Adrien Brody has officially made history at the 2025 Academy Awards, securing not just the Best Actor trophy for his performance in The Brutalist but also a Guinness World Record. The actor now holds the title for delivering the longest acceptance speech in Oscars history, surpassing a record that had stood for over 80 years.
This marks Brody’s second Oscar win for Best Actor, his first being in 2003 for The Pianist.
A Speech That Made History
Brody’s speech lasted an impressive 5 minutes and 40 seconds, narrowly surpassing the previous record set by Greer Garson in 1943 when she accepted the award for Mrs. Miniver with a 5-minute, 30-second speech.
The actor, who triumphed over nominees Timothée Chalamet, Sebastian Stan, Colman Domingo, and Ralph Fiennes, was in no rush to leave the stage.
“Turn the Music Off!” – Brody’s Command to the Orchestra
When the customary exit music began playing at the 40-second mark, Brody immediately signaled for it to stop. “Turn the music off! I’ve done this before. Thank you. It’s not my first rodeo, but I will be brief,” he said.
However, despite his promise, Brody went on to deliver a heartfelt speech about the unpredictability of an acting career.
A Reflection on the Fragility of Acting
Brody used his moment in the spotlight to highlight the challenges of being an actor, emphasizing the uncertainties that come with the profession.
“It looks very glamorous, and at certain moments it is. But the one thing that I’ve gained having the privilege to come back here is to have some perspective,” he shared. “No matter where you are in your career, no matter what you’ve accomplished, it can all go away. And I think what makes this night most special is the awareness of that, and the gratitude that I have to still do the work that I love.”
A Powerful Call for Change
Shifting the focus beyond Hollywood, Brody used his speech to address broader social issues, including war, oppression, anti-Semitism, and racism.
“I’m here once again to represent the lingering traumas and the repercussions of war and systematic oppression, and of anti-Semitism, and racism, and of othering,” he stated. “And I believe that—I pray for a healthier and happier, and a more inclusive world. And I believe if the past can teach us anything, it’s a reminder to not let hate go unchecked.”
He closed his speech with a heartfelt message:
“OK, I’ll get out of here, I love you, I appreciate you all. Let’s fight for what’s right, keep smiling, keep loving one another, let’s rebuild together. Thank you.”
Not the First Time Brody Defied the Oscars Music
This wasn’t the first time Brody had dismissed the Oscars’ attempt to hurry him off stage. In 2003, after winning his first Academy Award, he also resisted the timekeepers’ musical cue, saying, “One second, please. One second. Cut it out. I got one shot at this.”
A Memorable Night at the Oscars
Adrien Brody’s record-breaking speech will go down as one of the most unforgettable moments in Academy Awards history. While some may debate the length of his speech, there’s no doubt that his words carried a powerful message that resonated beyond the glitz and glamour of Hollywood.
The Information is Collected from NBC News and Deadline.
