The acceptance speeches that made us sit up, take notice and never forget.
The Oscars are only around the corner, and we hope to see a lot of Irish faces collecting those big awards on Sunday.
If the likes of
Fassbender, Ronan or Abrahamson pick up those most coveted gongs, we like to think that they're acceptance speeches will be as memorable as these beauts.
Here are ten (plus a bonus feature) of the most stand-out speeches by entertainers at the Academy Awards.
Cuba Gooding Jr - Best Supporting Actor for Jerry Maguire - 1997
Seeing off the likes of William H. Macy, Edward Norton and James Woods is no mean feat, and it was all worth it to hear this unforgettable speech.
Gooding Jr. was giddy when he arrived on stage, before becoming so ridiculously excited and passionate that he used the music which usually signals that your time is up as a backing soundtrack to his gushing gratefulness.
The crowd loved it too, with the likes of Cuba's co-star Tom Cruise, as well as Will Smith, Steve Martin and George Foreman all in hysterics.
Cue a delirious celebration of arm-throwing and a standing ovation by an adoring audience and magic is confirmed.
https://youtu.be/cnCMqr1QRQw
Clip via YouTube/Oscars
Jack Nicholson - Best Actor for One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest - 1976
Sunglasses indoors at a prestigious and famously stuffy ceremony like the Oscars can generously be described a risky move, but it couldn't have suited Jack Nicholson more here.
He played a rebel in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and his confidence and coolness works perfectly here.
Beating esteemed names like Al Pacino and Walter Matthau is one thing, but doing it with a cheeky smile, funky dance and massive crowd reaction is another.
One of slickest Academy Award speeches ever, despite his obvious nerves.
https://youtu.be/y7dDK-YbrNo
Clip via YouTube/Oscars
Halle Berry - Best Actress for Monster's Ball - 2002
Just a little bit emotional, this one.
Halle Berry accidentally created one of the most memorable Oscar winning-speech one-liners with her "74 years" comment.
This was a genuinely sincere and significant moment in Oscar folklore, with Berry alluding to race in an extremely positive manner.
No doubt, this victory opened doors.
https://youtu.be/llgL7mGYVTI
Clip via YouTube/Oscars
Marlon Brando - Best Actor for The Godfather - 1973
One of the most controversial speeches by an actor at the Oscars, and the man himself didn't actually utter a word.
Marlon Brando is probably the most renowned actor of all time and never played by the rules, case in point with this unique moment.
The Godfather star used his time in the spotlight to raise awareness of the plight facing Native Americans, by allowing the president of the National Native American Affirmative Image Committee to talk on his behalf, while simultaneously rejecting the award.
The speech did not go down well at the time. At all, in fact.
However, in hindsight, it was a brave and important move.
https://youtu.be/2QUacU0I4yU
Clip via YouTube/Oscars
Matthew McConaughey - Best Actor for Dallas Buyers Club - 2014
The most recent speech on our exclusive list and included due to being the most Matthew McConaughey-type speech ever... delivered by Matthew McConaughey himself.
He was absolutely terrific as the lead in Dallas Buyers Club, most notably pipping The Wolf of Wall Street's Leonardo DiCaprio to the main prize.
However, what he's actually talking about here is anyone's guess. At the same time, it's very inspirational. How does he manage do that?!
Alright, alright, alright!
https://youtu.be/wD2cVhC-63I
Clip via YouTube/Oscars
Brenda Fricker - Best Supporting Actress for My Left Foot - 1989
The first Irish actress to ever win an Academy Award, Brenda Fricker deservedly collected the accolade for her incredible work in My Left Foot.
Many people know the Dublin native best for her role in Home Alone 2, but her portrayal of Christy Brown's mother in the Jim Sheridan-directed classic was undoubtedly her career zenith.
Fricker's resulting speech was lovely, with the final line as its high point.
https://youtu.be/RPZkXpG7NS0
Clip via YouTube/MrSuper240495
Joe Pesci - Best Supporting Actor for Goodfellas - 1991
The shortest Academy Award acceptance speech of all time, which is ironic, considering Pesci won the elite gong for playing one of the biggest loudmouths in cinema history.
Fricker was on presenting duties a year after winning one of the little statues herself, and will forever be linked with this moment.
"It's my privilege. Thank you".
Indeed.
https://youtu.be/O0Q_nyjuEak
Clip via YouTube/Oscars
Michael Moore - Best Documentary for Bowling for Columbine - 2003
Moore took a completely opposite approach to Pesci when he picked up Best Documentary for Bowling for Columbine in 2003.
They couldn't get him off the stage.
The controversial filmmaker, who invited the rest of his Best Documentary director nominees on stage with him, used the platform to have an almighty pop at the Bush administration.
Much of the theatre erupted into a chorus of boos, while a lot of the stars in attendance didn't really know how to react when the camera panned towards their direction.
It all made for compelling viewing.
https://youtu.be/M7Is43K6lrg
Clip via YouTube/Oscars
Three 6 Mafia - Best Original Song for 'It's Hard out Here for a Pimp' - 2006
One of the most unconventional acceptance speeches ever throughout the near one-hundred year anniversary of the Oscars.
Jordan Houston, Cedric Coleman and Paul Beauregard had actually just performed their, about-to-be, Academy Award-winning tune for the movie Hustle & Flow, as they waited backstage when the announcement was being made.
The group's unadulterated joy combined with what was probably the most casual attire ever donned at the awards, made for a truly memorable and endearing moment.
https://youtu.be/du_01sqzsck
Clip via YouTube/Oscars
Heath Ledger - Best Supporting Actor for The Dark Knight - 2009
Poignant, emotional, respectful and extremely sad.
The acceptance speech made on behalf of Heath Ledger by his family for his unparalleled portrayal of The Joker was unforgettable for the most unfortunate of reasons.
The reverence and sorrow seen among Ledger's distinguished peers in the audience demonstrated just how highly regarded the Australian actor was by people in the industry.
He deserved this Oscar for his performance regardless, but real-life circumstances made it all the more meaningful.
https://youtu.be/Jrt2xoy5UHo
Clip via YouTube/Oscars
Bonus Speech: Mickey Rourke - Best Actor for The Wrestler at the BAFTAs, Golden Globes and the Film Independent Spirit Awards - 2009
The inspiration behind this list, because Mickey Rourke's collection of speeches for his brilliant work in The Wrestler were unforgettable... and he never even made it as far as the Oscars stage.
Rourke won Best Actor at the BAFTAs, Golden Globes and the Film Independent Spirit Awards and, yet, there exists a strong rumour that Rourke didn't make it a clean sweep at the Oscars because the Academy was worried what the former boxer would say in his speech.
To be fair, their concerns may have been justified, after he delivered some truly off-the-cuff and brazen speeches.
This is probably the memorable one, when he picked up the Spirit Award.
https://youtu.be/H-VAz-4x9hc
Clip via YouTube/FAN OF CAPT UNDERGARMENTS
Incidentally, Sean Penn won the Best Actor award that year (in what was a very strong category) for his excellent job in Milk.
The esteemed actor even took time out in his speech to, lovingly, reference Rourke in the audience.
Skip to 9:10 in the video below and take a look.
https://youtu.be/9HFRjamyua0
Clip via YouTube/Oscars
They're our picks, but if you feel like we're missing out on a few, be sure to send your suggestions to our WhatsApp number 087-4001102, editorial@JOE.ie or by hitting us up on Facebook or Twitter.
