Renee Zellweger Thanks Immigrant Parents & Judy Garland In Oscars Acceptance Speech

This year’s Academy Awards have had a number of memorable acceptance speeches, from Brad Pitt‘s criticism of the Senate GOP, to Joaquin Phoenix‘s speech which dealt with such wide-ranging issues as cancel culture and milk consumption. Renee Zellweger, who won Best Actress for her portrayal of Judy Garland in the biopic Judy, also had a memorable acceptance speech, in which she gave thanks to a large number of people, including her immigrant parents, Garland, and Serena and Venus Williams.

Zellweger began the speech by thanking her fellow nominees. “I’ve said it before, and I’m going to say it again. Cynthia (Erivo), Scarlett (Johansson), Charlize (Theron), Saoirse (Ronan), I have to say, boy, it is an honor to be considered in your company,” said the 50-year-old actress. Soon after, Zellweger thanked her parents. “My immigrant folks who came here with nothing but each other and a belief in the American dream. How about this?” she said while holding up her award.

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Zellweger then gave a tribute to the heroes which give many inspiration. “I have to say that this past year of conversations celebrating Judy Garland across… generations and across cultures has been a really cool reminder that our heroes unite us,” said the actress before specifically namedropping Neil Armstrong, Sally Ride, Serena and Venus Williams, Bob Dylan, and Martin Scorsese. The actress then specifically called Judy Garland a hero, saying, “No, Judy Garland did not receive this [award] in her time. I am certain that this moment is an extension of the celebration of her legacy that began on our film set.”

The Bridget Jone’s Diary actress has won an Oscar before – in 2003, Zellweger won Best Supporting Actress for her role in Cold Mountain. Zellweger is the seventh woman in history to have Academy Awards for both Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress, joining such actresses as Meryl Streep, Cate Blanchett and Ingrid Bergman.

Watch the full acceptance speech below.