Chad Lowe Reflects on the Moment Hilary Swank Forgot to Thank Him in Her Oscar Speech
Hilary Swank, Chad Lowe.
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Kevin Winter/Getty; Mathew Imaging/FilmMagic
Chad Lowe has shared a poignant recollection from the night his then-wife, Hilary Swank, won her Oscar for Best Actress in 2000 for her role in Boys Don’t Cry. During an appearance on the podcast Still Here Hollywood, Lowe described the moment Swank realized she had failed to thank him in her acceptance speech, portraying her reaction as one of "horror."
Reflecting on the event, Lowe noted that the live audience and viewers at home did not see the "look of terror" that crossed Swank’s face as she was ushered off stage, suddenly aware that time had run out. "I felt so bad for her," he stated, acknowledging the intense pressure of the moment.
He recounted the experience following Swank’s award, recalling how the countdown clock would flash 30 seconds, adding to the tension of the acceptance speech. Lowe remarked, "The first thing I said to her — she didn’t need to thank me," emphasizing that he had already felt appreciated in their personal relationship.
Despite the public expectation of gratitude, Lowe insisted he did not feel slighted or taken for granted. "I just felt for her," he shared.
Swank later received a second Academy Award for Best Actress in 2005 for her performance in Million Dollar Baby.

Chad Lowe and Hilary Swank.
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Swank and Lowe were married from 1997 until their divorce in 2007. Swank is now married to Philip Schneider, with whom she recently welcomed twins, Ohm and Aya, in April 2023.
Meanwhile, Chad Lowe is married to Kim Painter, and the couple shares three daughters: Nixie Barbara, eight; Fiona Hepler, twelve; and Mabel Painter, fifteen.

Chad Lowe congratulates Hilary Swank.
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