The Oscars Onstage Speeches - 'And I'd Like To Thank....'

26-02-2007 11:10

It’s every performer’s moment of glory, when, overwhelmed by emotion, they walk up to the platform to grab their gold statue. There have been so many memorable acceptance speeches at the Annual Academy Awards over the last 79 years and it really is a complicated art in itself, when the dignitary only has a limited 45-second time limit to thank practically everyone in Hollywood.Remember Gwyneth Paltrow sobbing her heart out when she was given her gong in 1999 for Shakespeare in Love, the rather political speech made over thirty years ago when Sacheen Littlefeather, received the Oscar on behalf of Marlon Brando or the director Jonathan Demme, accepting for "The Silence of the Lambs," using the word "uh" almost 40 times in a five-minute address in 1992.First salutes the dazzling stars! Here are the great official onstage speeches from last night’s ceremony at the Kodak Theatre: Best Actress: Helen Mirrren

Film: "The Queen"I've got my purse in one hand, my earring in the other. Thank you, Academy. Thank you so much. Huge honor. You know, my sister told me that all kids love to get gold stars, and this is the biggest and the best gold star that I have ever had in my life. I want to share my gold star with my fellow nominees, those brilliant, brilliant actresses who gave such amazing performances this year. I also share my gold star with the filmmakers, with Stephen Frears, with Peter Morgan, with Andy Harries and all the producers and all the filmmakers and the cast. Thank you.Now you know for 50 years and more, Elizabeth Windsor has maintained her dignity, her sense of duty, and her hairstyle. She's had her feet planted firmly on the ground, her hat on her head, her handbag on her arm and she's weathered many, many storms, and I salute her courage and her consistency. And I thank her because if it wasn't for her, I most, most certainly would not be here. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you The Queen. Thank you. Thank you very much.Best Actor: Forest Whitaker

Film: The Last King of Scotland

Thank you. Thank you. Just a second, just a second. OK. Take it. OK. I wrote something down, because I thought if it would happen that I would be a little overwhelmed and I am. So, OK. When I was a kid, the only way that I saw movies was from the backseat of my family's car. At the drive-in. And, it wasn't my reality to think I would be acting in movies, so receiving this honor tonight tells me that it's possible. It is possible for a kid from east Texas, raised in South Central L.A. in Carson, who believes in his dreams, commits himself to them with his heart, to touch them, and to have them happen.