Olivia Colman, Best Actress, The Favourite, 2019
Genuinely shocked, and totally joyous, Olivia Colman’s speech after winning Best Actress for her performance in ‘The Favourite’ — over seven-time nominee Glenn Close, who has heavily tipped to finally win her first Oscar — was humble, hilarious, and pitch perfect.
Roberto Benigni, Best Foreign Language Film, Life Is Beautiful, 1999
From climbing on the seats of the theater, to asking to kiss everyone in the audience, Roberto Benigni unleashed what he called a “hailstorm of gratitude” as he collected his Oscar for the Italian comedy drama ‘Life Is Beautiful’.
Halle Berry, Best Actress, Monster’s Ball, 2002
Halle Berry was the first Black woman to win Best Actress for her role in ‘Monster’s Ball’, and delivered an iconic speech worthy of the moment. “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.”
Tom Hanks, Best Actor, Philadelphia, 1994
Showing the warm charm that has made him one of the world’s most beloved movie stars, Tom Hanks marked his Best Actor gong for ‘Philadelphia’ with a moving tribute to AIDS victims and his high school drama teacher — who he accidentally outed in the process.
Eddie Redmayne, Best Actor, The Theory of Everything, 2015
Honest, and a little bit awkward, we love the authenticity of Eddie Redmayne’s speech, after he won his Best Actor Oscar for his portrayal of scientist Stephen Hawking in ‘The Theory of Everything.’ Worth a watch for his little jigs of joy alone.
