Adrien Brody jokes he doesn’t deserve 'paddling' for record 5-minute Oscars speech

Adrien Brody is leaning into the controversy surrounding his marathon acceptance speech at the 2025 Academy Awards, joking that he shouldn’t “take a paddling” for what remains the longest Oscars speech in history.

The two-time Oscar winner, who recently returned to the stage with his Broadway debut in The Fear of 13, reflected on the moment in an interview with USA TODAY, acknowledging both the pressure and spontaneity behind his nearly six-minute address.

In 2025, Brody set a new Academy Awards record when he spoke for approximately 5 minutes and 40 seconds after winning Best Actor for The Brutalist. 

His speech, which blended gratitude with reflections on racism, systemic oppression, and antisemitism, quickly became a talking point online, dividing viewers over its length and tone.

Looking back, Brody said the experience was shaped by emotion and the overwhelming nature of the moment. 

“It’s a very funny thing,” he said, noting that winners rarely have the clarity or structure needed to deliver concise remarks under pressure.

“There are a lot of people and circumstances that got me to that place,” he added, explaining that he was attempting to process years of work and recognition in real time. “It took a little longer than I thought.”

While acknowledging the criticism, Brody suggested the scrutiny felt uneven. “I witness people blather on about things that no one’s criticizing as much,” he said, adding that the moment was ultimately one of “joy and contemplation.”

He also pointed out that his achievement extended beyond his speech, noting that his performance in The Brutalist gave him one of the longest screen times ever for a Best Actor Oscar winner.

“That was the longest screen time of any actor, too,” Brody said with a laugh. “So I should be allowed three extra seconds without a paddling.”