Oscar Speeches!

BEST ACTRESS: HELEN MIRREN

FILM: "THE QUEEN"

I've got my purse in one hand, my earring in the other. Thank you, Academy. Thank you so much. Huge honor. You know, my sister told me that all kids love to get gold stars, and this is the biggest and the best gold star that I have ever had in my life. I want to share my gold star with my fellow nominees, those brilliant, brilliant actresses who gave such amazing performances this year. I also share my gold star with the filmmakers, with Stephen Frears, with Peter Morgan, with Andy Harries and all the producers and all the filmmakers and the cast. Thank you. 

Now you know for 50 years and more, Elizabeth Windsor has maintained her dignity, her sense of duty, and her hairstyle. She's had her feet planted firmly on the ground, her hat on her head, her handbag on her arm and she's weathered many, many storms, and I salute her courage and her consistency. And I thank her because if it wasn't for her, I most, most certainly would not be here. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you The Queen. Thank you. Thank you very much. 

BEST ACTOR: FOREST WHITAKER

FILM: THE LAST KING OF SCOTLAND

Thank you. Thank you. Just a second, just a second. OK. Take it. OK. I wrote something down, because I thought if it would happen that I would be a little overwhelmed and I am. So, OK. When I was a kid, the only way that I saw movies was from the backseat of my family's car. At the drive-in. And, it wasn't my reality to think I would be acting in movies, so receiving this honor tonight tells me that it's possible. It is possible for a kid from east Texas, raised in South Central L.A. in Carson, who believes in his dreams, commits himself to them with his heart, to touch them, and to have them happen. 

Because when I first started acting, it was because of my desire to connect to everyone. To that thing inside each of us. That light that I believe exists in all of us. Because acting for me is about believing in that connection and it's a connection so strong, it's a connection so deep, that we feel it. And through our combined belief, we can create a new reality. So I want to thank my fellow believers in The Last King of Scotland. I want to thank Peter, Jeremy, Andrea, Lisa, Charles, Kevin, James McAvoy, Kerry, Stephen, Fox, DNA, Channel Four. I want to thank the people of Uganda, who helped this film have a spirit. And finally, I want to thank my mom and my dad. I want to thank my wife Keisha, my children, my ancestors, who continue to guide my steps. And God, God who believes in us all. And who's given me this moment, in this lifetime, that I will hopefully carry to the end of my lifetime into the next lifetime. Thank you. 

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: JENNIFER HUDSON

FILM: "DREAMGIRLS"

Oh my God. I have to just take this moment in. I cannot believe this. Look what God can do. If my grandmother& I didn't think I was going to win but, wow, if my grandmother was here to see me now. She was my biggest inspiration for everything because she was a singer and she had the passion for it but she never had the chance. And that was the thing that pushed me forward to continue. But I'm so grateful to have my mother here celebrating with me. My boyfriend, my sisters and my brothers back home, and then I've got two of them here. Thank you all for being here, and supporting me. I'd also like to thank Bill Condon, our director, who's a genius. Wow. Oh my God. Unbelievable cast. I'd like to thank the Academy. Definitely have to thank God again. I can't believe this. Wow, I don't know what to say but I thank you all for helping me keep the faith even when I didn't believe. Thank you and God bless you all. Jennifer Holliday, too. 

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR:ALAN ARKIN

FILM: LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE

I know you're not supposed to read but I'd be totally incoherent if I didn't. It's handwritten, it's short. More than anything, I am deeply moved by the open-hearted appreciation our small film has received. Which in these fragmented times speak so openly speak of the possibility of innocence, growth and connection.  

Acting for me has always been and always will be a team sport. I cannot work at all unless I feel a spirit of unity around me. So my main sense of gratitude goes to the entire cast and crew and production team of Little Miss Sunshine for creating the same sense of joy and trust and community that the film speaks about. I'd like to thank the Academy, Fox Searchlight, my wife Suzanne, my sons Adam, Matthew and Tony for their endless support. My representation Estelle, Lee, Frank and Melody, and for the great teachers I've had throughout my life, both in and out of the profession. Thank you very much. 

BEST DIRECTOR: MARTIN SCORSESE

FILM: THE DEPARTED

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Rick. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Please, please. Thank you. Thank you. Could you double-check the envelope, please? I mean, I'm overwhelmed with this honor from the Academy and also the honor of being presented by my old, old friends. We go back 37 years. I'm so moved, so moved. 

I've got thank Warner Bros.' Alan Horn and Dan and Jeff and I've got to thank our producers Brad Grey and Graham King and Mac Brown and my old friend Joe Reidy, we're working for 20 years. And Rick Yorn and John Lesher and Chris Donnelly and Ari Emanuel. And that crazy script by Bill Monahan that got me in all this trouble in the first place. And Andrew Lau's original film from Hong Kong, the wonderful Asian cinema. And Michael Ballhaus on camera. And Howard Shore's wonderful score. And my old, good friend Thelma Schoonmaker. Ellen Lewis for her casting. 

And so much of this belongs to the cast, I can't tell you. Jack Nicholson for his courage and his inspiration. Leo DiCaprio, six-and-a-half year's work we've done together. I hope another 12, another 15. Mark Wahlberg, Matt Damon, Alec Baldwin, Ray Winstone and Vera Farmiga and Marty Sheen. 

I just want to say too that so many people over the years have been wishing this for me. Strangers. You know, I went walking in the street, people say something to me. I go in a doctor's office, I go in a whatever. Elevators, people saying, "You should win one, you should win one." I go for an X-Ray, "you should win one." I'm saying, "thank you." Friends of mine over the years and friends who are here tonight are wishing this for me and my family, I thank you. This is for you. 

And I also want to thank my daughter Cathy, who is here tonight, who worked on the film. And Domenica, my wife Helen, and our little Francesca, who's seven years old who's watching right now. Francesca, stay up for another 10 minutes but then jump up and down and make a lot of noise at the hotel. Okay. I'll see you in the morning. Thank you.

BEST FILM: GRAHAM KING

FILM: "THE DEPARTED"

To be standing here where the Queen of England just stood... Idi Amin, is pretty incredible. To be standing here where Martin Scorsese won his Oscar is such a joy, such a joy. Now, I have to read something. I want to thank Warner Bros., amazing guys to work with, Alan Horn, Jeff Robinov, Dan Lin, a huge thanks to Kevin McCormick, who takes my 15 calls a day, everyday. All the cast and crew that Marty just mentioned. You know, I've been lucky enough to work with this guy four times now, and last year, I was lucky enough to produce two movies, The Departed and Blood Diamond. I just want to tell you, from the bottom of my heart, that to me, Mr. Leonardo DiCaprio, what amazing performances he does every single time. Every time. I love you, man. 

I can't really stand here and not thank Jack. To watch Marty direct Jack... we'll talk about that later. I want to thank all my family, all my friends, Bill Monahan, what a great screenplay. What a great screenplay. Rick, you've been there for years, every one. My kids, who're at the back there, Hayley and Sammie, you're awesome. My family and my sister, Erica, a lot of patience for me, thank you so much. And I just want to say to everyone that knows me, Colin, my business counter, Denis, who spent every day on set with me. I know I drove you nuts. Thank you. Thanks to everyone. Thank you so much.

photo: AMPAS