Favorite Oscar Acceptance Speeches

Award show season is one of my favorite times of the year. Ever since I was a little girl, I've dragged my family into the living room to celebrate one of Hollywood's biggest events of the calendar: the Academy Awards. It's the one night where I rave about my favorite celebrities, gab about the fashion, and get inspired with the humbling Thank Yous.

With one acceptance speech, I'm reminded that all the greatest stars of the silver screen are still are people who had a dream and their hard work paid off. In celebration of film, here are some of my favorite acceptance speeches - What are your favorite acceptance speeches? Feel free to share below!
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Cuba Gooding Jr for Best Supporting Actor in Jerry Maguire

Not only one of my favorite movies of all time but one of my favorite performances too. A partner to Tom Cruise's Jerry Maguire, Gooding kills it at his only client; eccentric, family-oriented, bursting with frustration Rod Tidwell. A deserved award for a deserving performance in a cut-too-early standing ovation worthy speech.

Christian Bale for Best Supporting Actor in The Fighter

An actor with a stable amount of performances that were so worthy of nominations. A longtime fan since seeing him in Little Women when I was nine, I was so happy to witness the night he finally knicked one.

Marion Cotillard for Best Actress in La Vi En Rose

She could win an Oscar for a Crest toothpaste commercial. A bundle of stunning nerves and grace, Cotillard expresses what everyone must think of when they run out of peers and family to thank.

Tom Hanks for Best Actor in Philadelphia

Words so beautiful and spoken so sincerely, there might not be a truer heavenly speech that tops this one. An equally wonderful speech is worth a look as well for his award-winning work in Forrest Gump.

Matthew McConaughey for Best Actor in The Dallas Buyers Club

McConaughey accepts an award in the only way most would expect, giving some life lessons to just keep livin' as the underrated storyteller he really is.

Hattie McDaniel for Best Supporting Actress in Gone with the Wind

For a heartbreaking performance and an award that broke down barriers, Hattie McDaniels gives a beautiful thank-you speech so full of heart and class.

Audrey Hepburn for Best Actress in Roman Holiday

Roman Holiday is not a movie I've seen yet, but I trust by the love of her work that it is well deserved. Her speech is the gentlest one ever uttered. Who couldn't listen to her soft voice all the live long day?