Halle Berry Recreates Infamous Oscars Kiss With Adrien Brody On Red Carpet: ‘I Had To Pay Him Back’

Remember when Adrien Brody planted that huge kiss on Halle Berry as she was presenting him with his first Oscar for “The Pianist” at the 2003 Academy Awards that stocked the world? Well, it’s starting to feel like 2003 all over again! Ahead of the 2025 Academy Awards, Brody was in the middle of back-to-back interviews on the Oscars Red Carpet when Berry surprised him with a smooch of her own.

“That was one hell of a night for him, and for me as well. To be a part of his moment… tonight I had to pay him back,” Berry joked with Variety correspondent Marc Malkin. “I’ve seen him out at parties, but this is the first time since that night that I’ve seen him on the red carpet somewhere. He’s nominated this year. He deserved that.”

Adrien Brody Wins Best Actor At The 2025 Academy Awards

On March 2, Brody’s leading role as László Tóth in “The Brutalist” — which also won best original score and best cinematography — earned him an Oscar for best actor. The 51-year-old actor was nominated alongside Timothée Chalamet, Colman Domingo, Ralph Fiennes, and Sebastian Stan.

“I share this with my amazing partner, Georgina, who has not only reinvigorated my own self worth, but my sense of value and my values and her beautiful children, Daesh in India,” Brody said during his acceptance speech, according to E! News.

He also showed love to his parents Sylvia Plachy and Elliot Brody: “I have to thank my mom and dad, who are here as well. They’ve just created just such a strong foundation of respect and of kindness and a wonderful spirit, and they’ve given me the strength to pursue this dream.”

Halle Berry Presented James Bond Tribute At The 2025 Academy Awards

Shining bright like a diamond, Berry turned heads in a mirrored gown by Christian Siriano and a flipped-out bob, according to People. The Oscar-winning actress presented a musical tribute to the James Bond film franchise. The tribute included BLACKPINK’s Lisa, Margaret Qualley, Raye, and Doja Cat, who surprised everyone with her rendition of Marilyn Monroe’s “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend,” per E! News.

In 2002, Berry made history as the first Black woman to win best actress for her leading role in “Monster’s Ball,” directed by Lee Daniels. Over the years, Berry has been open about her disappointment that she remains the only Black actress to win the coveted category.

“I hope this year someone stands next to me,” Berry said on Trevor Noah’s “What Now?” podcast in
“This year, I hope it happens because I’m tired of occupying that space alone.”

She continued, “I knew it was bigger than me. I was, in that moment, [destined] to be a beacon of possibility. And I do think it served that purpose.”