Adrien Brody etched his name into Oscar history at the 97th Academy Awards, delivering the longest acceptance speech ever recorded in the event’s history. Winning Best Actor for his role in The Brutalist, Brody spoke for an astonishing 5 minutes and 40 seconds, surpassing the previous record held by Greer Garson, whose legendary 5-minute, 30-second speech in 1943 had remained untouched for over eight decades.
The moment began with Brody taking the stage to a standing ovation, visibly moved by the honor. After blowing a kiss to the audience, he embarked on what started as a standard acceptance speech but soon evolved into an emotional, deeply personal reflection on his journey as an actor, his gratitude for the opportunity, and the broader implications of the film’s message.
Despite multiple attempts by the orchestra to play him off, Brody persisted, humorously pleading with the producers to let him continue. “I’m wrapping up, please, please, please. I will wrap up. Please, turn the music off,” he said, drawing laughter and applause from the audience. The speech, while lengthy, was filled with heartfelt thanks to his parents, whom he credited with providing him a “sound foundation of respect and kindness,” as well as a tribute to his The Brutalist co-stars, director Brady Corbet, and the film’s crew.
Brody also used the moment to address the film’s themes, touching on historical trauma, systemic oppression, and the resilience of the human spirit. The Brutalist, a black-and-white period drama, explores the life of an immigrant architect navigating post-war America, a story that Brody passionately described as “a testament to perseverance and the pursuit of artistic integrity in the face of adversity.” His impassioned words resonated with many in the audience, turning what could have been an overlong speech into a rare moment of sincerity and depth.
You can see the full speech here:
His speech not only set a record but also ignited conversations about Oscar speech etiquette. While some viewers found the length excessive, others praised the emotional weight and authenticity of his words. In contrast to the strict time limits imposed on most winners, Brody’s speech recalled a bygone era when Oscar winners could take their time to fully express their thoughts—a stark contrast to today’s rushed acceptance speeches often drowned out by music cues.
The Brutalist At The Oscars
The Brutalist itself had a strong presence at the ceremony, also winning Best Cinematography and Best Original Score. The film, lauded for its haunting aesthetic and poignant storytelling, has cemented its place as one of the most talked-about productions of the year, with Brody’s performance receiving widespread acclaim.
This isn’t the first time Brody has made history at the Oscars. In 2003, he became the youngest actor ever to win Best Actor for his role in The Pianist, a record he still holds. His unexpected on-stage kiss with presenter Halle Berry that night also remains one of the most discussed moments in Oscar history.
With this latest achievement, Brody has once again ensured his place in Oscar lore. His record-setting speech will likely be remembered as one of the most remarkable moments in the Academy Awards’ long history—whether for its length, its emotion, or its ability to hold an audience captive in an age of ever-shortening attention spans.
Key Takeaways
- Adrien Brody’s 5-minute, 40-second Oscar acceptance speech broke an 82-year record previously held by Greer Garson.
- Brody won the Best Actor award for his performance in “The Brutalist” at the 2025 Academy Awards.
- Despite hinting at keeping his remarks brief, Brody delivered what is now officially the longest acceptance speech in Oscar history.
Adrien Brody’s Record-Breaking Oscar Acceptance Speech
Adrien Brody made Oscar history at the 2025 Academy Awards with his acceptance speech for Best Actor. His remarks broke the longstanding record for the longest speech ever delivered at the prestigious ceremony.
Duration and Historical Comparison
Brody spoke for an impressive 5 minutes and 40 seconds after winning Best Actor for his performance in “The Brutalist.” This lengthy speech officially surpassed the previous record set by actress Greer Garson, whose acceptance speech lasted 5 minutes and 30 seconds. Garson’s record had stood since 1943 when she won for “Mrs. Miniver.”
The Academy typically encourages winners to keep their speeches brief, often playing music to signal when speakers should conclude their remarks. However, Brody’s speech continued well beyond the standard time allocation.
Guinness World Records has confirmed Brody’s speech as the new record holder for longest Oscar acceptance speech in the ceremony’s 97-year history.
Content of The Speech
Brody began his record-setting speech by blowing a kiss to the audience before launching into his extensive remarks. His acceptance covered numerous topics as he expressed gratitude to the film’s director, Brady Corbet.
He spoke at length about his experience portraying the challenging role in “The Brutalist,” detailing the emotional and physical transformation required. Brody also took time to thank his family, colleagues, and the entire production team.
The speech resonated with the audience despite its unusual length. Viewers noted Brody’s genuine emotion and passion for the project throughout his remarks.
This isn’t Brody’s first memorable Oscar moment. In 2003, when he won for “The Pianist,” he famously kissed presenter Halle Berry on stage, creating another iconic Academy Awards moment.
The Brutalist: Brody’s Award-Winning Role
Adrien Brody’s performance in “The Brutalist” earned him his second Academy Award for Best Actor, cementing his reputation as one of the most dedicated method actors of his generation. The film showcases Brody’s remarkable ability to physically and emotionally transform for a role.
Overview of The Brutalist
“The Brutalist” tells the story of László Toth, a Hungarian-Jewish architect who survives the Holocaust and immigrates to America in the 1950s. Throughout the film, we follow his struggle to rebuild his life and career while dealing with trauma, discrimination, and artistic compromise.
Directed by Brady Corbet, this three-and-a-half-hour epic spans several decades of László’s life. The film’s title serves as a double meaning – referring both to the architectural style Toth works in and the harsh realities he faces in post-war America.
The narrative explores themes of artistic integrity, cultural identity, and the immigrant experience. Shot in striking black and white that transitions to color, the film’s visual style mirrors Toth’s evolving perspective on his adopted homeland.
Brody’s Performance and Preparation
For his role as László Toth, Brody underwent a dramatic physical transformation, losing 30 pounds and learning Hungarian. He worked closely with architectural consultants to understand the principles of Brutalist design and movement.
Brody immersed himself in Holocaust survivor accounts and studied the experiences of European immigrants in post-war America. His commitment extended to living in isolation for three months before filming began to capture the character’s sense of alienation.
The performance required Brody to age over four decades, accomplished through subtle changes in his physicality, voice, and mannerisms rather than relying solely on makeup effects. Critics particularly praised his ability to convey complex emotions with minimal dialogue.
This role marks Brody’s most demanding work since “The Pianist,” which won him his first Oscar in 2003.
Critical Reception and Achievements
“The Brutalist” premiered to standing ovations at film festivals, with Brody’s performance universally acclaimed. Critics described his portrayal as “shattering,” “masterful,” and “career-defining.”
Beyond his Oscar win, Brody collected numerous awards for the role, including:
- Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Drama
- BAFTA Award for Best Actor
- Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance
The film itself earned eight Academy Award nominations, winning for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Original Screenplay alongside Brody’s acting prize.
Film historians have already begun comparing Brody’s work in “The Brutalist” to legendary performances like Daniel Day-Lewis in “There Will Be Blood” and Robert De Niro in “Raging Bull” – performances that redefined what’s possible in screen acting.
Frequently Asked Questions
This section addresses key points about Adrien Brody’s record-breaking Oscar speech and his career achievements. It also provides context about Oscar speech history and Brody’s award-winning performance.
Who previously held the record for the longest Oscar acceptance speech and for how long?
Greer Garson previously held the record for the longest Oscar acceptance speech. She set this record in 1943 when accepting her Best Actress award for “Mrs. Miniver.”
Garson’s speech lasted 5 minutes and 30 seconds, according to Guinness World Records. This record stood for 82 years until Adrien Brody broke it in 2025.
Which movie earned Adrien Brody the Best Actor award at the 97th Academy Awards?
Adrien Brody won the Best Actor award at the 97th Academy Awards for his performance in “The Brutalist.” The film was directed by Brady Corbet.
In this role, Brody delivered what critics described as a powerhouse performance. This win represented his second Oscar victory in his career.
What are some notable works in Adrien Brody’s filmography?
Adrien Brody first gained significant recognition for his role in “The Pianist” (2002), which earned him his first Oscar for Best Actor. This made him the youngest actor to win in this category at that time.
Other notable films in his career include “King Kong,” “The Grand Budapest Hotel,” and “The French Dispatch.” Brody has worked with acclaimed directors such as Roman Polanski, Wes Anderson, and Woody Allen.
He has demonstrated remarkable versatility across genres including drama, action, and comedy throughout his decades-long career.
What has been the overall response to Adrien Brody’s performance in The Brutalist?
Critics widely praised Brody’s performance in “The Brutalist” as one of his career best. Many reviewers highlighted his emotional depth and commitment to the challenging role.
The performance earned him nominations at several major award ceremonies before his Oscar win. Industry experts noted his physical transformation and linguistic skills displayed in the film.
The role is considered a significant comeback moment for Brody, cementing his status as one of the most talented actors of his generation.
In the history of the Oscars, who has delivered the shortest acceptance speech, and what year did it occur?
Alfred Hitchcock delivered what is considered the shortest Oscar acceptance speech in history. This occurred in 1968 when he received the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award.
His entire speech consisted of just five words: “Thank you, very much indeed.” The brevity created a striking contrast to lengthier speeches and became part of Oscar lore.
What other awards was Adrien Brody nominated for or won in relation to his role in The Brutalist?
Prior to his Oscar win, Brody received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor in a Drama for “The Brutalist.” He also won the Best Actor award at the Venice Film Festival where the film premiered.
Brody received recognition from critics’ associations including the National Society of Film Critics and the New York Film Critics Circle. His performance also earned him a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination.
The role has been widely considered a career renaissance for Brody, who had previously experienced a period of less prominent roles before this acclaimed performance.
