Top Ten Most Memorable Oscar Speeches

Every year the Oscars roll around and we look forward to seeing who will win and what the stars will wear. But occasionally - in good years anyway --we get a memorable speech out of the Awards themselves. Below is our list of the most memorable Oscar speeches (in chronological order).

Marlon Brando - In 1973, it was a thin, beautiful Native American woman who took to the stage and didn't accept Brando's Oscar for his role in"The Godfather." The woman was sent by Brando and explained that because of the treatment of Native Americans in the entertainment industry he would have to decline accepting the award.

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Sally Field - In 1985, the two-time Best Actress winner made arguably the most quotable of all Oscar acceptance speeches when she picked up her statue for "Places In The Heart" (her first was for "Norma Rae" in1980). The previously humble Field said, "I haven't had an orthodox career, and I've wanted more than anything to have your respect. The first time I didn't feel it, but this time I feel it, and I can't deny the fact that you like me. Right now, you like me!"

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Joe Pesci - In 1990, Pesci won Best Supporting Actor for his quotable character in "Goodfellas." Pesci made his own quotable statement by making the shortest acceptance speech in Oscar history, "It was my privilege," he said, followed simply by, "Thank you."

Tom Hanks - In 1994, he thanked his "gay teacher" when he was awarded his Best Actor Oscar for "Philadelphia." The speech was a tearjerker,but also an inspiration for a future big screen comedy. It went on to inspire the 1997 movie "In & Out" that was about a gay teacher (played by Kevin Kline) who was outed at the Oscars when a former student thanked him in his acceptance speech.

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Cuba Gooding, Jr. - In 1997, the Best Supporting Actor winner thanked his "Jerry Maguire" co-stars by channeling his on screen energetic character, Rod Tidwell. He shouted, "I love you, Tom Cruise! I love you,brother! I love you, man! Everybody, I love you. I love you all."Gooding want on to declare his love for director Cameron Crowe and a slew of others involved in the movie and his life. The acceptance speech was as charismatic as the role for which he won.

Robin Williams - In 1998, he won Best Supporting Actor for "Good Will Hunting." Always one to draw laughter from the crowd, Williams said,"Most of all, I want to thank my father, up there, the man who when I said I wanted to be an actor, he said, 'Wonderful, just have a back up profession like welding.'"

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Julia Roberts - In 2001, Roberts won Best Actress for her role in "Erin Brockovich." When she realized she had passed the 45-second time limit she exclaimed, "A girl's got to have her moment. Everybody tries to getme to shut up. It didn't work with my parents and it didn't work now."She neglected to thank the actual Erin Brockovich, however, on whom her role was based!

Halle Berry - In 2002, Berry became the first African-American woman in history to win a Best Actress Academy Award. And, no one will ever forget it. Looking stunning in her Elie Saab dress, Berry babbled,cried, laughed and thanked everyone under the Hollywood sun (and beyond). Her speech went four times longer than the allotted 45 seconds.

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Adrien Brody - In 2003, Brody won Best Actor for his role in Roman Polanski's "The Piano." After his speech, he turned to presenter (the previous year's Best Actress winner) Halle Berry, and planted a huge kiss on her. This was clearly not planned, but the audience loved it and Halle didn't seem to mind either.

Michael Moore - In 2003, Moore won for his documentary, "Bowling For Columbine." His speech began as uneventful as documentary winners of the past, but in true Moore fashion, it wasn't long before he turned controversial. After a short political tirade, he ended on "…Shame on you, Mr. Bush, shame on you. And any time you got the Pope and the Dixie Chicks against you, your time is up!"