Renée Zellweger Makes Her Oscars Comeback With Judy Win & Celebrates the Ways ‘Our Heroes Unite Us’

Closing out the 92nd Annual Academy Awards on Sunday night, Renée Zellweger rounded out a successful awards season and a successful comeback with a win for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her portrayal of Judy Garland in Rupert Gold’s Judy.

In her acceptance speech, Zellweger talked at length about how much it meant to her to get to play Garland and that the award was another chance to celebrate the legendary performer’s legacy.

“Judy Garland did not receive this honor in her time,” Zellweger said. “I am certain that this moment is an extension of the celebration of her legacy that began on our film set and is also representative of the fact that her legacy of unique exceptionalism and inclusivity and generosity of spirit, it transcends any one artistic achievement. Ms. Garland, you are certainly among the heroes who unite and define us and this is certainly for you. I am so grateful.”

She went on to note how certain cultural heroes, Garland included, have a profound unifying power for those of us who admire their work: “This past year of conversations celebrating Judy Garland across generations and across cultures has been a really cool reminder that our heroes unite us,” Zellweger said. “The best among us, who inspire us to find the best in ourselves, when they unite us, when we look to our heroes, we agree, you know? And that matters.”