Kieran Culkin’s Hilarious SAG Awards Speech: What Did He Say That Left Everyone Laughing?

Kieran Culkin's SAG Awards acceptance speech stole the show at the 2025 edition of the prestigious awards ceremony. The speech was equal parts chaotic, heartfelt, and downright funny. Accepting the award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role for his work in A Real Pain on February 23, 2025, at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, the 42-year-old actor delivered a rambling, off-the-cuff moment that had the audience—and the internet—buzzing. From roasting Adrien Brody to gushing over his wife and kids, here’s everything Kieran said that made his acceptance speech one of the night’s most unforgettable highlights.

What Did Kieran Culkin Say About the SAG Award’s Weight?

Kieran kicked off his speech with a fixation on the trophy itself, joking about its heft. “Thank you SAG-AFTRA for this incredibly heavy award,” he began, setting the tone for his playful ramble. He quipped, “I don’t think there’s any way anyone can hold this for 45 seconds,” before imagining a fictional meeting of actors designing the heaviest award possible to flex their importance. His obsession with the statue’s weight became a running gag, with outlets like TMZ noting how it derailed his intended thank-yous—yet somehow made the moment even more endearing.

Why Did Kieran Culkin Call Out Adrien Brody?

One of the speech’s standout moments was Kieran’s unexpected jab at Adrien Brody. “Which is the allotted time, Adrien Brody—45 seconds,” he teased, referencing Brody’s reputation for lengthy acceptance speeches (like his heartfelt Golden Globes moment earlier that year). The camera caught Brody, nominated for The Brutalist, laughing in the audience, and Kieran quickly backtracked: “There was no reason to take that shot. I love you, it’s a joke. You take your time. Lord knows I will.” The playful dig, covered by Variety and The Hollywood Reporter, showed Kieran’s knack for blending humor with camaraderie.

Who Did Kieran Culkin Thank in His Speech?

Amid the chaos, Kieran squeezed in some heartfelt gratitude. He gave a shoutout to A Real Pain writer-director Jesse Eisenberg, marveling at how Eisenberg cast him without an audition: “He thinks it’s normal, and I can’t even get into how annoyingly wrong he is.” He also thanked Jesse’s sister, Hallie Eisenberg, for suggesting him for the role, adding, “Thank you, Hallie, for putting my name in your stupid brother’s ear.” The sweetest moment came when he turned to his family, saying, “My wonderful, gorgeous, funny wife Jazz, I love you. Thank you for giving me my favorite people in the world,” referring to his kids, Kinsey, 5, and Wilder, 3. SheKnows and E! Online highlighted this as the speech’s emotional peak.

How Did Kieran Culkin Reflect on Winning the Award?

Despite the humor, Kieran let slip a rare sincere note: “Believe it or not, this actually means a lot to me. It’s hard to be sincere after that, or in general. It’s a huge honor.” He admitted to being unprepared, joking, “I haven’t said anything,” before rushing through his thanks as time ran out. People magazine noted how this vulnerability—paired with his comedic tangents—captured the essence of his charm, fresh off his Succession Emmy and Golden Globe wins.

What Made Kieran Culkin’s Speech Go Viral?

The speech’s viral appeal lay in its unpredictability. Clocking in at about two minutes, it was a rollercoaster of rambles, roasts, and rapid-fire thank-yous that left the audience in stitches. Posts on X praised his “sass” and “honesty,” with clips racking up views on YouTube. India Today called it “as chaotic as you’d expect,” while Just Jared dubbed it a “hilarious ramble.” Beating out nominees like Jonathan Bailey and Jeremy Strong, Kieran’s win—and his speech—cemented his status as an awards-season favorite heading into the Oscars.

Some Closing Thoughts:

Kieran Culkin’s 2025 SAG Awards speech was a masterclass in keeping it real—funny, messy, and straight from the heart. Whether he was roasting Adrien Brody, obsessing over the trophy’s weight, or melting hearts with his family tribute, he gave fans plenty to talk about.

As he rides this awards wave for A Real Pain, one thing’s clear: Kieran’s not just collecting statues—he’s collecting moments that’ll live on in highlight reels for years to come.

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