Viola Davis took home her first Oscar Sunday night, winning best supporting actress for her role in Fences. After getting nominated two other times for an Oscar, Davis was clearly emotional during her acceptance speech.
“There’s one place that all the people with the greatest potential are gathered—and that’s the graveyard,” Davis said. “People ask me all the time, what kind of stories do you want to tell? And I say, ‘Exhume those bodies. Exhume those stories.’ We are the only profession to celebrate what it means to live a life. So here’s to August Wilson, who exhumed—and exalted—ordinary people.”
.@violadavis #Oscars acceptance speech: Artists “the only profession that celebrate what it means to live a life” https://t.co/c2xXDhVcrK pic.twitter.com/EPZ1n49d69
— Good Morning America (@GMA) February 27, 2017
After giving a nod to Wilson—the playwright and screenwriter of Fences —Davis continued to thank other people in her life, including Denzel Washington who acted alongside her.
“And oh captain, my captain, Denzel Washington,” she said.
Just as Davis gave praise to Washington, the cameras shifted to show him welling up.
GMA/Twitter
Washington wasn’t the only one emotionally affected by Davis’ speech. Viewers on Twitter shared their feelings about Davis’ heart-wrenching speech—and the room couldn’t keep it together.
GMA/Twitter
GMA/Twitter
Ok, but @violadavis once again brought tears to my eyes during her speech during an awards show #Oscars
— Tasha (@TashaGutierrez1) February 27, 2017
Viola Davis sure knows how to deliver an acceptance speech. #Oscars
— Cheryl 🇨🇦 (@Randommckim) February 27, 2017
SOB-BING. Thank you @violadavis for your words and your art. Congratulations on your well deserved win. #Oscars
— Merrin Dungey (@RealMerrinD) February 27, 2017
Congratulations to the amazing @violadavis on her win for best supporting actress at #Oscars ! #FencesMovie 👏 #beautypersonified pic.twitter.com/W760kPC90L
— Shereé Whitfield (@IamSheree) February 27, 2017
Aside from best supporting actress, the film Fences is nominated for best picture, best actor (Washington), and best adapted screenplay (August Wilson).
