Save this article to read it later.
Find this story in your accountsSaved for Latersection.
Try as they might, Oscars producers and ABC cant cut theentirebusiness of presenting awards from the show.
Trophies will still be presented and handed out, followed presumably by acceptance speeches.
But for those of us who love the Oscars, were in it for the (live) speeches.
They can be quite short or quite long, deadly serious or quippy, thoughtfully composed or breathlessly manic.
Some types are preferable to others, but theyre all memorable in their own way.
Below, weve ranked 19 distinct categories of Oscars speeches from least to most entertaining.
And if you appreciate the work weve put in, well … we thank you.
Its why every year the Academy implores its nominees to ditch the lists and speak from the heart.
And every year theres aJennifer Connellyor aPatricia Arquettewho does it anyway.
When shereturned the next yearto present Best Actor, Swank thanked both Lowe and her dad.
(Two??)
He didnt show up to collect his for his role inPatton, much to presenterGoldie Hawns squirmy glee.
The Apology
Humility is a virtue, but this is the Oscars!
Its no time for abnegation.
Juliette Binochedid exactly thatwhen she won Best Supporting Actress forThe English Patientin an upset over Lauren Bacall.
I thought Lauren was going to get it, Binoche admitted, and I think she deserves it.
like forgive me, Valentina, I didnt mean to, Bergman said to a cheering Cortese.
The Rambler
Long Oscar speeches can live on in infamy.
Its been nearly 80 years and werestillhearing about Greer Garsons legendary five-minute-plus speech when she won Best Actress forMrs.
More recently, Matthew McConaugheysBest Actor speech forDallas Buyers Clubwas a long and winding ode to himself.
moments of a persons life.
Melissa Leo sure let one fly in 2011, though, as sheaccepted her Best Supporting Actress OscarforThe Fighter.
that stole the show.
Olivia Colmansaid as muchin 2019 when she won Best Actress forThe Favouriteina surprise upset.
The Thank-you to Mom and Dad
Sometimes you just gotta play the hits, you know?
It was a real wild ride.
Somewhat surprisingly, considering Hollywoods lefty reputation, these speeches havent always gone over well in the room.
could knight him with the Oscar statue.
The Cryer
Much like thanking your parents, weeping onstage seems pro forma for any acceptance speech.
But the ones were talking about in this category involve more than just garden-variety choking up.
The One That Makes You Think
Despite everyones best attempts, genuine profundity tends to elude most Oscars speeches.
Its hard to sell sincerity in a cynical world, but a select few speeches have managed it.
Of course, it does help to be Viola Davis.
Impish is tough to pull off for a woman that tall; youve gotta hand it to her.
The Quotable One
This is the holy grail of Oscars speeches.
It can be as simple asJamie Foxxscall-and-response refrain when he won for playing Ray Charles in 2005.
Or it can beMarion Cotillardsverbal curlicues as she gushed, Thank you, life.
Thank you, love.
And it is true, there is some angels in this city.
Not every speech can pull this off.
Not every speech can beSally Fieldshouting, You like me!
Right now, you like me!
But we can all strive for it.
The epitome of the self-indulgent Oscars speech is, of course, Roberts winning Best Actress forErin Brockovichin 2001.
We havent seen its equal since.
