Abby Connolly
Frances McDormand winning ‘Best Actress’ in 2018
Frances McDormand had a lot of pressure on her shoulders when she accepted the Best Actress award for her performance in “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” in 2018. She was the woman of the evening, and that night, many Hollywood stars supported the Time’s Up and #MeToo movement.
Injustice and under-representation of women in film were a big part of the conversation that night, and Frances made sure to include it in her speech in the coolest way.
“Okay, so I’m hyperventilating a little bit,” began Frances.
“If I fall over, pick me up ’cause I’ve got some things to say.”
Later in her speech, Frances asked that every single woman nominated for an Academy Award stand up so everyone in that room could celebrate them and give them the recognition they deserved.
“Okay, look around, everybody. Look around, ladies and gentlemen, because we all have stories to tell and projects we need financed. Don’t talk to us about it at the parties tonight. Invite us into your office in a couple of days, or you can come to ours, whatever suits you best, and we’ll tell you all about them.”
It was a moment that had ladies in the audience and those sitting watching the show at home in tears.
Sacheen Littlefeather accepting the ‘Best Actor’ award for Marlon Brando in 1973
One of Marlon Brando’s most iconic roles was Don Vito Corleone in “The Godfather.” While many people anticipated his acceptance speech for the role, he chose not to attend the ceremony. He had Native American activist and actress Sacheen Littlefeather accept the award on his behalf.
Sacheen used the moment to speak out against the misrepresentation and mistreatment of Native people in Hollywood, a cause that led Marlon not to accept his Oscar.
