In a memorable moment at the 97th Academy Awards, Andrew Garfield reduced the crowd and his co-presenter, Goldie Hawn, to tears. The tearful exchange happened when the two stepped on stage to present the award for Best Animated Feature.
Garfield, who lost his mother to cancer in 2019, paused during the presentation to share a heartfelt message for Hawn. “Goldie, can I tell you something quickly?” he began. “There is a person who gave my mother the most joy and comfort during her life — and tonight, I feel very lucky because I get to thank that person from the bottom of my heart. That person is Goldie Hawn,” he said, prompting resounding “awws” from the audience.
Hawn, visibly moved, struggled to hold back tears as Garfield expressed his gratitude. The “Death Becomes Her” star, now 79, has long been celebrated for her radiant performances that bring joy to audiences worldwide. Garfield acknowledged this, saying, “You’ve made us feel it all was right with the world, over and over again.”
In response, Hawn expressed her own gratitude, reflecting on her storied career. “I was so lucky [to] make movies… and making people laugh. And maybe some didn’t, but that’s okay,” she said. Hawn, who won her first Oscar in 1970 for Cactus Flower and was nominated again in 1981 for Private Benjamin, later leaned on Garfield to help read the teleprompter, jokingly attributing her difficulty to cataracts.
A Moment That Divided Viewers
The touching exchange quickly went viral, sparking mixed reactions online. While many fans hailed it as the most beautiful moment of the night, some critics described it as “cringeworthy” and overly sentimental. “Andrew Garfield’s heartfelt tribute to Goldie Hawn is everything. What a beautiful moment!” one social media user commented, while another wrote, “It was cringeworthy tbh.”
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Garfield, who has previously discussed his sadness, said that accepting his mother’s passing has been a deep and common process. “One of the most healing and reassuring, soothing moments I’ve had in my processing of my grief is realising that this has been the way it’s been since time immemorial,” he added, reflecting on the loss.
Highlights and Controversies at the 2025 Oscars
The events were otherwise packed with other salient moments, both heart-wrenching and controversial. People were outraged over the exclusion of actress Michelle Trachtenberg from the “In Memoriam” segment, and Miley Cyrus generated buzz over her bleached eyebrows on the red carpet. Host Conan O’Brien held no punches, mocking several stars, and Morgan Freeman celebrated Gene Hackman in the tribute segment.
Meanwhile, the red carpet saw a mix of dazzling outfits and some that critics quickly labeled as the worst-dressed. Kylie Jenner and Timothée Chalamet also made headlines, and they were seen sharing a kiss at the event.
As the night wrapped up, the moment between Garfield and Hawn remained a defining highlight — a rare display of genuine emotion amidst the glamour of Hollywood.
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