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The Six Most Memorable Oscars Acceptance Speeches

With the 84th annual Academy Awards coming up on Sunday, there are so many things to look forward to: Brad Pitt walking down the red carpet with his cane, George Clooney doing, well, just about anything, and, of course, the never-ending acceptance speeches.Unfortunately, there are few actors who keep their...
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With the 84th annual Academy Awards coming up on Sunday, there are so many things to look forward to: Brad Pitt walking down the red carpet with his cane, George Clooney doing, well, just about anything, and, of course, the never-ending acceptance speeches.

Unfortunately, there are few actors who keep their thank-yous short and sweet; most get cued off stage by the orchestra. Why hasn't anyone told Pitt to drag those actors off stage with his cane yet?

Still, some speeches have been entertaining -- or at least entertainingly awful. Here's a look at some of the most memorable Oscar acceptance speeches in history.


Marlon Brando
Probably the most bizarre acceptance, Brando was so upset about the depiction of Native Americans in Hollywood that he sent a Native American activist (who later became a Playboy model) to decline the award for him. After that stunt, The Academy banned proxy acceptance at the Oscars.

James Cameron
Cameron declared he was "king of the world" while accepting the Oscar for Best Director in 1998. We don't know what's more arrogant, saying you're the king of the world or quoting your own movie.

Angelina Jolie
Who can forget the moment that Jolie announced she was "so in love" with her brother during her acceptance speech? Jolie wins our award for Most Disturbing Acceptance Speech of All Time. Keep your thoughts of incest to yourself, woman.

Cuba Gooding Jr.
The way Gooding expressed his love for everyone involved with the film was a little over the top, but his sentiments were sweet. You can tell he's legitimately shocked and not faking it, unlike Taylor Swift after winning her fifth Grammy.

Joe Pesci
Who can complain about a six-word speech? Thanks for being one of the few who understands that long speeches are boring, Pesci. Let's hope this year's winners learned a thing or two from you.

Tom Hanks
Although Hanks seems to be perfect in almost every way, he has messed up once. While accepting the Oscar for Best Actor in 1994, he accidentally outed his high school drama teacher, who hadn't come out of the closet just yet. Oops?

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