The ten funniest Oscars speeches we've ever seen

Oscars speeches can be a bit of a snooze-fest, with actors thanking everyone from their agents, to their parents, to their spiritual gurus, to their pets...you get the picture.

Here are some of our favourite acceptance speeches from over the years that have stood the test of time, where infectious enthusiasm, pithy one-liners and exuberant giddiness have taken centre stage.

Sandra Bullock - The Blind Side, 2010

"Did I really earn this or did I just wear you all down?", has to be the most killer way to open an acceptance speech. Kudos to Sandra Bullock.

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Meryl Streep - The Iron Lady, 2012

Meryl Streep, who holds the record for the most Academy Award nominations of any actor, played up her reputation while collecting the gong for The Iron Lady in 2012.

"When they called my name, I had this feeling I could hear half of America going, 'Oh no. Come on... Her, again?' You know.", she joked, before adding with a dismissive flick of her hand: "But, whatever".

Kim Basinger - L.A. Confidential, 1997

Rather than risk forgetting anyone on her list, Kim Basigner hilariously covered all bases with the opening of her Oscars speech while collecting the best supporting actress award for her performance in L.A. Confidential.

"I just want to thank everybody I've ever met in my entire life."

Fair play, Kim.

Robin Williams - Good Will Hunting, 1998

The late, great Robin Williams was typically wry and humorous while picking up the best supporting actor Academy Award for Good Will Hunting.

He topped off a wonderful speech with a tribute to his father, saying: "Most of all, I want to thank my father, up there, the man who when I said I wanted to be an actor, he said, 'Wonderful. Just have a back-up profession like welding.'"

Sally Field - Place in the Heart, 1985

Sally Field was so overcome with joy after being named best actress at the 1985 Oscars for Place in the Heart that she uttered the famous words :"I haven't had an orthodox career and I wanted more than anything to have your respect.

"The first time I didn't feel it, but this time I feel it and I can't deny the fact that you like me - right now, you like me!", she said with feeling.

It was honest, funny and just downright adorable. More of this sort of thing please!

Julia Roberts - Erin Brockovich, 2000

Julia Roberts wasn't about to be rushed off the stage will accepting the best actress Oscar for Erin Brockovich. While in the midst of doling out a whole load of thank yous, she looked down at the orchestra conductor, who is in charge of politely ushering people off stage, and said: "Stick man I see you!", before bursting into laughter and exclaiming "I love it up here!"

"I love the world, I'm so happy. Thank you!", she added.

Roberto Benigni - Life is Beautiful, 1999

An exuberant Roberto Benigni shouted his acceptance speech while collecting the foreign language film award for Life is Beautiful at the top of his lungs and his euphoria is irresistible.

"I would like to thank my parents in Vergaio, a little village in Italy. They gave me the biggest gift: poverty", he joked.

Cate Blanchett - Blue Jasmine, 2014

A simultaneously gracious and amusing Cate Blanchett singled out her fellow nominees for praise and lighthearted jabs while collecting the best actress for Blue Jasmine in 2014, before addressing "those in the industry who are still foolishly clinging to the idea that female films with women at the centre are niche experiences.

"They are not, audiences want to see them and in fact, they earn money", she added to cheers from the audience.

Pure class.

Cuba Gooding Jr - Jerry Maguire, 1997

Cuba Gooding Jr's epic speech while accepting the supporting actor award for Jerry Maguire has gone down in the annals for sheer boundless joy and enthusiasm. His sustained speech carried on well after the house band attempted to play him off the stage, and in fact the music only ramps up his delivery.

Melissa Leo – The Fighter, 2011

A visibly shocked Melissa Leo picked up the award for best supporting actress for The Fighter in 2011, saying "wow" over and over again before saying: "I'm just shaking in my boots here."

"I am kind of speechless. Golly, there's people up there too," she continued gazing upwards at the auditorium, before adding famously: "When I watched Kate two years ago it looked so f**king easy" before exclaiming "Oops!"

See all of our Oscars predictions here.

Watch The 90th Academy Awards on RTÉ2 on Monday at 9:30pm.

The ten funniest Oscars speeches we've ever seen

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