Scandalous Moments from Award Shows That Rocked the Industry

#29: Adrien Brody and Halle Berry’s Impromptu Kiss

When: 75th Academy Awards, 2003

The 2003 Oscars had its fair share of eyebrow-raising moments, most of which revolved around The Pianist. While the film’s director, Roman Polanski, won Best Director, his absence due to his controversial past added a layer of awkwardness to the evening. However, Adrien Brody’s post-win actions truly stole the spotlight.

Becoming the youngest Best Actor winner at just 29, Brody’s exuberance led him to do something unexpected: he grabbed presenter Halle Berry, planting a surprise kiss on her lips. Berry, who had won the previous year, later admitted on Watch What Happens Live that she was utterly bewildered at that moment, questioning, “What the f— is happening right now?”