In a surprising turn of events at Sunday night’s Academy Awards, actor Gary Oldman actually thanked America in the acceptance speech he gave when he won the Oscar for Best Actor.

The “Dark Knight” star took home an award for his work as Winston Churchill in the hit film “Darkest Hour.”

The British-born actor said this country stood behind the success of both his career and his family.

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He thanked America for the “wonderful gifts she has given me.”

He also thanked movies for giving him “a dream” to follow in his life.

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It was a surprisingly patriotic moment not often seen at a Hollywood awards show. Sure, it lasted a nanosecond — but in such a liberal-drenched evening, the remarks stood out starkly.

Others at the Academy Awards were mostly busy preaching about illegal immigrants, women, Donald Trump, and gun control.

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Gary Oldman instead shared a moment of thanks for the country to which he’d immigrated legally — and for the industry in which he made his career.

He also thanked his mother and his wife.

PopZette editor Zachary Leeman can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter.