The 50 Greatest Oscar Moments of all Time: Countdown Numbers 20 to 11

From 1982 - Mickey Rooney's humbling acceptance speech for his Honorary Oscar. Mickey Rooney gave one of the most profoundly sad and true acceptance speeches in Oscar history ... he talked about back when he was a kid in the '30s, he was the number one star in the world. A few years later, he was broke, and nobody offered him work (nobody wanted me). He relayed the sad truth of Hollywood sometimes, that fame can be so fleeting and so temporary, and he ended on a positive note, thanking the people who helped get him work again.

Academy Memorable Moment Number 16

From 1993 - Tom Hanks giving a very emotional acceptance speech when winning Best Actor for Philadelphia.

His touching speech is worth repeating here: "I know that my work in this case is magnified by the fact that the streets of heaven are too crowded with angels. We know their names. They number a thousand for each one of the red ribbons that we wear here tonight. They finally rest in the warm embrace of the gracious creator of us all, a healing embrace that cools their fevers, that clears their skin, and allows their eyes to see the simple, self-evident commonsense truth that is made manifest by the benevolent creator of us all."

Academy Memorable Moment Number 15

From 1995 - Christopher Reeve's surprise appearance on the telecast. Christopher Reeve, once known for his heroic Superman role, had recently suffered a major spinal cord injury, forcing him into a wheelchair. On the night of the 1995 Oscars, the curtain opened to reveal him on stage. The standing ovation was immediate and long-lasting, and several people in the audience were on the verge of tears. He was there to present a film clip of moments from films that dealt with social issues, but seeing the bravery of him on stage still is a memory not to be soon forgotten.

Academy Memorable Moment Number 14

From 1973 - One of the most infamous moments in Oscar history is clearly the night when a nude streaker came running across Oscar's stage flashing a peace sign. But I'm not including that particular moment as one of Oscar's Greatest Moments, because it was actually one of the more embarrassing (where was the security?). But the moment immediately afterward ranks as one

Go To Page: 1 2 3 4