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11 Oscar speeches that will leave you an emotional wreck
THE OSCARS ARE this weekend and are obviously going to be glitzy, over-the-top and compulsively watchable.
The frocks and the wins are a big part of the process but our fave thing is always the speeches.
There’s nothing better than a dramatic and tear-jerking speech from somebody on the podium to make us weep like babies.
We’ve rounded up the very best speeches that will probably leave you slumped in a heap with tears in mere seconds.
11. Terry and Oorlagh George
The short film The Shore win an Oscar last year. Northern Irish director Terry George and his daughter Oorlagh who also produced gave a charming speech on winning.
Terry does the doting dad thing getting the whole room united in an “aw” right off the bat and they seem thrilled to be up there.
Lovely.
RTENewsNow / YouTube
(You can watch the full speech, which sadly doesn’t embed, here)
10. Cher
You tend to forget Cher has an Oscar or is able to display emotion.
Her win for Moonstruck is emotional for just how charming and simple it is. She seems a bit awestruck to have won.
The killer is at the end when she says
CHER! Stop being modest, we’re gonna cry.
Oscars / YouTube
9. Peter O’Toole
Irish acting icon Peter O’Toole was was nominated seven times before the Academy decided to give him an honorary award in 2003.
His speech is really sweet for how dignified but grateful he is. And the fact that’s he Irish will totally make you really, really proud.
And a bit emotional.
Oscars / YouTube
8. Gwyneth Paltrow
When Gwyneth picked up the trophy for Best Actress in 1999 after her performance in Shakespeare in Love the speech became infamous.
Watching it now, it’s actually pretty standard and sweet for the first few minutes.
It’s when she thanks her family that the waterworks start and you know what, it’s actually properly upsetting.
You can snark all you want but when she starts talking about her dad we almost lost it.
Oscars / YouTube
7. Julia Roberts
Another high profile speech came from Julia when won Best Actress for Erin Brokovich in 2001.
It’s a spell binding watch for how she is half fabulous film star half visibly moved, veering from slick patter about the time she has on stage to giddy delight for actually winning.
Julia Roberts is still the quintessential movie star and watching this is like watching all the endings of every amazing rom-com at once.
Tears. NON-STOP TEARS.
Oscars / YouTube
6. Daniel Day-Lewis
Daniel scooped a Best Actor win for the classic My Left Foot in 1989.
His speech is measured but respectful and if you’ve any of the fond memories of the film (and Brenda Fricker’s winning performance, the speech for which is sadly not online) you’ll be getting a bit choked up as he talks and dedicates his award to Christy Brown.
Oscars / YouTube
5. Halle Berry
Halle’s win for Monster’s Ball in 2002 caused a stir as she accepted her Best Actress statue.
She talked about the historical impact a black woman winning Best Actress would have and emotionally dedicated it to many of her peers
Watching it now you can see how moved Halle is and it’s actually quite upsetting (before she gets sidetracked in thanking lawyers and such). Berry even spoofed her emotions when she accepted a Razzie Award for Worst Actress for Catwoman in 2005.
ndirjura / YouTube
4. Anna Paquin
Quvenzhané Wallis is nominated for this year’s Best Actress nomination at only 9 years old for her work on Beasts of the Southern Wild.
She’s the youngest ever nominee and will surely be taking hints from Anna Paquin, who won a Best Supporting Actress trophy for The Piano in 1993 aged 11.
Paquin’s reaction is really adorable and if Quvenzhané has any sense, she’ll do something similar if she wins.
Oscars / YouTube
3. Jennifer Hudson
Jennifer picked up Best Supporting Actress for Dreamgirls in 2007 and her speech is very sweet.
Hudson is visibly flustered and emotional and there’s something really moving about how new it all seems to her.
This piece is taking an emotional toll on us. There are tears flying across our keyboard.
Oscars / YouTube
2. Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova
When this pair nabbed Best Original Song for Falling Slowly from Once in 2007 it was a moment of celebration for many Irish musicians.
Once was a slow burning success story that since went on to become a Broadway musical (that opens in Dublin later this month)
Handsard and Irglova are so genuinely shocked you’ll be completely won over and when Jon Stewart lets Marketa come out to properly say her thanks you’ll be bawling.
Not a dry eye in the house.
Oscars / YouTube
1. Tom Hanks
Tom Hanks is one of the rare film stars who nab awards and star in massive hit movies consistently.
His speech on winning Best Actor for Philadelphia in 1993 is a reminder of what makes Tom so great.
His speech touches on the same themes the film famously did when it tackled the issue of AIDS and he manages to make a moving tribute that feels genuine and heartfelt. Incredibly powerful.
Oscars / YouTube
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Academy Awards Award show tears cher daniel day lewis Falling slowly glen hansard and marketa irglova Gwyneth Paltrow halle berry jennifer hudson julia roberts Once orlagh george Oscars Sad speeches terry george the oscars the shore Tom Hanks