Joaquin Phoenix has won his first ever Oscar at the 92nd Academy Awards and delivered a powerful speech about equality, animal rights and his brother, River Phoenix, who died in 1993.

A week after being praised for a Baftas acceptance speech in which he attacked “systemic racism”, the Joker star took home the trophy for Best Actor, beating out Adam Driver (Marriage Story), Antonio Banderas (Pain & Glory), Jonathan Pryce (The Two Popes) and Leonardo DiCaprio (Once Upon a Time in Hollywood).

“I’m full of so much gratitude right now,” he began. “I do not feel elevated above any of my fellow nominees because we share the same love – the love of film. This form of expression has given me the most extraordinary life. I don’t know what I would be without it.”

He continued: “The greatest gift it’s given me is the opportunity to use your voice for the voiceless. I’ve been thinking a lot about some of the frustrating issues that we are facing collectively and at times we feel or are made to feel that we champion different causes, but for me I see commonality. I think whether we’re talking about gender and inequality or racism or queer rights or indigenous rights or animal rights – we’re talking about the fight against injustice.”

As Phoenix was applauded by the crowd, he said: “Don’t do that,” before continuing.

Oscars 2020: Best-dressed stars on the red carpet Show all 80 1 /80 Oscars 2020: Best-dressed stars on the red carpet Oscars 2020: Best-dressed stars on the red carpet Cynthia Erivo Cynthia Erivo blew a kiss as she posed in her futuristic white and silver Versace gown and Maria Tash jewellery. REUTERS Oscars 2020: Best-dressed stars on the red carpet Florence Pugh The Little Women star cracked a smile on the red carpet wearing a teal Louis Vuitton gown, a silver pendant necklace and Maria Tash earrings. Getty Images Oscars 2020: Best-dressed stars on the red carpet Margot Robbie The Bombshell actor added a burst of colour to her look with a bright red lip, donning a black, strapless Chanel gown with a purple jewel embossed on the front. REUTERS Oscars 2020: Best-dressed stars on the red carpet Kristen Wiig and Gal Gadot The Wonder Woman 1984 co-stars laughed as they posed together on the red carpet, Wiig in red and Gadot in black lace. AFP via Getty Images Oscars 2020: Best-dressed stars on the red carpet Laura Dern Laura Dern attended the Academy Awards with her mother, wearing a pink and black Armani gown. REUTERS Oscars 2020: Best-dressed stars on the red carpet Spike Lee Spike Lee paid tribute to the late Kobe Bryant with his Oscars outfit, wearing a purple blazer emblazoned with Bryant's basketball jersey number, 24. Getty Images Oscars 2020: Best-dressed stars on the red carpet Saoirse Ronan The Little Women star smiled as she had her Gucci dress adjusted on the red carpet. AFP via Getty Images Oscars 2020: Best-dressed stars on the red carpet Natalie Portman Natalie Portman wore a Dior dress for the Oscars embroidered with the names of female directors who were snubbed in the nominations. REUTERS Oscars 2020: Best-dressed stars on the red carpet Florence Pugh Pugh was all smiles as she and her mother walked the red carpet. AFP via Getty Images Oscars 2020: Best-dressed stars on the red carpet Cynthia Erivo The Harriet actor struck a powerful pose on the red carpet wearing a white and silver cut-out Versace gown. Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP Oscars 2020: Best-dressed stars on the red carpet Charlize Theron Theron attended the Academy Awards wearing an elegant black Dior gown, designed with a thigh-high split. Getty Images Oscars 2020: Best-dressed stars on the red carpet Gal Gadot The Wonder Woman star put on a glamorous display in an ethereal Givenchy gown, featuring a black lace, high-neck top and bubblegum-pink lace, layered skirt. Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP Oscars 2020: Best-dressed stars on the red carpet Brie Larson Captain Marvel herself looked every inch a superhero in a blush pink, sequinned Celine design, complete with a cape. Getty Images Oscars 2020: Best-dressed stars on the red carpet Kathy Bates and Rebel Wilson Kathy Bates wore a black and navy suit for the Oscars, posing alongside the golden-clad Rebel Wilson on the red carpet. AFP via Getty Images Oscars 2020: Best-dressed stars on the red carpet Tom Hanks The A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood actor looked sharp in a black tuxedo. REUTERS Oscars 2020: Best-dressed stars on the red carpet Margaret Qualley The Once Upon a Time in Hollywood actor chose to wear a stylish, black Chanel design on the red carpet. REUTERS Oscars 2020: Best-dressed stars on the red carpet Rooney Mara and Joaquin Phoenix Rooney Mara and Joaquin Phoenix smiled for the cameras, Mara in a black lace Alexander McQueen ensemble and Phoenix in his environmentally-conscious Stella McCartney suit. REUTERS Oscars 2020: Best-dressed stars on the red carpet Kristen Wiig and Gal Gadot Wiig matched the red carpet in a bright, scarlet design, while Gadot chose to wear a contrasting, two-tone dress for the Academy Awards. REUTERS Oscars 2020: Best-dressed stars on the red carpet Antonio Banderas The Oscar nominee looked dashing in a black tuxedo. AFP via Getty Images Oscars 2020: Best-dressed stars on the red carpet Sandy Powell and Christopher Peterson Costume designer Sandy Powell wore a suit autographed by several high-profile Hollywood figures, which she is planning on auctioning for charity. Powell attended the Oscars with fellow costume designer Christopher Peterson. REUTERS Oscars 2020: Best-dressed stars on the red carpet Adam Driver and Joanne Tucker Adam Driver, wearing a black tux, attended the Oscars with his wife, actor Joanne Tucker, who wore a white and black floral Oscar de la Renta gown, designed with practical pockets. REUTERS Oscars 2020: Best-dressed stars on the red carpet Lucy Boynton and Rami Malek Bohemian Rhapsody co-stars and couple Lucy Boynton and Rami Malek looked effortlessly stylish on the red carpet, Malek in an all-black Yves Saint Laurent ensemble and Boynton in a white and black Chanel dress with checkered sleeves. Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP Oscars 2020: Best-dressed stars on the red carpet Sunrise Coigney and Mark Ruffalo Actor Sunrise Coigney donned a fuchsia, ruffled gown for the Oscars, while her husband, Avengers: Endgame star Mark Ruffalo, looked suave in a black tuxedo. EPA Oscars 2020: Best-dressed stars on the red carpet Rita Wilson Actor and producer Rita Wilson appeared to mimic the Oscars statuette with her shimmering, gold Tom Ford number. Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP Oscars 2020: Best-dressed stars on the red carpet Colin Jost and Scarlett Johansson Saturday Night Live star Colin Jost dressed smartly in a black suit, while Scarlett Johansson looked radiant in a metallic, strapless Oscar de la Renta gown. Getty Images Oscars 2020: Best-dressed stars on the red carpet Timothee Chalamet Timothee Chalamet appeared to dress in a particularly casual manner for the Academy Awards, wearing a navy blue tracksuit by Stella McCartney. Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP Oscars 2020: Best-dressed stars on the red carpet Mahershala Ali and Amatus Sami-Karim Oscar winner Mahershala Ali opted for an all-black Zegna ensemble for the awards ceremony, while his wife, Amatus Sami-Karim, wore a lilac gown and white headpiece. REUTERS Oscars 2020: Best-dressed stars on the red carpet Lucy Boynton Lucy Boynton dressed elegantly for the red carpet, wearing a white and black Chanel gown with checkered, exaggerated sleeves. REUTERS Oscars 2020: Best-dressed stars on the red carpet Lea Seydoux The No Times to Die actor oozed old-school Hollywood glamour in a white, halterneck Louis Vuitton gown, designed with a black hem on the skirt. REUTERS Oscars 2020: Best-dressed stars on the red carpet Leonardo DiCaprio The Once Upon a Time in Hollywood star looked sophisticated in a smart black Armani tuxedo. Getty Images Oscars 2020: Best-dressed stars on the red carpet Scarlett Johansson The Marriage Story actor shimmered on the red carpet in a metallic strapless Oscar de la Renta gown. Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP Oscars 2020: Best-dressed stars on the red carpet Kristen Wiig Wiig wore a standout scarlet Valentino outfit at the Academy Awards, designed with ruffles down the side and a train. REUTERS Oscars 2020: Best-dressed stars on the red carpet Rooney Mara Rooney Mara opted for a signature gothic look at the awards ceremony, wearing a black lace, cut-out Alexander McQueen design. Getty Images Oscars 2020: Best-dressed stars on the red carpet Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson The couple made a stylish pair in Tom Ford on the red carpet, Hanks in a black tux and Wilson in a rose gold, tassled gown. Getty Images Oscars 2020: Best-dressed stars on the red carpet Margot Robbie The Academy Award nominee was styled in a black, chiffon Chanel dress, which featured a purple jewel at the front. Getty Images Oscars 2020: Best-dressed stars on the red carpet Renee Zellweger The Oscar nominee went for a simple but impactful look, wearing a one-shoulder, white sequinned Armani design. Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP Oscars 2020: Best-dressed stars on the red carpet Brad Pitt The Once Upon a Time in Hollywood looked ever stylish in a black Brioni tux. Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP Oscars 2020: Best-dressed stars on the red carpet Florence Pugh The Oscar nominee dazzled in a teal Louis Vuitton number on the red carpet, designed with a layered skirt. Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP Oscars 2020: Best-dressed stars on the red carpet Saoirse Ronan The Little Women star stood out on the red carpet in a multi-coloured Gucci design, featuring a black, V-neck torso, a lilac skirt and a cream, ruffled midriff. Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP Oscars 2020: Best-dressed stars on the red carpet Natalie Portman Natalie Portman looked radiant in a black and gold Dior ensemble, featuring a cape and gold embellishments. Getty Images Oscars 2020: Best-dressed stars on the red carpet Keanu Reeves and his mother Patricia Taylor Keanu Reeves attended the Oscars with his mother, costume designer Patricia Taylor. The pair contrasted one another on the red carpet, Taylor in a white suit and Reeves in black. Getty Images Oscars 2020: Best-dressed stars on the red carpet Joaquin Phoenix In January, Joaquin Phoenix vowed to wear the same custom-made Stella McCartney suit to every awards show in an effort to reduce waste. Getty Images Oscars 2020: Best-dressed stars on the red carpet Salma Hayek Salma Hayek looked angelic in a white, one-shoulder Gucci dress, accessorising with a silver headpiece and matching bangles. Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP Oscars 2020: Best-dressed stars on the red carpet Maya Rudolph Maya Rudolph struck gold in a sequinned orange Valentino gown, accessorising with gold, strappy heels and wearing her hair in a chic bob. AFP via Getty Images Oscars 2020: Best-dressed stars on the red carpet Sandra Oh The Killing Eve star looked breathtaking in a gold, sequinned Elie Saab design, topped with a ruffled hem and shoulder details. AFP via Getty Images Oscars 2020: Best-dressed stars on the red carpet Taika Waititi The Jojo Rabbit director knows how to work a red carpet, as shown during his many red carpet appearances. During this year's Oscars, he chose to go for a somewhat understated black tux, a departure from his usual colourful style, and a pair of Tod's patent lace-up shoes. AFP via Getty Images Oscars 2020: Best-dressed stars on the red carpet Penelope Cruz Penelope Cruz's Chanel ensemble featured several different eye-catching elements, including a white rose, a pearl belt, a pocketed skirt and a halter neck. AFP via Getty Images Oscars 2020: Best-dressed stars on the red carpet Rebel Wilson The Pitch Perfect actor dazzled in a gold, sequinned floor-length Jason Wu design. Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP Oscars 2020: Best-dressed stars on the red carpet Janelle Monae The singer had a Cinderella moment on the red carpet, donning an extravagant, unique, silver Ralph Lauren ballgown, designed with a matching hood. Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP Oscars 2020: Best-dressed stars on the red carpet Olivia Colman Olivia Colman, who won the Best Actress Oscar last year for her performance in The Favourite, attended this year's Academy Awards in a navy, cut-out, velvet Stella McCartney dress, complete with a train. AFP via Getty Images Oscars 2020: Best-dressed stars on the red carpet James Corden and Julia Carey Corden attended the awards ceremony wearing a black tuxedo, while his wife, Julia Carey, donned a silver, embellished gown with a royal blue belt. Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP Oscars 2020: Best-dressed stars on the red carpet Noah Baumbach and Greta Gerwig Little Women director Gerwig wore a strapless, khaki Dior dress on the red carpet, while her partner, Marriage Story director Baumbach, was dressed in a black suit. AFP via Getty Images Oscars 2020: Best-dressed stars on the red carpet Oscar Isaac and Elvira Lind The Star Wars actor donned a black suit for the occasion, while his wife, director and producer Elvira Lind, brightened up the red carpet in a sunshine yellow, layered gown. AFP via Getty Images Oscars 2020: Best-dressed stars on the red carpet Kelly Marie Tran The Star Wars favourite opted for a black strapless Schiaparelli gown, designed with blue floral detailing at the top. Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP Oscars 2020: Best-dressed stars on the red carpet Julia Louis-Dreyfus The Veep star contrasted with the red carpet in a navy custom Vera Wang gown, accessorising with a eye-catching diamond necklace. Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP Oscars 2020: Best-dressed stars on the red carpet Gerard Butler The actor struck a pose on the red carpet, wearing a svelte navy suit. AP Oscars 2020: Best-dressed stars on the red carpet Billie Eilish The singer stunned on the red carpet in a white Chanel ensemble, complete with lace gloves. Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP Oscars 2020: Best-dressed stars on the red carpet Laura Dern The Oscar nominee opted for a pale pink Armani number with black detailing at the top, accessorising with understated jewels. AFP via Getty Images Oscars 2020: Best-dressed stars on the red carpet Mindy Kaling The Late Night star attended the Academy Awards wearing a bright marigold one-shoulder Dolce and Gabbana gown with pleating detail. AFP via Getty Images Oscars 2020: Best-dressed stars on the red carpet America Ferrera The Ugly Betty actor looked regal in a scarlet, floor-length Alberta Ferretti gown, accessorising with a golden headband. Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP Oscars 2020: Best-dressed stars on the red carpet Gam Wichayanee The Thai singer looked every inch a princess on the red carpet, wearing a stunning, off-the-shoulder, ombre, chiffon Poem couture gown. REUTERS Oscars 2020: Best-dressed stars on the red carpet Anthony Ramos and Jasmine Cephas Jones The actors, who both starred in the original Broadway production of Hamilton, made for a stylish pair on the red carpet, Ramos in a white and black ensemble and studded shoes, and Jones in a black, blouson-sleeved Yanina couture gown. REUTERS Oscars 2020: Best-dressed stars on the red carpet Beanie Feldstein The Booksmart star brought a touch of old-school glamour in a white and black floral Miu Miu gown, her hair styled in classic waves. Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP Oscars 2020: Best-dressed stars on the red carpet Billy Porter Billy Porter arrived on the red carpet in a skirt and top combination by Giles Deacon, accessorising with custom Jimmy Choo shoes. Getty Images Oscars 2020: Best-dressed stars on the red carpet Tonya Lewis Lee and Spike Lee Tonya Lewis Lee attended the Oscars in a white gown alongside filmmaker Spike Lee, who opted for a purple suit with yellow detailing. Getty Images Oscars 2020: Best-dressed stars on the red carpet Kaitlyn Dever The Booksmart actor oozed glamour in a red, embellished, strapless Louis Vuitton gown. Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP Oscars 2020: Best-dressed stars on the red carpet Vanessa Nadal and Lin-Manuel Miranda Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda looked chic in a black tuxedo, while his wife, lawyer Vanessa Nadal, contrasted in a white, embellished gown. Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP Oscars 2020: Best-dressed stars on the red carpet Caitriona Balfe The Irish actor made a bold entrance on the red carpet, wearing a black Valentino fishtail gown designed with a sheer, pink top and bow. AFP via Getty Images Oscars 2020: Best-dressed stars on the red carpet Sigourney Weaver Sigourney Weaver attended the Oscars in a green long-sleeved Dior gown with a matching clutch. Getty Images Oscars 2020: Best-dressed stars on the red carpet Chrissy Metz Chrissy Metz attended the Oscars in a pillared red Christian Siriano gown. Getty Images Oscars 2020: Best-dressed stars on the red carpet Regina King Regina King chose a pale pink structured Versace gown for the Oscars. AFP via Getty Images Oscars 2020: Best-dressed stars on the red carpet Julia Butters Julia Butters also chose a pink outfit, arriving on the red carpet in a long-sleeved Christian Siriano gown with matching pink purse. Getty Images Oscars 2020: Best-dressed stars on the red carpet Idina Menzel Idina Menzel went with a pink theme, arriving on the red carpet in a strapless fuchsia J. Mendel gown. Getty Images Oscars 2020: Best-dressed stars on the red carpet Ryan Piers Williams and America Ferrera America Ferrera chose a red Alberta Ferretti gown for the red carpet and accessorised with a headband. Ryan Piers opted for a simple black tuxedo. Getty Images Oscars 2020: Best-dressed stars on the red carpet Zazie Beetz Zazie Beetz chose a strapless black Thome Brown dress for the Oscars. EPA Oscars 2020: Best-dressed stars on the red carpet Kerri Higuchi and John Cho Kerri Higuchi chose a black and silver Monique Huillier gown for the red carpet, while John Cho opted for a burnt orange Zegna suit. Getty Images Oscars 2020: Best-dressed stars on the red carpet Robin Roberts Robin Roberts arrived on the red carpet wearing a one-shouldered sparkling green Badgley Mischka gown. EPA Oscars 2020: Best-dressed stars on the red carpet George MacKay George MacKay opted for a simple tuxedo for the 92nd annual Oscars. EPA Oscars 2020: Best-dressed stars on the red carpet Norwegian singer-songwriter Aurora Aurora arrived at the Oscars wearing a pale green ensemble by costume designer Viktoria Aksnes with red accents. AFP via Getty Images Oscars 2020: Best-dressed stars on the red carpet Kelly Ripa Kelly Ripa arrived on the red carpet in a black structured one-shouldered Christian Siriano gown. Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP

“I think we’ve become very disconnected from the natural world... We go into the natural world and we plunder it for its resources – we feel entitled to artificially inseminate a cow, and when she gives birth, we steal her baby even though her cries of anguish are unmistakable.

“I’ve been a scoundrel in my life,” he added. “I’ve been cruel at times and hard to work with, but so many people in this room have given me a second chance.”

South Korean black comedy Parasite was the evening’s biggest winner, making history by becoming the first ever foreign language film to win Best Picture.

Meanwhile, Olivia Colman had the audience in stitches before presenting Phoenix with his award.