Academy Awards Acceptance Speeches | Margaret Herrick Library | Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences

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Year: 1984 (57th) Academy Awards

Category: Actor in a Leading Role

Film Title: Amadeus

Winner: F. Murray Abraham

Presenter: Shirley MacLaine

Date & Venue: March 25, 1985; Dorothy Chandler Pavilion

F. MURRAY ABRAHAM:
It would be a lie if I told you I didn't know what to say because I've been working on this speech for about twenty-five years. But you are not going to hear any of those speeches because none of the speeches were less than forty-five seconds.

You know, it's easy to gamble everything when you've got nothing to lose, and Milos Forman had a great deal to lose when he gave these brilliant roles to Tom Hulce and me. And his courage became my inspiration. There's only one thing that's missing for me tonight and that is to have Tom Hulce standing by my side.

[He steps away from the podium, then returns; music starts to play.] Wait a minute! Wait, I still have more time! [Laughs.] Half of this statue belongs to my beloved wife Kate. Thank you.

© Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
[Note: All winners are present except where noted; NOT all winners may have spoken.]