In 1991, Joe Pesci was among one of the winners of an Oscar. During the 63rd annual Oscar award celebration. The Oscars, also known as the Academy Awards, awards actors and actresses for their artistic and technical merit in the American film industry.
The 1990 Martin Scorsese film GoodFellas had earned 6 nominations at the 63rd Academy Awards. Along with the win for Best Supporting Actor, they earned:
Best Picture
Best Adapted Screenplay
Best Film Ending
Best Director
Best Supporting Actress
Many Italians were nominated for awards for this film, including director Martin Scorsese, supporting actress Lorraine Bracco, writer Nicholas Pileggi for the original screenplay along with Martin Scorsese. Fellow Italian Francis Ford Coppola received a nomination for the best director as well, with The Godfather Part III also nominated for Best Picture.
Joe Pesci Wins Best Supporting Actor
Brenda Fricker presented the award for the best supporting actor at the 63rd annual Academy Awards in 1991. She begun her presentation by saying, “your skills contribute so much to our craft, because as you know, good acting is never easy. I am proud to say your names.”
From the nominees, three films had either Italian actors and/or were Italian-based movies. These movies were either written and directed by Italians or portrayed as Italian characters. The nominations were: Andy Garcia for the Godfather Part III, Al Pacino for Dick Tracey, and Joe Pesci for GoodFellas.
While many would give a long speech, Pesci took a much different approach. Shocked that he had won the award, he steps up to the podium and keeps it incredibly brief.
“It’s my privilege. Thank you.”
You can watch the clip of his acceptance speech here:
Many on the internet joke about how the speech was too long. Others said how it was so moving, they were in tears. Regardless of the thoughts about his acceptance speech, Pesci was honored with one of Hollywood's biggest awards, the Oscar.
AJ Forrisi
Assistant Editor for America Domani, AJ Forrisi is a Brooklyn-based writer and photographer. His work focuses on food, travel, sports, landscapes, and urban scenes. You can find him on Instagram @aj.photo.works.