Oscars 2011: Best Female Oscar Acceptance Speeches

I have a friend who maintains that he'd enjoy the Academy Awards broadcast if it weren't for the acceptance speeches. Perhaps we all feel that way...at least a little bit. Most of the speeches, such an integral part of the occasion, are lists of names we've never heard of, read from tiny lists pulled out of pockets or sleeves. Still, every once in a while, the human, vulnerable side of an award-winner shines through. The moments are usually unrehearsed, but they make up the best of what the Oscars signify. Here are a couple of my favorites by women:

Louise Fletcher

Louise Fletcher, not particularly well known at the time, won the 1975 Best Actress award (as well as a Golden Globe award) for her portrayal of the hateful Nurse Ratched in "One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest." Her short speech included a bit of humor when she quipped, "I loved that you hated me so much," referring to her role. She also added a human touch when she signed the last part of her speech to her deaf parents, thanking them for allowing her to follow her dream.

Maureen Stapleton

Maureen Stapleton was a Hollywood veteran when she won the 1981 Best Supporting Actress award for her role as Emma Goldman in the film, "Reds." In fact, she had been nominated twice before (for "Lonelyhearts" in 1958 and for "Airport" in 1970). In her acceptance speech, she seemed taken aback and genuinely and sincerely surprised. She ended the short speech by thanking "everybody I've ever met in my entire life."

Hillary Swank

When she won her second Oscar for Best Actress in 2004 for her work in "Million Dollar Baby," it was clear that Oscar success hadn't gone to Hilary Swank's head. (Swank won the Best Actress statuette also in 1999 for "Boys Don't Cry.") In her second acceptance speech, Swank exclaimed, "I don't know what I did in this life to deserve all this; I'm just a girl from a trailer park who had a dream!" It was simple and heartfelt.

Vivian Leigh

Though this one was a little before my time, I've seen the tape of Vivian Leigh accepting the Best Actress award in 1940 for her work in "Gone with the Wind." She simply stated, "...if I were to mention all those who showed me such wonderful generosity through 'Gone With The Wind,' I should have to entertain you with an oration as long as 'Gone With The Wind' itself. So, if I may, I should like to devote my thanks on this occasion, to the composite figure of energy and courage and very great kindness, in whom all points in 'Gone With The Wind' meet, Mr David Selznick." It was short, to-the-point, and elegant. Are you reading this, Natalie Portman?

Sources:

http://www.esquire.com/the-side/past-oscar-winners-022099#ixzz1EvJ4IA00

http://blogs.villagevoice.com/dailymusto/2011/01/the_10_best_osc.php

http://community.livejournal.com/ohnotheydidnt/44355691.html

Learn more about the Oscars at Oscars.yahoo.com.