On a recent episode of The Graham Norton Show, some of Hollywood’s biggest stars shared their Oscar memories. The chat show, known for its lively and entertaining conversations, delved into the past experiences of actors such as Eddie Redmayne, Olivia Colman, Emma Stone, and Matthew McConaughey.
One memorable story came from Ian McKellen, who revealed a lucky tradition from the Lord of the Rings set in New Zealand. McKellen explained that every cast member received a piece of green stone, called punami, carved into the shape of a pendant. The belief was that wearing this stone would bring luck and ensure a return to New Zealand. McKellen humorously recounted how on the night of the Oscars, everyone from New Zealand was wearing their punamis, only for Maggie Smith to question McKellen about his necklace on the red carpet. Unfortunately, McKellen didn’t win that night, and when he later crossed paths with Smith, she playfully pointed out that the punami hadn’t worked.
The topic then moved to the early days of Eddie Redmayne‘s career, with his first Oscar nomination at the age of 13. Redmayne’s mother, who accompanied him to the awards ceremony, was more excited about meeting John Travolta than whether her son won or lost. Redmayne laughingly recalled how his mother’s sole goal for the evening was to meet Travolta, who she had seen in Saturday Night Fever 27 times. He joked that she didn’t care if he won or lost as long as she met her idol.
There was also a hilarious moment when Jennifer Lawrence joined Eddie Redmayne for an interview. Lawrence, known for her candid and funny personality, couldn’t help but talk about the head smack scene from their film The Theory of Everything. Despite winning an Academy Award for her performance, Lawrence humorously admitted that she often needs to be reassured and praised in order to perform well.
Helena Bonham Carter, always known for her eccentricities, shared a funny anecdote about attending the Oscars. She revealed a picture of herself looking less than thrilled on the red carpet for her nomination for The King’s Speech. Bonham Carter joked about her expression and confessed that she couldn’t even remember that night due to a series of mishaps and a birth control confusion.
Matthew McConaughey, who won the Oscar for Best Actor for Dallas Buyers Club, reflected on the realization that winning an Oscar might not be as fulfilling as one might think. He shared a profound moment where he looked at the award and thought about the dreamers who spend their entire lives chasing that recognition. McConaughey realized that if achieving such an accolade became the ultimate goal, it could potentially be a wasted life.
The conversation then shifted to Ariana DeBose, who recently won an Oscar for her role in West Side Story. DeBose expressed her excitement and gratitude for the win, making a joke about being sandwiched between two other Oscar winners. The discussion highlighted the rapid rise and surreal experiences that come with winning such a prestigious award.
Emma Stone, who won an Oscar for La La Land, humorously recounted how she had always dreamed of winning an Academy Award when she was growing up. Stone even made a PowerPoint presentation for her parents when she was 14, pleading her case to move to Los Angeles. Her parents eventually allowed her to pursue her dreams, leading to her eventual success and Oscar win.
These Oscar memories shared on The Graham Norton Show are a testament to the unique journeys and experiences of each actor in the entertainment industry. It’s truly inspiring to hear their stories and see the camaraderie that exists among these talented individuals. The chat show continues to provide a platform for both heartfelt and entertaining conversations, leaving viewers eagerly awaiting the next star-studded episode.
