You can see the expression on his face. He did NOT expect to win!

And no one came up and told him he had to give it back either!

On this day in 2001, Russell Crowe – with his second Academy Award nomination – won best actor for his role as Maximus Decimus Meridias in the movie which also won best picture, Gladiator.  The first video shows the best actor category from the very beginning. (I do not remember Steve Martin up there at all. LOL) But if you just want to skip to the part when they announce him as winner, check out the second video.

I remember thinking later my neighbors probably thought I was being murdered. LOL When they announced his name I’d been pacing my living room floor…I then dropped to my knees and screamed and didn’t stop until he gave his acceptance speech! I was probably as stunned as Russell!