It’s hard not to feel some affection – even love – for the Oscars, the biggest film industry awards ceremony. And this year is no exception. The 2008 Oscars will go down in history as the most highly anticipated award ceremony of all time, if only for the drama surrounding whether the event would go ahead at all.

And the Oscars wouldn’t be the Oscars without the stars’ dramatic acceptance speeches. With a 45 second deadline and an audience of more than a billion viewers, the pressure is on to make a big impression. Despite the excellent advice available some celebrities do just that…

Tissues at the ready…

1. Cuba Gooding Junior: 1997 Best Supporting Actor for Jerry Maguire (1996)

For pure enthusiasm and for making a long night slightly more bearable, Cuba’s declaration of love, “Everybody, I love you! I love you all!”, and his excited refusal to leave the stage once the music had started to play, is pure Oscar gold.

2. Sacheen Littlefeather on behalf of Marlon Brando: 1973 Best Actor for The Godfather (1972)

Definitely one of the most memorable, if bizarre, events in the Academy’s history. Marlon Brando’s refusal to attend the ceremony in protest of the misrepresentation of American Indians meant that young Sacheen Littlefeather was thrust into the lime-light when she was sent on his behalf to accept the award.

3. Tom Hanks: 1994 Best Actor for Philadelphia (1993)

Hank’s loving ode to his drama teacher as one of the finest gay Americans he had the good fortune to be associated with, unwittingly out-ed him to the world. You just couldn’t make it up.

4. Gwyneth Paltrow: 1999 Best Actress for Shakespeare in Love (1998)

For the tears and the sobbing, as well as the notably ill-fitting pink dress, Gwyneth’s gushing acceptance speech is unforgettable for all the wrong reasons. Mysteriously, this classic speech is rather hard to find online these days. Click here for footage of Gwyneth as Shakespeare in Love wins the stautette for Best Picture

5. James Cameron: 1998 Best Director for Titanic (1997)

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