Oscars 2025 | Adrien Brody speaks against antisemitism and racism in Best Actor victory speech-OxBig News Network

Adrien Brody accepts the award for best performance by an actor in a leading role for “The Brutalist” during the Oscars on Sunday, March 2, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles
| Photo Credit: AP

Hollywood star Adrien Brody won his second-ever Oscar at the 97th Academy Awards today for his performance as a Holocaust survivor in Brady Corbet’s The Brutalist. While receiving the award, Brody showed gratitude and appeared emotional, stating that he wished for a “more inclusive world.”

Brody started his speech at the Oscars talking about the fragility of a career in the acting business. “Acting is a fragile profession. It looks very glamorous, and in certain moments it is, but the one thing that I have gained, having the privilege to come back here, is to have some perspective. And… no matter where you are in your career, no matter what you have accomplished, it can all go away. And I think what makes this night most special is the awareness of that and the gratitude I have to still do the work that I love.”

Adrien Brody accepts the award for best performance by an actor in a leading role for “The Brutalist” during the Oscars on Sunday, March 2, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
| Photo Credit:
AP

The star called his win a chance to begin again, “and to have the opportunity to hopefully be fortune enough for the next 20 years of my life that I can prove that I am worthy of such important, relevant roles. I share this with my fellow nominees who are just wonderful human beings who exude gracce, goodness and brilliance.”

Just as Brody started to thank his team, the Academy began to play music to signal the end of his time. Brody politely told them to turn the music off. “I’m wrapping up, please turn the music off,” Brody said, adding, “I’ve done this before. Thank you. It’s not my first rodeo, but I will be brief.”

After thanking his parents for creating “a strong foundation of respect, kindness and spirit,” Brody said, “I’m here once again to represent the lingering traumas and the repercussions of war and systematic oppression, of antisemitism and racism and of othering,” said Brody. “I pray for a healthier and happier and more inclusive world. If the past can teach us anything, it’s to not let hate go unchecked.”

“I love you, and I appreciate you all. Let’s fight for what’s right. Keep smiling, and keep loving one another. Let’s rebuild together,” said Brody as he signed off.

At the 97th Academy Awards, Brody competed in the category with Ralph Fiennes (Conclave), Timothee Chalamet (A Complete Unknown), Colman Domingo (Sing Sing), Sebastian Stan (The Apprentice).

Brody won an Academy Award for best actor in 2003 for his role in Roman Polanski’s The Pianist, another Holocaust drama. His gap of 22 years would be the second-longest between best actor wins. It was 29 years between wins for Silence of the Lambs and The Father for Anthony Hopkins.

The Brutalist, which was nominated for 10 Oscars including best picture, stars Brody as László Tóth, a Jewish architect rebuilding his life after World War II. Joining Brody is Felicity Jones as Erzsébet, Tóth’s wife, as the couple immigrates to the United States in search of a fresh start. Their journey takes a turn when Tóth encounters a wealthy and mysterious client, played by Guy Pearce, who becomes pivotal to the architect’s career.