Kieran Culkin received the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor at the 2025 Oscars on Sunday evening. While this win wasn’t surprising, Culkin’s acceptance speech took an unexpected turn.
The previous year’s Best Supporting Actor awardee, Robert Downey Jr., announced Culkin as the recipient for his remarkable performance in “A Real Pain.” Upon reaching the stage, Culkin drew attention by showering praise on his fellow nominee, Jeremy Strong from “The Apprentice,” setting the ABC censors on high alert.
“Thank you, Mr. Downey, for presenting me with this award. It holds special significance coming from you,” expressed Culkin upon receiving the accolade. He then proceeded to commend Jeremy Strong for his outstanding performance in “The Apprentice.” Culkin’s heartfelt admiration was evident, though his choice of words necessitated a swift self-interruption.
The ABC broadcast cut a whole line of Culkin’s speech in response, but they weren’t quite fast enough to mask the tell-tale “f-” sound for viewers at home.
Culkin didn’t let that slip-up stop him from delivering the rest of his speech, which included an anecdote about his wife of 12 years, Jazz Charton, with who he has two children. Apparently, Culkin wants to have at least two more children, and he made his desires known to all of the Academy and all of the Oscar viewers at home.
“I have to thank my wife Jazz, one of my favorite people in the world. Please don’t play the music, I have a really quick story about Jazz.” Kulkin began. “About a year ago I was on a stage like this, and I very stupidly, publicly said that I want a third kid from her. She said if I won the [Emmy] award, she would give me the kid. It turns out she said that because she didn’t think I was going to win.”
“After the show we were walking through the parking lot, she’s holding the Emmy, we’re trying to find our car,” Culkin continued. “And she goes, ‘Oh god, I did say that. I guess I owe you a third kid. I turned to her and I said, ‘Really, I want four.’ She turned to me, and I swear to god this happened, and 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 until just now. You remember that, honey? You do? I just have 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?”
At this point, the broadcast cut to a shot of Charton in the audience, who was laughing and jokingly shooting herself in the head with a finger gun. Girl, we feel for you. Good luck, babe! We hope Culkn will pay for the childcare.
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