Oscars

Neither Pacino nor McConaughey: this actor made the longest acceptance speech in Oscars history

We see tears and we hear heartfelt thanks to all those that have helped, but one speech is the longest ever, despite the music starting.

Rich Polk

Calum Roche

Sports-lover turned journalist, born and bred in Scotland, with a passion for football (soccer). He’s also a keen follower of NFL, NBA, golf and tennis, among others, and always has an eye on the latest in science, tech and current affairs. As Managing Editor at AS USA, uses background in operations and marketing to drive improvements for reader satisfaction.

Update: Mar 4th, 2025 15:12 EST

Oscars speeches are a treasure trove of unforgettable moments. There are the emotional speeches that leave us reaching for tissues, such as Lupita Nyong’o accepting Best Supporting Actress for 12 Years a Slave in 2014: “When I look down at this golden statue, may it remind me and every little child that no matter where you’re from, your dreams are valid.” There are the funny ones, including Robin Williams’ touching tribute to his father: “And most of all, I want to thank my father, up there, the man, who when I said I wanted to be an actor, he said, ‘Wonderful, just have a backup profession like welding.’ Thank you. God bless you.” And there are the long ones, a category in which Adrien Brody has just set a new record at Sunday’s Oscars.

Brody spoke for a full five minutes and forty seconds as he accepted the Oscar for Best Actor, for his performance in The Brutalist. That is 10 seconds longer than the previous record holder, Greer Garson, who spoke for five minutes and thirty seconds, as she accepted Best Actress for Mrs Miniver. More on her later.

What is the acceptance speech time limit at the Oscars?

But isn’t there a time limit for speeches at the Oscars? Indeed there is. In fact there has been since Garson’s gargantuan speech back in 1943, when the Academy set the time limit at 45 seconds. The rule is enforced by play-off music starting that drowns out the speech, with the possibility of the microphone being cut if the music hasn’t had the desired effect.

However the play-off music often does not start at the 45 second point, particularly for the major awards. As an example, Brody’s play off music started at a full three minutes forty seconds into this speech as he appeared to be wrapping up his thank yous.

However he was having none of it. “I’m wrapping up, please, please, I’m wrapping up,” he said to the organisers. “I will wrap up. Please turn the music off. I’ve done this before,” he continue and then said “thank you,” to applause as the music faded back out. “It’s not my first rodeo, but I will be brief”, he continued to laughter, before going on for another two minutes.

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The previous longest Oscars acceptance speech: Greer Garson

Picture this: it’s the 1940s, and the Oscars are a very different affair. The ceremony is smaller, more intimate, and far less concerned with fitting into a tight TV schedule. There’s no orchestra waiting to play winners off the stage, no countdown clock ticking away in the background. It’s a time when Hollywood’s biggest stars could take the stage and truly make it their own. And one star did just that – in a way no one would ever forget, well, other than everyone reading this article!

The year was 1942. World War II was raging, and the world was hungry for stories that offered hope and resilience. That year, a film about the quiet strength of a family during wartime captured the hearts of audiences and critics alike. Its leading lady, a British actress known for her poise and elegance, delivered a performance so moving that it earned her the Academy Award for Best Actress. But it wasn’t her win that made history - it was what she did next.

Out of interest, the legend that was Mr Alfred Hitchcock gave us arguably the shortest in 1953!

How long was Greer’s acceptance speech?

When Greer’s name was called, she stepped up to the podium, trophy in hand, and began to speak. And speak. And speak. For five and a half minutes, she held the room captive, weaving together gratitude, anecdotes, and even a few philosophical musings. She thanked everyone from her directors and co-stars to the crew members who had worked tirelessly behind the scenes. She shared personal reflections on her journey and the significance of the film’s message during such a tumultuous time. It was a speech that was as much a celebration of her craft as it was a testament to the people who had helped her along the way.

Not everyone was impressed, of course. Some found her speech indulgent, a bit too much for the occasion. But others admired her for owning the moment with such unapologetic grace. After all, how often do you get to stand on that stage, holding that golden statue, and say exactly what’s on your mind?

It looked like Greer’s record was absolutely safe, given the play-off music would stop anyone getting even close to going over five minutes for their speech, but then nobody reckoned with Brody, his star-power and ability to just take over the moment and just... keep going.