The 2025 Academy Awards were filled with memorable moments, but one of the most touching exchanges came when Hollywood legend Goldie Hawn and Spider-Man star Andrew Garfield took the stage together. The duo, presenting the awards for Best Animated Film and Best Animated Short, shared a blend of humor and heartfelt emotion that left the audience smiling.
A Playful On-Stage Moment
As the pair prepared to announce the winners, Hawn, 79, paused and turned to Garfield with a playful quip. “OK, sweetheart, can you read that? I can’t read that,” she joked, adding, “I’m completely blind. I mean, I am! Cataracts.” The lighthearted moment drew laughter from the crowd, showcasing Hawn’s enduring charm and wit.
The following day, a representative for Hawn clarified to CNN that the Oscar-winning actress was joking and that her vision is perfectly fine. Cataracts, a common condition that can lead to blindness if untreated, are easily corrected with surgery, but Hawn’s humorous remark was purely for comedic effect.
Garfield, ever the gentleman, quickly stepped in to assist, saying, “OK, I’ve got you,” before announcing the winner for Best Animated Short Film, Flow, a poignant Latvian production.
A Tribute to Joy and Comfort
Earlier in the evening, Garfield took a moment to express his gratitude to Hawn for the joy she brought to his late mother, Linda, who passed away from pancreatic cancer in 2019. “Can I tell you something?” Garfield began, his voice filled with emotion. “There’s someone who gave my mother, during her life, the most joy and the most comfort. Tonight, I feel very lucky because I get to thank that person from the bottom of my heart. That person is Goldie Hawn.”
Hawn, visibly moved, responded warmly, “Thank you, sweetie. That really touches me.” The exchange highlighted the profound impact Hawn’s work has had on audiences worldwide, transcending generations.
Lessons in Grief and Love
Garfield’s heartfelt words echoed sentiments he shared during an October 2024 appearance on CNN’s All There Is with Anderson Cooper podcast. Reflecting on his grief, Garfield explained how losing his mother reshaped his perspective on life. “The longing and the grief—fully inhabiting it and feeling it—is the only way I can really feel close to her again,” he said.
He also spoke about the bittersweet nature of life after loss. “I know for a fact that this is a short life, and the things that mattered before don’t matter anymore. Things can taste much sweeter now because of the sorrow I’ve felt, and they can taste much more bitter, too.”
A Night of Connection and Celebration
The 2025 Oscars not only celebrated cinematic achievements but also the deep connections forged through art and shared experiences. Goldie Hawn and Andrew Garfield’s on-stage moments—filled with humor, gratitude, and vulnerability—reminded viewers of the power of storytelling and the enduring bonds it creates.
For those who missed the live broadcast, clips of Hawn and Garfield’s presentation and Garfield’s tribute are available on the Oscars’ official website and social media channels.