The most award-worthy speeches of the 96th Academy Awards ceremony

Da'Vine Joy Randolph accepts the Oscar® for Actress in a Supporting Role during the live ABC telecast of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit: Dana Pleasant ©A.M.P.A.S.

Speeches are tricky. You have to be thoughtful, but not too verbose because then you’ll be played off. And you have to have something prepared, but you don’t want to read off a card. You have to want the award, but you can’t want it too bad because that’s crass. You have to thank your laundry list of supportive friends and family members, but not before you thank The Academy. 

Hollywood’s biggest night offers speeches that bring us to tears, deliver viral moments and make us think about the world at large. Here are the standout speeches from the 96th Academy Awards that brought the Dolby Theater to its feet.  

Da’Vine Joy Randolph for Best Supporting Actress

A tear-eyed Randolph soaked in her moment after being walked to the stage by “The Holdovers” co-star Paul Giamatti. Her performance as Mary Lamb garnered over 50 wins at various film festivals and award shows. She capped off her dominant award season run with a thank you to her mother and a message of self-acceptance. 

“I thank you to all the people who have stepped in my path and has been there for me, who has ushered me and guided me,” Randolph said. “I am so grateful to all of you beautiful people out there. For so long, I've always wanted to be different, and now I realize I just need to be myself. And I thank you. I thank you for seeing me.”

Cord Jefferson for Best Adapted Screenplay

Cord Jefferson accepts the Oscar® for Adapted Screenplay during the live ABC telecast of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit: Trae Patton ©A.M.P.A.S.

Making his directorial debut, Cord Jefferson took home his first Academy Award for his “American Fiction” script, adapted from Percival Everett’s novel, “Erasure.” He spoke on the numerous rejections he received on the project, not in a manner of vindication, but rather to make the following plea:

“I understand that this is a risk-averse industry. I get it. But $200 million movies are also a risk, you know. And it doesn't always work out, but you take the risk anyway,” Jefferson said. “Instead of making one $200 million movie, try making 20 $10 million movies or 50 -- right? -- 50 $4 million movies… I just feel so much joy being here. I felt so much joy making this. I want other people to experience that joy. They are out there, I promise you.”

Jonathan Glazer for Best International Feature Film 

James Wilson, Leonard Blavatnik and Jonathan Glazer  accept the Oscar® for International Feature Film during the live ABC telecast of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit: Trae Patton ©A.M.P.A.S.

After Glazer’s “The Zone of Interest” — about an Auschwitz commandant and his family living next to the concentration camp — took home the prestigious award, the director used his platform to speak about the ongoing Israeli–Palestinian conflict. 

“All our choices were made to reflect and confront us in the present, not to say look what they did then, but rather look what we do now.” Glazer continues: “Our film shows where dehumanization leads at its worst. It's shaped all of our past and present. Right now, we stand here as men who refute their Jewishness and the Holocaust being hijacked by an occupation which has led to conflict for so many innocent people.”

Mstyslav Chernov for Best Documentary (Feature)

Raney Aronson-Rath, Mstyslav Chernov and Michelle Mizner accept the Oscar® for Documentary Feature Film during the live ABC telecast of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit: Phil McCarten ©A.M.P.A.S.

“20 Days in Mariupol” documents the days spent by journalist and director Mstyslav Chernov in the Ukrainian city after Russia’s invasion. Chernov made a powerful declaration after his win.

“But probably, I will be the first director on this stage who will say I wish I never made this film,” Chernov said. “I wish to be able to exchange this to Russia never attacking Ukraine, never occupying our cities. I wish to give all the recognition to Russia not killing tens of thousands of my fellow Ukrainians. I wish for them to release all the hostages, all the soldiers who are protecting their lands, all the civilians who are now in their jails. But I cannot change history. I cannot change the past.”

Hoyte Van Hoytema for Best Cinematography 

Hoyte van Hoytema accepts the Oscar® for Cinematography during the live ABC telecast of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit: Phil McCarten ©A.M.P.A.S.

The cinematographer raked in yet another award for “Oppenheimer,” contributing to the film’s total of seven from the night. Van Hoytema spent the majority of his speech thanking his colleagues and higher-ups but ended his speech by thanking “Aunt Gail for her candy apples.” Even more memorable was his opening line, advocating for young filmmakers to shoot on film:

“To all the aspiring filmmakers out there, I would like to say please try shooting that incredible new hip thing called celluloid. It's much easier than you think. And it makes things look so much better,” Van Hoytema said.

Robert Downey Jr. for Best Supporting Actor 

Robert Downey, Jr. accepts the Oscar® for Actor in a Supporting Role during the live ABC telecast of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit: Phil McCarten ©A.M.P.A.S.

For his performance as Lewis Strauss in “Oppenheimer,” Downey Jr. took home his first Academy Award. He opened his speech by thanking his terrible childhood, The Academy (“in that order”) and his wife: “She found me a snarling rescue pet, and you loved me back to life.” Downey Jr. went on to thank his agent, stylist, mother, and of course, his entertainment lawyer.

“And I'm just going to say this: My entertainment lawyer, Tom Hansen, of 40 years, the half of which he spent trying to get me insured and bailing me out of the hoosegow. Thanks, bro,” Downey said.

Emma Stone for Best Actress 

Emma Stone accepts the Oscar® for Actress in a Leading Role during the live ABC telecast of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit: Trae Patton / ©A.M.P.A.S.

Perhaps the biggest shocker of the night, it seems as if Emma Stone was equally as baffled by her Best Actress win. Initially stumbling over her words, the “Poor Things” actress pulled it together with her giddy charisma and humor. Her speech opened with the following revelation:

“Oh, boy. My dress has broken. I think it happened during "I'm Just Ken." I'm pretty sure,” Stone said.

Christopher Nolan for Best Director

Christopher Nolan accepts the Oscar® for Directing during the live ABC telecast of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit: Phil McCarten ©A.M.P.A.S.

It would have taken until the 97th Academy Awards for Nolan to thank his entire “Oppenheimer” cast and crew. The newly crowned best director kept it brief with a few names, including Emma Thomas, his wife and producer. Although he’d be back on stage after “Oppenheimer” took home Best Picture, his Best Director speech put a perfect period on his historic run. 

“And to the Academy: just to say movies are just a little bit over 100 years old. Imagine being there into 100 years of painting or theater. We don't know where this incredible journey is going from here, but to know that you think I had a meaningful part of it means the world to me, thank you very much,” Nolan said.