Adrien Brody has officially joined Hollywood’s elite, taking home his second Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in Brady Corbet’s The Brutalist. With this win, Brody cements his place among acting legends like Marlon Brando, Tom Hanks, and Sean Penn — actors who have each claimed two Oscars in the Best Actor category.
Beating out formidable contenders — Timothée Chalamet (A Complete Unknown), Colman Domingo (Sing Sing), Ralph Fiennes (Conclave), and Sebastian Stan (The Apprentice) — Brody took to the stage in a moment that will be remembered not just for the gold statuette in his hand, but for his effortless, almost rebellious confidence.
A Moment of Pure Brody
As Brody stepped up to the podium, he nonchalantly spit out his gum and tossed it to his partner, Georgina Chapman, in a casual yet symbolic act — as if shedding the last mundane moment before stepping into Hollywood history. But the night’s most striking moment came toward the end of his acceptance speech, when the Academy attempted to play him off with music. "I’m wrapping up, please turn the music off," Brody asserted, commanding the room. "I’ve done this before. Thank you. It’s not my first rodeo, but I will be brief." And he meant it. The Brutalist star delivered a speech that was as reflective as it was profound.
Brody, who first won an Oscar 21 years ago for The Pianist, spoke with an air of wisdom, reflecting on the fleeting nature of success in Hollywood.
"Acting is a very fragile profession. It looks very glamorous, and at certain moments it is," he said. "But the one thing that I’ve gained having the privilege to come back here is to have some perspective. No matter where you are in your career, no matter what you’ve accomplished, it can all go away. And I think what makes this night most special is the awareness of that, and the gratitude that I have to still do the work that I love."
For Brody, winning a second Oscar is not just about recognition — it’s about longevity. He sees it as "a chance to begin again," emphasizing his hope that his career will continue to evolve over the next two decades.
A Career Defined by Powerful Roles
Both of Brody’s Oscar-winning performances center on survivors of war and persecution. In The Pianist, he portrayed Władysław Szpilman, a Polish-Jewish pianist struggling to survive the Holocaust. In The Brutalist, he takes on the role of László Tóth, a Hungarian architect who flees to the United States, only to find himself entangled in a high-stakes commission for a wealthy businessman.
"I’m here once again to represent the lingering traumas and the repercussions of war and systematic oppression, and of antisemitism and racism and othering," Brody stated. "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."
A Historic Milestone
Brody now stands among an exclusive group of actors who have won Best Actor twice — a list that includes cinema greats like Spencer Tracy, Jack Nicholson, Dustin Hoffman, and Anthony Hopkins. Only Daniel Day-Lewis has surpassed this milestone, winning the award three times. Had Chalamet won, he would have broken Brody’s long-standing record as the youngest recipient of the Best Actor award. Instead, Brody remains the record holder, having won at age 29 for The Pianist.
A24’s Big Night
The Brutalist, produced by A24, proved to be one of the night’s biggest winners. The ambitious, three-and-a-half-hour epic, made on a modest $10 million budget, secured a total of 10 nominations and took home three Oscars — Best Actor, Best Cinematography, and Best Original Score.
As Brody left the stage, a ovation followed — a sign not just of respect for his performance, but for his ability to remind Hollywood why he remains a force to be reckoned with.
This wasn’t just another win. It was a statement. And Adrien Brody made sure everyone heard it.
