I give the ClassAct Award for the best thank you speech at the Oscars to Christopher Plummer.
The man is 82 years young. No wincing in pain as he rose from his seat. No creaky knees up the steps to the stage, as waves of affection from the hall broke across his shoulders. We see Max von Sydow and Queen Meryl beaming in his direction. He takes the statue and coos to it, “You’re only two years older than me, my darling. Where have you been all my life?”
Such longing. Such humor. Such self-effacement. A “pretend” private moment in front of the known world (which is what actors do for a living.) He had us at the start.
But then he lands another self-mocking blow. He turns from his faux private moment and confesses his actor’s vanity. “When I first emerged from my mother’s womb, I was already rehearsing my Academy thank-you speech. But it was so long ago, mercifully for you I’ve forgotten it.”
So nice of him to be concerned about our experience of his moment in the sun. (Well, why not? He’s an actor, giving a performance.)
And then comes the tell-tale sign that he has not forgotten to prepare for this moment. He is a great artist, actor and writer, and he links ‘forgetting’ to the next important point.
“But I haven’t forgotten who to thank. The Academy, of course, for this extraordinary honor, and my fellow nominees: Kenneth, Nick, Jonah, dear Max. I’m so proud to be in your company.”
I believe this is called the hook-and-eye technique, something Abraham Lincoln was also skilled at. Highly effective for spoken communication, as it builds a bridge and continues a theme from one point to the next.
One more bit of self-mockery. He declared, “ I would share this award with [his co-star] if I had any decency, but I don’t.” Another laugh from the enchanted crowd.
How wonderful that he took the time to craft these simple and intuitive remarks, rehearse them, and include the names of his fellow nominees. How remarkable that he could remember them at the age of 82. And notice that the audience gave him a spontaneous burst of applause when he rattled off the names of his competitors. Graciousness, even when rehearsed, moves the souls of men.
He went on to thank those who made the movie. He expressed pride in his daughter, and then awarded the Nobel Peace Prize to his wife for, “coming to my rescue every day of my life.”
The camera focused on her. She is beautiful, and made an expression as if to say, “Oh, don’t be silly.”
Such art. Such humanity. Such British lack of ostentation. Humble in victory. Acknowledgement of others. He made us glad that he won.
Such is the power of a tiny little speech.
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