Hollywood legends Goldie Hawn and Andrew Garfield brought both humor and heartfelt emotion to the 2025 Academy Awards held on March 2 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. The duo was presenting the awards for Best Animated Feature and Best Animated Short Film, but it was Hawn's candid admission about her eyesight appealing for Garfield's help reading the teleprompter, coupled with her signature wit, which captivated the audience.
During the presentation, the 79-year-old Oscar winner turned to Garfield, asking, "OK. Sweetheart, can you read what’s projected? I can’t read it." With the audience laughing along, she joked, "I’m completely blind. I mean, I am! Cataracts." This humorous interlude drew both surprise and sympathy from the star-studded audience, who knew the stakes of live performances.
Garfield, 41, addressed Hawn's quip with grace, saying, "I've got you," before taking over the duties of announcing the winner of the Latvian animated film, Flow. Although it became clear this was part of their scripted act, Hawn’s openness about her cataracts marked the first time she so publicly discussed her health condition, which affects many older adults. A spokesperson later clarified her vision was intact, but it added layers to her on-stage persona.
Before Hawn's amusing health disclosure, Garfield had taken the opportunity to express his gratitude to her for the joy she had brought to his late mother, Lynn, who died of pancreatic cancer back in 2019. “Can I tell you something?” he asked, getting emotional as he set up his heartfelt tribute. “There’s someone, there’s a person who gave my mother during her life the most joy, the most comfort, and tonight, I feel very lucky, because I get to thank... Goldie Hawn.”
Hawn, visibly touched, responded with emotion saying, "Thank you, sweetie, that's really touches me." Garfield continued to share how Hawn's extensive body of work and ability to bring joy through film had created lasting memories for him and his family. The warmth of his tribute and Hawn's heartfelt response highlighted the genuine human connections often lost behind the glitz and glamour of Hollywood.
Garfield's retrospective comments came from deeply personal reflections he’s shared since the loss of his mother. “For me, grief is unexpressed love. It’s like we all leave this life with an unfinished song,” he’d once noted. His willingness to reveal this vulnerability, especially on such a public platform, was commendable, emphasizing the nuanced relationship everyone shares with their loved ones.
Hawn's humor about her condition—cataracts are known for clouding vision and requiring surgery—was both lighthearted and punctuated with seriousness, drawing attention to important health conversations. Despite the light nature of her delivery, it’s evident this is more than just banter; cataracts are common but can severely impact daily life.
Before concluding the award presentation, the pair seamlessly handed out accolades, with Garfield describing Hawn as someone who has brought countless smiles, stating, “You’ve lifted our spirits and made us feel like everything was right with the world, over and over again.”
While the overall sentiment of Hawn and Garfield’s presentation was meant to be uplifting, the emotional undertones made for memorable television, especially on the live broadcast watched by millions and hopped from news segment to news segment.
Garfield described feeling incredibly fortunate to share the stage with Hawn, noting, "I can feel my mother smiling at us during this moment." His ability to pivot from bestowing praise to managing the delivery of lines alongside Hawn showcased both his character and genuine appreciation for the industry’s storied past. Their exchanges emphasized not just their individual careers but also how intertwined lives can be through film artistry.
The 2025 Academy Awards ceremony spotlighted many such touching expressions, and Hawn and Garfield's special segment became just one of the treasured highlights of the evening. Wrap this all up, and you have two beloved actors being honest with audiences about life's challenges—a reminder of how important laughter and love remain even amid heaviness.
Overall, the loving exchange between Hawn and Garfield stood out not just for the jokes but also for delivering heartfelt valor under bright lights. It served as both laughter and reflection for viewers globally, who saw their humanity amid award-format constraints, proving yet again the magic of cinema and those who bring it to life.