What Kieran Culkin actually said during censored Oscars 2025 speech
Kieran Culkin has quickly become a fan favorite with his down-to-earth attitude, and being bleeped during his Oscar-winning speech you can see why.
The 42-year-old was nominated for his first Oscar at last night's 97th Academy Awards ceremony (March 2), fending off fierce competition to take home a statuette for his supporting performance in Jesse Eisenberg's A Real Pain.
But while accepting his award he accidentally slipped an f-bomb in there as he applauded his Succession co-star Jeremy Strong. Take a look:
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Macauley Culkin's little brother said when ABC News censored his speech: "He's right, by the way [speaking of Robert Downey Jr and what he said about Strong before announcing the award]. Jeremy, you're amazing in The Apprentice. I love your work, it’s f**king great."
Before partially covering his mouth.
He then proceeded to thank all his nearest and dearest, before telling a 'really quick story' about his wife.
Culkin said: "I want to really, I love you Jazz - this is, I have to thank my wife, Jazz for absolutely everything, for giving me my favorite people in the world. This is, please don't play the music, because I want to tell a really quick story about Jazz.
"About a year ago, I was on the stage like this, and I very stupidly publicly said that I won a third kid from her, because she said, If I won the award, I would, she would give me the kid.
"Turns out she said that because she didn't think I was going to win, and people came up to her and were like, you know, really annoying her... I think, I think it got to her."
He continued: "But anyway, after the show, we're walking through a parking lot. She's holding the Emmy, we're trying to find our car. Emily, you were there, so you're a witness. And she goes, 'Oh, God, I did say that, I guess I owe you a third kid'.
"And I turned to her, and I said, 'Really, I want four', and she turned to me, I swear to God, this happened - It was just over a year ago. She said, 'I will give you four when you win an Oscar'.
"I held my hand out, she shook it, and I have not brought it up once until just now. You remember that, honey? You do? Okay."
Before adding: "Then I just have this to say to you, Jazz, love of my life, ye' of little faith... no pressure, I love you. I'm really sorry I did this again, and let's get cracking on those kids, what do you say? I love you."
Wildest moments at the 2025 Oscars
Conan O’Brien takes aim at Donald Trump and Drake
Late night host O’Brien had jaws on the floor with several of his gags - after he’d graphically emerged from a nude Demi Moore’s body in a skit referencing The Substance.
In his opening monologue, he hit out at Emilia Perez star Karla Sofía Gascón, whose controversial tweets were widely believed to have torpedoed her awards chances.
He quipped: “Anora uses the ‘F-word’ 479 times - that’s three more than the record set by Karla Sofía Gascón’s publicist.”
In a later dig on Trump’s disastrous meeting with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, he said: “Anora's doing great tonight. Two awards. I think Americans are finally ready for someone to stand up to a powerful Russian.”
For context, Anora sees a stripper face off with a Russian oligarch and his wife after a shotgun wedding with his son.
Most controversially, O’Brien said around the halfway point: "Well, we're halfway through the show, which means it's time for Kendrick Lamar to come out and call Drake a pedophile."
This, of course, a reference to Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime show, where he performed Drake diss track ‘Not Like Us’.
Morgan Freeman gives heartbreaking Gene Hackman tribute, but In Memoriam segment causes controversy
Freeman was on hand to introduce the In Memoriam segment, and delivered an emotional tribute to Gene Hackman, who was found dead in his home alongside his wife Betsy Arakawa and his dog last week.
He said: “This week, our community lost a giant and I lost a dear friend. Like everyone who ever shared a scene with him I learned he was a generous performer and a man whose gifts elevated everyone's work
“He received two Oscars but more importantly he won the hearts of film-lovers all over the world.”
He says Hackman once told him: "I don't think about legacy, I just hope people remember me as someone who tried to do good work."
Freeman added: "Gene, you'll be remembered for that and so much more. Rest in peace, my friend."
Controversially, Michelle Trachtenberg, who died last week, wasn’t mentioned in the In Memoriam segment.
Anora sweeps awards and Sean Baker makes history
Anora, which stars Mikey Madison, was nominated for six awards and took home five, including Best Picture.
Its director Sean Baker has now become the first person ever to win four Oscars in one night: for Best Editing, Best Original Screenplay, Best Director and Best Picture.
He said in his acceptance speech for Best Original Screenplay: "I want to thank the sex worker community - they have shared their stories, they have shared their life experiences with me over the years.
"My deepest respect, thank you, I share this with you."
Madison also picked up the gong for Best Actress for the film.
Meanwhile, Adrien Brody took home Best Actor for his performance as a visionary architect who survives the Holocaust in The Brutalist. And Zoe Saldaña made history by becoming just the third Latina to win Best Supporting Actress, and the first American of Dominican origin to win the award.
Topics: Kieran Culkin, Oscars, Macaulay Culkin
Joe Yates