Adrien Brody stunned the Hollywood establishment Sunday by becoming the youngest man to win the best actor Oscar for his performance in "The Pianist."
The 29-year-old Brody also became the first man to best four previous Oscar winners to take the coveted statuette.
The New Yorker's portrayal of Polish pianist who uses his music to survive the Holocaust earned the relatively unknown Brody critical praise and finally Hollywood's top honor.
Brody, who had to quiet the orchestra to give such a long acceptance speech, took the opportunity to speak about the war in Iraq.
He said making the film, "made me very aware of the sadness and the reprecussions" of war.
"Whoever you believe in, whether it is God or Allah, may he watch over you and let's pray for a swift resolution," he said to loud applause.
He also made special reference to an old friend who is in the army in Kuwait, "I hope you and your boys make it home real soon."
Brody, who accepted the award to a standing ovation, began his speech with a long kiss on the lips for stunned presenter Halle Berry.
Brody, who accepted the award to a standing ovation, began his speech with a long kiss on the lips for stunned presenter Halle Berry.
"There comes a time in life where everything seems to make sense and this is not one of those times," he said. Except for the "insominia and sudden panic attacks, this has been an amazing, amazing journey."
The actor also paid tribute to the man on whose life the film is based, Wladyslaw Szpilman.