Adrien Brody’s Iconic Oscar Speech and the Chewing Gum Moment

At the 97th Academy Awards held on March 3, 2025, Adrien Brody clinched the Best Actor award for his portrayal of Hungarian-Jewish architect László Tóth in The Brutalist. This win marked his second Oscar in the category, following his 2003 victory for The Pianist.

As Brody ascended the stage to accept his award, he realized he was still chewing gum. In a spontaneous move, he removed the gum and tossed it towards his partner, fashion designer Georgina Chapman, who attempted to catch it.

This candid moment garnered mixed reactions online, with some viewers finding it endearing and others deeming it inappropriate.

During his acceptance speech, Brody addressed the orchestra's cue to conclude but continued speaking, ultimately delivering a speech that lasted five minutes and 40 seconds—surpassing the previous record held by Greer Garson in 1943.

He reflected on the precarious nature of the acting profession and emphasized the importance of addressing issues such as antisemitism and racism. While some audience members appreciated his heartfelt message, others criticized the speech as overly lengthy and self-indulgent.

The Brutalist also secured awards for Best Original Score and Best Cinematography, contributing to its recognition at the ceremony.

However, the night's most celebrated film was Anora, directed by Sean Baker, which won five major awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Original Screenplay.

Brody's gum-tossing incident and extended speech became focal points of post-Oscars discussions, highlighting the unpredictable nature of live award shows and the diverse public reactions they elicit.