The 10 Best Oscar Speeches of All Time

DeNiro said that about Joey LaMotta, Jake's brother (played by Joe Pesci in the film) not Jake - he actually sat in the audience.I agree about Sally Field. I found it endearing and honest, but she didn't dwell on it like people think nowadays as that's all anyone ever remembers from the speech.

I also loved when Maureen thanked Joel McCrea. Still trying to figure that one out.

Oh, I see the worst column now--how about adding Jack Palance for the lame push ups?

What about the worst? That would be fun...Cher should be in their bc her outfit and Gwyneth for her bawl-fest and Jennifer Connelly bc she never looked up from her piece of paperBUT at least it showed they were human. unlike some of these gas bags get up there

Years later, I asked her about it and she said "I was 11 and I'd just won the Oscar!!"

So cute.

Anna Paquin in 93 for best support actress at just 11yo was priceless. That moment of gasping speechlessness!

Not a speech, but my favorite Oscar moment is the shot of Dustin and Meryl after they both won for "Kramer". Two legends at the height of their abilities and fully appreciative of the honor.

Not really an Oscar speech, but a great Oscar moment...

A few years ago, a documentary short about Anne Frank won in its category. The winning producer - with great dramatic flourish - announced that Miep Gies, the woman who discovered Frank's diary, was there in the audience...now in her 90's. She stood to take a bow and the place went absolutely nuts, and I remember a particular shot of Meryl Streep blubbering.

When they gave a special Oscar to Myrna Loy -- after showing a montage of film clips she appeared via satellite from her home seated elegantly looking fabulous in her late eighties; on cue she simply said "Thank you very much!" So beautiful, so classy, I cried buckets!

Anna Paquin was cute because she was completely speechless and shocked for a good 30 seconds and the with a snap of the finger she went through her speech like a pro. I also loved that Holly Hunter was way more excited for her, she was actually pitted against her in the same category, and not even that thrilled for herself when she won Best Actress later on.

Marlon Sacheen Littlefeather Brando: It is with regret I can not accept this most generous award and the reasons for this being the treatment of American Indians by the film industry.....so basically you can all kiss my big fat ass

Streisand tied with Katharine Hepburn, who didn't show up, so Babs got to really shine.

Hitchcock's two word acknowledgement ("Thank You") for his Thalberg Award.

Streisand's two word opening ("Hello gorgeous!") for her best actress Oscar.

I think you are right about Sally Field. I always kinda thought she was being criticized for saying what everyone would really feel in that situation.

But you're nominated for most eligible bachelor!

Anyway, I think Louise Fletcher's was my favorite of all time because it was so sweet and unexpected.

I know that three of these--Joe Pesci, Greer Garson, and Sally Field--are usually on people's all-time worst list, but hey, I march to my own (non-nominatd) drum.