Adrien Brody is an acclaimed actor, known for his role in the 2025 film ‘The Brutalist’ as a Hungarian-Jewish architect László Tóth. His performance secured his second Oscar for Best Actor, having previously become the youngest winner when he won for The Pianist in 2003. Even with these deserving acclaims, his actions at the 2025 Oscars are a prime example of how a celebratory moment can turn into a display of one’s true character.
After speaking for five minutes and 40 seconds, another record set for the longest Oscar acceptance speech, the orchestra performed to allow him to wrap up his closing thoughts. Instead of respecting the Academy, Brody instead interrupted the instrumentals with his remark, “I’ve done this before, thank you, it’s not my first rodeo.”
The gesture came across as condescending to the awaiting audience. It seemed like he believed he had the right to occupy more time because this was his second Academy Award. The Oscars should be a shared moment where all winners are given equal time and recognition, but Brody’s actions displayed an egocentric disregard for the ceremony. The moment went beyond a lengthy speech and quickly became about a certain lack of awareness of the time and efforts of the others.
According to the New York Times, Brody’s lengthy speech wasn’t the strangest moment on stage, but when he threw a piece of chewed gum at his girlfriend, Georgina Chapman, for her to catch. It was confusing and quite disgusting to the audience.Tossing the gum showed his lack of acknowledgement of the formality of this event, even if he had only done it since he was not able to dispose of it properly. While he was hindered by the thrill of his win, this thoughtlessness distracted him and everyone from the significance of this moment.
On a night with shared gratitude and appreciation, Adrien Brody’s actions negatively set him apart from the others, a reminder of how a moment in the spotlight can be dampened due to one’s lack of respect. The Oscars are about the celebration of collective achievement in the industry; though Brody’s disregard for the experience distracts from his victory, as his actions had shifted the focus away from his role, and instead, made the night about his morality.
While Adrien Brody’s performance in The Brutalist earned well-deserved recognition, his actions at the awards ceremony display how even accomplished individuals can sometimes lose sight of what is truly important. His behavior overshadowed the celebration of his win, instead of giving a more graceful acknowledgment of his new achievement and his special moment.
If you agree that Brody was in the wrong, let the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences know on their General Inquiries Page.
