From first-time Oscar winner Mikey Madison to Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo’s surprise opening, there were several memorable moments from the 2025 Academy Awards. But if there’s one thing that will go down in the history books, it’s Adrien Brody’s lengthy speech.
Adrien Brody Made History at the 2025 Oscar Awards (But It’s Not What You Think)
He broke a major record
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Published Mar 8, 2025
•5:00pm
Stewart Cook/Disney/Getty Images
At the 97th annual ceremony, Brody took the stage after winning the award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for The Brutalist. He immediately dove into a heartfelt speech that, per usual, was interrupted by elevator-style music at the 45-second mark. The actor asked producers to stop the tune so he could continue his speech, and they obliged.
“Please turn the music off. I’ve done this before,” he said. “It’s not my first rodeo. I will be brief.” Yeah, about that…
Brody proceeded to deliver a powerful speech that lasted five minutes and 40 seconds, making it the longest acceptance spiel in Oscars history.
According to the Guinness World Records, the record was previously held by Greer Garson, whose speech lasted five minutes and 30 seconds when she won the Oscar in 1943. At the time, the ceremony wasn’t televised and, therefore, didn’t have a strict time limit.
During his speech, Brody revealed that he’s honored to take the stage after experiencing a two-decade lull in his career. “One thing I’ve gained, having the privilege to come back here is to have some perspective and no matter where you are in your career, no matter what you’ve accomplished, it can all go away,” he said. “I think what makes this night most special is the awareness of that and the gratitude that I have to still to do the work that I love.”
The Brutalist star was nominated against Timothée Chalamet (A Complete Unknown), Colman Domingo (Sing Sing), Ralph Fiennes (Conclave) and Sebastian Stan (The Apprentice).
Perhaps Brody needs a refresher on the definition of “brief.”
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