Joaquin Phoenix gives powerful speech after winning Best Actor Oscar for Joker

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The actor gave a speech on human and animal rights before paying tribute to his brother, River

(Image credit: Warner Bros)

Joaquin Phoenix has won the Oscar for Best Actor for his performance in Joker, beating fellow nominees Antonio Banderas (Pain & Glory), Leonardo DiCaprio (Once Upon a Time in Hollywood), Adam Driver (Marriage Story), and Jonathan Price (The Two Popes). Phoenix was the favourite to win the award, but the actor was clearly moved during his speech.

Accepting the award, Phoenix took the opportunity to speak out against inequality, whether it be gender, race, or animal (the actor is an outspoken vegan). He referenced the farming industry's practice of artificially inseminating cows to then use their milk for commercial purposes. 

"When we use love and compassion as our guiding principals, we can create systems of change," Phoenix said. "Not when we cancel each other out for past mistakes, but when we guide each other to grow, for redemption, that is the best of humanity.”

His speech was reminiscent of his BAFTA speech, in which he called out Hollywood's "systemic racism" and implored his fellow actors to do better to increase diversity on set and in the business in general. 

He ended his speech with a lyric written by his late brother, River, who passed away in 1993: "Run to the rescue with love and peace will follow."

The Oscars ceremony was full of surprises, including a Best Picture win for Parasite. Here's the full Oscars 2020 winners list.

Jack Shepherd
Jack Shepherd
Freelance Journalist

Jack Shepherd is the former Senior Entertainment Editor of GamesRadar. Jack used to work at The Independent as a general culture writer before specializing in TV and film for the likes of GR+, Total Film, SFX, and others. You can now find Jack working as a freelance journalist and editor.