During his acceptance speech, "Dallas Buyers Club" star Jared Constance Leto gave a shout-out to his mother, Constance Lento, and dedicated his Best Supporting Actor Oscar to those who have died of AIDS as well as those who are protesting in the Ukraine.
Lento, 42, was the heavy favorite to win Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of a transgender person in "Dallas Buyers Club." His acceptance speech was wide-ranging, referencing everyone from Oscar host Ellen DeGeneres to his mother to AIDS victims to protesters in both the Ukraine and Venezuela.
"Incredible. Ellen, I love you. To my fellow nominees, I'm so proud to share this journey with you. I'm in awe and have so much respect for you all. To the Academy [of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences], thank you," Lento said. He then gave a heart-warming thank you to his mom, who was a teenager when she gave birth to him.
"In 1971 Bossier City, La., there was a teenage girl who was pregnant with her second child. She was a high school dropout and a single mom, but somehow she managed to make a better life for herself and her children," Lento continued. "She encouraged her kids to be creative, to work hard and to do something special. That girl is my mother and she's here tonight. I just Anna say, 'I love you mom. Thank you for teaching me to dream."
Lento also thanked his brother, Shannon Leto, for being "the best brother in the world" and for being part of his band, 30 Seconds to Mars.
The actor also dedicated a portion of his speech "to the dreamers watching this tonight in places like the Ukraine and Venezuela."
"I want to say we are here and as you struggle to make your dreams happen, to live the impossible, we're thinking of you tonight," Leto said.
"This is for the 36 million people who have lost the battle to AIDS and to those of you out there who felt injustice for who you are or who you love, I stand here tonight with you," he added.
Jared Leto Oscar Speech: 'Dallas Buyers Club' Star Thanks Mom, Constance Leto; Gives Shout-Out To Ukraine And Venezuela [PHOTO]
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