The Academy Awards, or the Oscars, represent the pinnacle of cinematic achievement. The coveted statuettes stand not only as recognition of the talent and contributions to the craft by an artist but also go down as a piece of history because of the art associated with it. While that particular moment when an award is handed out and collected by its rightful owner, has a legacy of its own, the statements made or the acceptance speech has more often than not remained associated with a tale of strength, hardship, determination, and above all, a message for all of humankind.

In 2024, as the Academy hosts its 96th Oscars, a look down at some of the most poignant of such speeches paints a beautiful picture of the power of cinema.

1. The Charlie Chaplin Ovation – Oscars 1972

A pioneer of the silent film generation, the English actor, filmmaker, and composer delivered a powerful speech on humanity and its search for peace in the 1940’s The Great Dictator. However, the first-ever personal visit by Charlie Chaplin on the Academy Awards stage happened in 1972 at its 44th edition at 83 years of age for an honorary Oscar, where he received a 12-minute standing ovation, still the longest in history. Overwhelmed, he stated that “words seem so futile and feeble. I can only say thank you for the honor,” to again another enormous applause.

2. Marlon Brando’s Native American Rights Speech – Oscars 1973

Marlon Brando won the Best Actor Oscar at the 1973 Academy Awards for The Godfather. However, he made history when he declined to accept the award himself and instead sent Sacheen Littlefeather, a Native American actress and activist, to deliver a message on stage on his behalf. The speech challenged Hollywood’s stereotyping of Native Americans while also highlighting the historical oppression of indigenous people in the United States. The high-profile refusal and speech started to sounds of booing but ended with applause, admiration, and indeed, controversy.

3. Halle Berry’s Historic Win – Oscars 2002

“Every nameless, faceless woman of color that now has a chance because this door tonight has been opened,” Halle Berry announced as she became the first African-American woman to win the Best Actress Oscar for 2001’s Monster’s Ball. The actress took the occasion to dedicate her victory to every woman with “This moment is so much bigger than me” while mentioning the likes of Dorothy Dandridge, Lena Horne, and Diahann Carroll for paving the way to the win which stood as an emotional celebration of resilience, heartfelt gratitude, and joy.

4. Tom Hanks’ AIDS Advocacy – Oscars 1994

Tom Hanks won the Best Actor Oscar at the 1994 ceremony for Philadelphia. However, instead of delivering a pre-written speech, he took a detour and highlighted a personal and emotional recall of the departed and those who still suffered from AIDS. The celebrated actor also mentioned the life full of “prejudice, with fear” that those ailing from the disease went through daily as he questioned the collective narrative of stigma and pressed for awareness and support to “make the world a place where we can all live together”.

5. Meryl Streep’s Call for Empathy – Oscars 2017

Nominated for Best Actress for her role in Florence Foster Jenkins, the legendary Meryl Streep exercised her “duty and obligation” to call for “empathy”. “When the powerful use their position to bully others we all lose,” the actress reflected upon a divisive political climate and urged the public to denounce violence, hatred, and intolerance. Additionally, she also shed light on a world seething with injustice and cruelty and called for the privileged to “take your broken heart and make it into art,” invoking the late Carrie Fisher.

6. Sidney Poitier’s Trailblazing Win – Oscars 1964

Sidney Poitier won the Best Actor Oscar in 1964 for Lilies of the Field and became the first African-American actor to win the title. A humble Poitier turned his breakthrough moment into a monumental step ahead for the film industry in its role of diversity and inclusion. “I accept it with pride not only for myself, but on behalf of all of the people who have helped me to get here.” The actor hoped for future generations of meritorious actors of color to take inspiration, which in 2024, Rustin’s Colman Domingo has come remarkably close to.

7. Emma Stone’s Equality and Unity – Oscars 2017

Emma Stone won the Best Actress Oscar for La La Land at the 2017 Academy Awards and in her acceptance speech included all her fellow nominees in a show of equality, empathy, and support. The actress took an emotional and touching personal turn as she recounted the role of each and everyone who helped her get to that stage, including her family and the Academy. Thereafter, she also spoke on the then-prevailing scenario in the world and called for awareness and support for social causes, women’s equality, and inclusion.

8. Matthew McConaughey’s Inspirational Journey – Oscars 2014

“Alright, alright, alright… Thank you,” Matthew McConaughey addressed the audience in his casual and laid-back style after his Best Actor Oscar for Dallas Buyers Club. However, instead of traditional gratitude, he went ahead and spun a motivational call with his speech as he summed up the “three things I need each day”. Placing metaphors for someone to look up to, something to look forward to, and someone to chase as God, his future self, and his hero, which unironically happened to be his future self, his speech drew applause and remains unique for its memorability.

9. Frances McDormand’s Inclusion Rider Advocacy – Oscars 2018

“We do stories to entertain, to heal, to ignite conversation, to change the world.” Frances McDormand won the Best Actress Oscar for Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, and used her platform as a call for action for the film industry to push for inclusion and equity in their projects, especially among the cast and crew. Moreover, she pitched for an “inclusion rider” that the highly placed in the industry can advocate for to force their creative teams to cater to and move along with a more diverse and inclusive work environment.

10. Roberto Benigni’s Joyful Celebration – Oscars 1999

Roberto Benigni won the Best Actor Oscar for Life is Beautiful and made a sharp and perhaps the most honest departure from the usual speeches. The actor’s excitement and enthusiasm knew no bounds as he triumphantly started marching towards the stage, where he hugged and embraced other celebrities, including presenter Sophia Loren, before exclaiming “I want to make love to everybody”. Furthermore, in his acceptance speech, he thanked the Italian people for their “poetry” and continued with witty and poetic remarks.

With the 2024 Oscars unfolding on March 10, 2024, we may expect to witness more such history get created. In the meantime, let us know in the comments below which you think is the most memorable speech or moment ever from the Oscars.