Adrien Brody sets record for longest Oscar acceptance speech for ‘The Brutalist’ win

Adrien Brody wins the Oscar for Best Actor for “The Brutalist” during the Oscars show at the 97th Academy Awards in Hollywood

Adrien Brody made history at the Academy Awards on Sunday night, delivering the longest Oscar acceptance speech ever recorded. The 51-year-old actor, who won his second Best Actor award for his performance in The Brutalist, spoke for five minutes and 40 seconds — surpassing the previous record held by Greer Garson, who spoke for five minutes and 30 seconds when accepting her award for Mrs. Miniver in 1943.

Brody won the award over stiff competition, beating A Complete Unknown‘s Timothée Chalamet and Conclave‘s Ralph Fiennes. His role in The Brutalist, a 215-minute historical drama and the longest Best Picture nominee this year, earned widespread acclaim.

“I feel so fortunate,” Brody said on stage, dramatically spitting out his gum and tossing it to his partner, Georgina Chapman. He reflected on the unpredictability of an acting career, saying, “It looks very glamorous and in certain moments it is, but … no matter what you’ve accomplished, it can all go away.”

As the orchestra attempted to play him off, Brody asserted his right to finish. “I’m wrapping up, please turn the music off,” he said. “I’ve done this before. Thank you. It’s not my first rodeo, but I will be brief.”

He went on to highlight the themes of The Brutalist, which, like his previous Oscar-winning film The Pianist, explores the impact of war and oppression. “I pray for a healthier and a happier and a more inclusive world,” he said.

Earlier in the night, Halle Berry kissed Brody on the red carpet, referencing their infamous onstage kiss 22 years ago. “I had to pay him back,” Berry joked.

While The Brutalist won two other awards, the night belonged to Anora, which dominated with five wins, including Best Picture.