Adrien Brody wins second Oscar, calls out antisemitism and hate in powerful speech
Adrien Brody made history Sunday night by securing his second Academy Award for Best Actor, this time for his role in The Brutalist.
The Jewish actor’s latest win comes 21 years after his first Oscar for “The Pianist” (2003), making him one of the few actors to receive multiple Best Actor awards for portraying Holocaust survivors.
However, it was Brody’s acceptance speech that truly resonated, as he took the opportunity to address the ongoing impacts of war, oppression, and antisemitism—issues deeply relevant both to his role in The Brutalist and to the world today.
In “The Pianist”, Brody portrayed Władysław Szpilman, a Jewish pianist who survived the Warsaw Ghetto. That performance catapulted Brody into Hollywood history as the youngest actor to ever win Best Actor at age 29.
Now, in “The Brutalist”, Brody steps into the role of László Tóth, an architect who escapes war-torn Europe and tries to rebuild his life in postwar America. Unlike his previous role, which focused entirely on Szpilman’s Holocaust experience, “The Brutalist” explores the long-term effects of trauma and displacement.
Standing on the Oscars stage, Brody reflected on the significance of portraying two different Jewish men shaped by persecution and survival, saying:
“I’m here once again to represent the lingering traumas and the repercussions of war, and systematic oppression and of antisemitism and racism and of othering, and I believe that I pray for a healthier and a happier and a more inclusive world, and I believe if the past can teach us anything, it’s a reminder to not let hate go unchecked.”
The speech struck a powerful chord in the current global climate, where antisemitic incidents have been on the rise.
Brody’s speech highlights a long-running issue in the entertainment industry: how Hollywood deals with antisemitism, both on and off-screen. While many Jewish filmmakers and actors have found success, discrimination and stereotyping have persisted. His statement aligns with efforts by figures like Sarah Silverman and Sacha Baron Cohen, who have called for greater representation and accountability in the industry.
Additionally, Brody’s win comes amid a broader reckoning with hate speech and extremism worldwide. His message served as a reminder that historical injustices still carry weight today and that voices in entertainment can play a role in shaping public discourse.
Brody’s Oscars victory caps off an already successful award season. He previously won a Golden Globe for The Brutalist and took home a Critics Choice Award earlier this month. The Critics Choice ceremony also featured a lighthearted moment when Brody was seen chatting with actor Adam Brody, who won Best Actor in a Comedy Series. The moment sparked social media jokes about the two unrelated actors sharing the same last name.
As Brody takes home his second Oscar, his speech ensures that the conversation won’t just be about his career milestone but also about the urgent need to stand against intolerance. His powerful words serve as both a call to action and a tribute to the resilience of those who, like the characters he has portrayed, have survived history’s darkest moments.
