Adrien Brody earned his second Academy Award for Best Actor on Sunday, securing the honor for his role as a visionary Hungarian architect in The Brutalist. With this win, Brody solidified his place as one of Hollywood’s most captivating performers. He took home the Oscar at the 97th Academy Awards for his portrayal of Lázló Tóth, a man who escapes the horrors of the Holocaust and journeys to the United States in search of the American Dream. The film covers 30 years in Tóth’s life, depicting his unorthodox architectural designs that challenged societal norms and his tireless pursuit of artistic integrity.
In his acceptance speech, Brody acknowledged the glamorous aspects of his career, but also shared a deeper perspective. “It looks very glamorous and in 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.” He further reflected on the fleeting nature of success, stating, “No matter where you are in your career, no matter what you’ve accomplished, it can all go away.” This understanding made the moment all the more significant for him.
Brody, now the 11th actor to win two Best Actor Oscars, also took a moment to address societal issues during his speech. He spoke out against antisemitism and racism, highlighting the lingering trauma caused by war and oppression. “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,” he said. “I pray for a healthier and happier and more inclusive world.” He continued, urging the audience to heed the lessons of history, “If the past can teach us anything, it’s a reminder to not let hate go unchecked.”
Brody triumphed over fellow nominees Timothée Chalamet for A Complete Unknown, Colman Domingo for Sing Sing, Ralph Fiennes for Conclave, and Sebastian Stan for The Apprentice. The Brutalist, which earned 10 Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, is a sweeping three-and-a-half-hour postwar epic directed by Brady Corbet. Alongside Brody, the film features performances by Felicity Jones and Guy Pearce.
Earlier this year, Brody won Best Actor at the 78th British Academy Film Awards for The Brutalist, where he spoke about the film’s powerful relevance to today’s divided world. “It speaks to the need for all of us to share in the responsibility of how we want others to be treated and how we want to be treated by others,” he said, emphasizing that there is no room for antisemitism or racism.
Brody’s first Academy Award came in 2003 for his role in The Pianist. The 22-year gap between his Oscar wins is the second longest in history, just behind Anthony Hopkins’ 29-year gap between Silence of the Lambs and The Father. Beyond The Pianist, Brody is known for his roles in The Grand Budapest Hotel, The Darjeeling Limited, and Midnight in Paris.
For Brody, his role in The Brutalist echoes his performance in The Pianist, in which he also portrayed a Jewish artist struggling to survive during WWII. The new role further strengthens his legacy as a talented actor with a deep connection to themes of resilience and artistic expression.
