Academy Awards Acceptance Speech Database

WENDY FINERMAN:
I'd like to say thank you to the Academy for this honor. And it's just so wonderful to be acknowledged with a great group of movies. Nine years ago I met a very special man who has since taken me on an amazing journey. There were many people who gave him gifts along the way. Eric Roth, you gave "Forrest" a soul. Tom Hanks, you gave "Forrest" a heart. And Bob Zemeckis, you gave "Forrest" a vision. Steve Tisch and Steve Starkey, you were great co-parents. "Forrest" was a labor of love to many people: our wonderful cast and crew, Sherry, Jon, Michelle, John, Barry, Arthur, all the people at Paramount, Winston, Craig, Rand. To my parents, grandparents, family, thank you for your support. To my husband Mark Canton, for your love and always saying go make this dream a reality. My parents always said dreams can come true, and to my own children, Dorothy, Henry and James, if you doubt it, please remember tonight because I always will. Thank you.

STEVE TISCH:
All over the political map people have been calling "Forrest" their own. But "Forrest Gump" isn't about politics or conservative values. It's about humanity. It's about respect, tolerance and unconditional love. And tonight we should all feel proud that we are in a business where we entertain, we educate, and we empower. I'd like to thank my family, my parents Joan and Bob, love to Jamie and to my two wonderful children, Hilary and Willy, and to my four best friends. And finally, thanks to all the "Forrest Gumps" in the world.

STEVE STARKEY:
Well, I truly want to thank the Academy for making me the final person to thank them tonight. Now I don't know if it was destiny or if it was chance that brought together the talented cast and extraordinary crew of "Forrest Gump," but maybe as "Forrest" said: "Maybe it was both, maybe both were happening at the same time." But in any case, as I look back I can't imagine making this film without any one of them or without the commitment of Sherry Lansing and Paramount Studios. But most of all, the picture could not have been made without the gentle spirit of Tom Hanks and the guidance and inspiration of the guy we fondly call Bob Z, the truly visionary director Bob Zemeckis. And I wish to thank them all, and especially my wife Olivia who has stood beside me over the years in everything I've done. And hello to my parents. Thank you all very much.