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

Home : Research & Preservation : Resources & Databases : Academy Awards Acceptance Speeches

Search Results

| | |

Watch the video

Year: 2003 (76th) Academy Awards

Category: Honorary Award

Winner: To Blake Edwards in recognition of his writing, directing and producing an extraordinary body of work for the screen.

Presenter: Jim Carrey

Date & Venue: February 29, 2004; Kodak Theatre

BLAKE EDWARDS:
Wow. That felt good. I have been allowed a minute and a half, or ninety seconds--my choice--to thank everyone that made it possible for me to receive this honor. When I started giving it some thought, serious thought, everyone, I mean everyone, got me here tonight. The first person that came to mind when I tried to pick them out was a little guy who worked on the film I did called "The Party." And he used to come out with a shovel and scoop up the elephant poop. And as he did he sang "There's No Business Like Show Business." And then there was a confused Italian actor that we tried to get him to understand what this okay sign [makes "okay" hand sign] meant in our vernacular. Okay. We just said, just do that [makes "okay" hand sign]. And he always did this [makes wrong hand sign]. And so we decided better we conform to him than he to us. So from then on, on the set, I would say, get the shot, Phil? [Makes wrong hand sign]. Cutting room: you drop a couple frames just before the alligator swallows the chimp, Ralphie? [Makes wrong hand sign]. Do you think Audrey can sing it, Henry? [Makes wrong hand sign]. The point is, each and every one who has contributed to this moment, friends and foes alike--yeah, I couldn't have done it without the foes. I'm steamed and I'm gonna prove you're wrong, okay? So it's everyone, from the little guy with the shovel to the discerning folks in the Academy. My mother thanks you. My father thanks you. And the beautiful English broad with the incomparable soprano and promiscuous vocabulary thanks you. And I sure as hell thank you.

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

Feedback/More information