies

[best_and_worst-1] "Best and worst Oscar speeches". Retrieved 14 February 2014.

[Grading-2] Schulman, Michael (25 February 2013). "The Oscars: Grading the Speeches". Retrieved 14 February 2014. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)

[3] ttp://www.oscarworld.net/ow.asp?P=12

[4] Video on YouTube

[5] Brando, Marlon (30 March 1973). "That Unfinished Oscar speech". Retrieved 14 February 2014. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)

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