The award show season for movies and television is one of my favorite times of the year. Ever since I was a little girl, I've dragged my family into the living room to celebrate one of Hollywood's biggest, if not the most momentous events of the calendar, the Oscars. It's the one day/night where I sit for hours in front of the television, pointing out my favorite celebrities appearing on the red carpet, gab about the glorious and horrendous fashion, and above all, become emotionally stunted with the humorous, often humbling, thank yous.
With one acceptance speech I'm reminded that all the "heavenly gods and goddesses" of the screens were all and still are people with a dream to act which came true. Most never even imagine being honored by their peers. In celebration of all the celebrating in film, here are some of my favorite acceptance speeches - I'm so curious to know which are yours too!
Cuba Gooding Jr for Best Supporting Actor in Jerry Maguire. Not only one of my favorite movies of all time but one of my favorite performances too. A partner to Tom Cruise's Jerry Maguire, Gooding kills it at his only client; eccentric, family-oriented, bursting with frustration Rod Tidwell. A deserved award for a deserving performance in a cut-too-early standing ovation worthy speech.
Heath Ledger for Best Supporting Actor in The Dark Knight. A young man and actor the world lost too soon, and a filmography that goes much deeper than anyone could write about. Ledger's performance as the Joker will be as unforgettable as the saddened moment his family accepted the award on his behalf.
Vivien Leigh for Best Actress in Gone With The Wind. An actress who didn't win as many as she should have for all of her wonderful performances. Starring in what would be one, if not the one iconic film in cinematic history, Leigh's victory is gracious, humble, and simply divine as she always was.
Vivien Leigh for Best Actress in Gone With The Wind. An actress who didn't win as many as she should have for all of her wonderful performances. Starring in what would be one, if not the one iconic film in cinematic history, Leigh's victory is gracious, humble, and simply divine as she always was.
Christian Bale for Best Supporting Actor in The Fighter. An actor with a stable of performances so worthy of nominations. A longtime fan since seeing him in Little Women when I was nine, so happy to witness the night he finally nicked one.
Marion Cotillard for Best Actress in La Vi En Rose.She could win an Oscar for a Crest toothpaste commercial. A bundle of stunning nerves and grace, Cotillard expresses what everyone must think of when they run out of people to say.
Hattie McDaniel for Best Supporting Actress in Gone with the Wind. For a heartbreaking performance and an award that broke down barriers, Hattie McDaniels gives a beautiful thank-you speech which makes my heart as full as the one she felt.
Kate Winslet for Best Actress in The Reader. For a performance I wasn't a big fan of, I still can't deny that Kate Winslet was long deserving to win an Oscar. Her speech for finally scoring the big one zings my heart as much as her Dad's whistle zaps through the room.
Tom Hanks for Best Actor in Philadelphia. Words so beautiful and spoken so sincerely, there might not be a truer heavenly speech that tops this one -as moving as his performance in the film. An equally wonderful speech is worth a looksie as well for his award-winning work in Forrest Gump.