The 2023 Academy Awards included many moving acceptance speeches, unexpected twists, and extraordinary films. Here are a few of the most memorable parts of the greatest Hollywood night of the year.
A full-circle moment
Sunday’s ceremony was an opportunity for Ke Huy Quan to catch up with his old friend Harrison Ford.
Quan, who starred alongside Ford in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom when he was a child, won best supporting actor for Everything Everywhere All at Once following a two-decade break from performing.
After Everything Everywhere’s best picture win, he excitedly ran up to the stage and embraced his former co-star, who presented the award.
- Ke Huy Quan: From forgotten child star to Oscars hero
Lada Gaga goes make-up free
Lada Gaga made sure her vocals were centre stage when she performed without make-up and wearing jeans and a plain T-shirt.
The look for her performance of Hold My Hand, nominated for best original song, was a stark contrast to her earlier appearance on the not-so-red carpet, in a black Versace dress with a sheer corset bodice.
While on the carpet, she received praise from fans on social media for rushing to the aid of a photographer who appeared to have fallen when walking past her.
Hugh Grant talks up the benefits of moisturiser
British actor Hugh Grant’s humour was a hit with the crowd at the Dolby Theatre.
When presenting the award for best production design with his Four Weddings and a Funeral co-star Andie MacDowell, Grant joked: “The purpose of this is two-fold.
“The first is to raise the vital importance of a good moisturiser. Andie has used one every day of her life, I have not.”
Grant then gestured to MacDowell, saying: “Still stunning.” He then gestured to himself: “Basically a scrotum.”
Earlier in the evening, Grant seemed less enthused as he spoke to model Ashely Graham about his cameo appearance in the film Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery.
Asked about his experience filming the sequel, he replied: “Well I’m barely in it. I’m in it for three seconds.”
Probed further about whether he enjoyed filming it, he replied: “Almost.”
John Travolta’s tearful tribute to Grease co-star
When presenting the In Memoriam tribute for Hollywood figures who have died last year, John Travolta offered an emotional tribute to his Grease co-star Olivia Newton John.
“We remain hopelessly devoted to you,” Travolta tearfully said, referencing the iconic song by Newton John.
Jimmy Kimmel addresses The Slap
The late-night talk show host returned to host his third Academy Awards ceremony. He quickly addressed last year’s Oscars controversy, when Will Smith slapped Chris Rock on stage.
“We want you to have fun, feel safe and, most importantly, we want me feel safe. So, we have strict policies in place,” Kimmel said.
“If anyone in this theatre commits an act of violence at any point during the show, you will be awarded the Oscar for best actor and permitted to give a 19-minute long speech.
“But seriously, the Academy has a crisis team in place,” he added. “If anything unpredictable or violent happens during the show, sit there and do absolutely nothing. Maybe even give the assailant a hug.”
… and brings a donkey on stage
In an ode to the Irish film Banshees of Inisherin, Kimmel later brought a donkey on stage.
“She’s a certified emotional support donkey. At least that’s what we told the airline to get her on the plane from Ireland. If you’re feeling sad or need a hug… Let’s get you back on that Spirit Airlines flight now.”
https://emp.bbc.com/emp/SMPj/2.47.3/iframe.htmlMedia caption,
WATCH: Kimmel kicks off Oscars with Will Smith joke, then brings out a donkey
Cocaine Bear makes an appearance
Elizabeth Banks presented the award for best visual effects – accompanied by a very hyperactive grizzly.
“I recently directed the film Cocaine Bear and without visual effects, this is what the bear would look like,” Banks joked.
An Irish Goodbye star gets birthday singalong
The directors of best short film, An Irish Goodbye, used their acceptance speech to sing a rendition of Happy Birthday to one of the film’s stars, James Martin.
After saying their thank yous, director Ross White said: “This award is actually the second most important thing about today because it’s this man’s birthday”, referring to Martin.
“We’d like to use the rest of our time up here to sing for James,” he added, before leading the audience in song while Martin clasped the Oscars award.
Source: BBC