Brad Pitt delivered an emotional acceptance speech after winning his first-ever acting Oscar for Once Upon a Time in Hollywood during which he also criticised the verdict of Trump’s impeachment trial.
The actor beat out Anthony Hopkins (The Two Popes), Al Pacino, Joe Pesci (both for The Irishman) and Tom Hanks (A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood) to win the trophy.
“This is incredible,” the actor said, calling it an “honour of honours”.
“I’m not one to look back but this has made me do so. I think of my folks taking me to the drive in to see Butch and Sundance and loading up my car and moving out, and Geena [Davis] and Ridley [Scott] giving me my first shot to all the wonderful people I’ve met along the way, to stand here now.
Pitt was referring to films Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and Thelma & Louise, the 1991 film that marked his first big-screen performance.
He also praised his co-star Leonardo DiCaprio, saying: “I’ll ride on your coattails any day, man – the view’s fantastic.”
Pitt also criticised the verdict of Trump’s impeachment trial.
Earlier in the ceremony, an uncomfortable Pitt recoiled as actor-singer Janelle Monae, who performed the opening song, placed the microphone in front of his face.
South Korean black comedy Parasite was the evening’s biggest winner, making history by becoming the first ever foreign language film to win Best Picture.
Other winners at the 2020 ceremony included Laura Dern, who took home the prize for Best Supporting Actress.
As expected, Joaquin Phoenix won Best Actor for Joker following which he criticised inequality and paid tribute to his brother River Phoenix, who died in 1993.
Meanwhile, Olivia Colman had the audience in stitches before presenting Phoenix with his award.