American actor Adrien Brody became the youngest actor to win an Oscar in 2003. At that time, he was 29 years old and took home the statuette for his role in the movie ‘The Pianist’. During the ceremony last Sunday, March 2, 2025, he broke a new record by giving the longest speech in the history of the awards gala, after winning Best Actor for his performance in ‘The Brutalist’.
The Hollywood Reporter reported that Brody’s speech lasted 5 minutes and 40 seconds. He thanked the Academy and his family members. As his speech went on, the organizers raised the volume of the music, as if to cut him off, but he asked them to lower it so he could continue.
“I’m finishing up, turn off the music! I’ve done this before, thanks. It’s not my first time‚” the artist expressed, generating discomfort among part of the audience. On social media, many people expressed their discontent about his duration and considered it disrespectful for him to command the music to be turned down, disrupting the event’s organization. However, others supported his spontaneity.
His slow and deliberate speech contributed to the length of his address at an event where, generally, the winners speak quickly in order to stay within the estimated time and adhere to the schedule.
Before Brody, the person who held the record for the longest speech at the Oscars was actress Greer Garson in 1943, with 5 minutes and 30 seconds: she was recorded for this in the Guinness Records. At that time, she won for her role in “Mrs. Miniver.”
Adrien Brody and anecdotes from this year at the Oscars
Having given the longest speech wasn’t the only feat or anecdote of Adrien Brody at the recent Oscar ceremony. The actor was involved in several viral moments. One of these was on the red carpet before the ceremony, when Halle Berry kissed him on the mouth in front of his wife.
Movie fans understood why Berry kissed him, as in 2003 when he won his first Oscar, he unexpectedly kissed her in front of everyone due to the excitement. It was evident that the actress was not expecting it, but she went on with her presentation.
Another trend involving the actor at this gala was when he was named the winner for ‘The Brutalist’. He took the gum out of his mouth and gave it to his wife Georgina Chapmanman.