Adrien Brody Subtly Addresses That 2003 Oscars Kiss with Halle Berry

Mar. 15, 2025

Adrien Brody; Adrien Brody and Halle Berry on March 23, 2003.Photo:Todd Owyoung/NBC via Getty; TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty

Todd Owyoung/NBC via Getty; TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty

Adrien Brodyis addressing the moment when he kissed an unsuspectingHalle Berryonstage at the 2003 Oscars.

In a wide-ranging interview withVariety, Brody, nominated this year for his performance inThe Brutalist, recalled winning his Best Actor Oscar forThe Pianistback in 2003 when he was 29.

Brody famously kissed Berry, the award’s presenter,before giving his acceptance speechduring the live ceremony. “I bet they didn’t tell you that was in the gift bag,” he joked while looking at Berry, who wiped her lip and appeared caught off guard.

“We live in a very conscious time, which is a wonderful thing,” Brody, 51, toldVariety. “And nothing that I ever do or have done or would’ve done is ever done with the intention of making anyone feel bad.”

Berry, 58, recently congratulated Brody on his Golden Globe win in January, commenting on his Instagrampost, “Congratulations my friend. You are truly one of one!”

Adrien Brody and Halle Berry at the Oscars on March 23, 2003.TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty

TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty

While onWatch What Happens Live with Andy Cohenin 2017, Berry was asked about the moment, saying it was “not planned” and “I knew nothing about it” beforehand.

“I was like, ‘What the f— is happening right now?’ That is what was going through my mind,” said Berry, who’dmade history with her Best Actress Oscar win the year prior. “And because I was there the year before and I know the feeling of being out of your body, I just f—ing went with it. But I was like, ‘What the f— is going on right now?’ "

When host Cohen asked Berry, “How was the kiss?” she replied with a laugh, “I don’t know — I was too focused on what the f— is going on right now! I don’t even know.”

Adrien Brody winning a Golden Globe on Jan. 5, 2025.Rich Polk/GG2025/Penske Media via Getty

Rich Polk/GG2025/Penske Media via Getty

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Reacting to his recent Oscar nomination in January, Brody wrote in a statement that it was meaningful after hitting “peaks and valleys” in his career.

“Thank you to all my peers and colleagues at theAcademy for this extraordinary honor. For almost four decades, I’ve experienced the peaks and valleys of being an artist. It’s given me perspective and a tremendous appreciation and respect for this moment,” he said, later adding, “Thank you for honoring us all with this recognition, I am only here through the support of many; I am truly humbled and will cherish this momentous occasion forever.”

source: people.com