LOS ANGELES — Christopher Plummer may be the oldest Oscar winner ever, but he's not showing any signs of slowing down.

The 82-year-old came on stage Sunday night to accept his best supporting actor award and stared at the statuette before remarking on how great it looked.

"You're only two years older than me darling, where have you been all of my life?" Plummer asked.

At birth, he joked, "I was already rehearsing my academy acceptance speech, but it was so long ago mercifully for you I've forgotten it."

The humor and heartfelt one he delivered Sunday night wasn't that original version, he said, but, "I haven't forgotten who to thank."

Plummer has enjoyed a vibrant career that has included his first two Oscar nominations in the past three years. Wearing a navy velvet tuxedo, Plummer thanked fellow nominees, co-stars and his wife, who he said "deserves the Nobel Peace Prize for coming to my rescue every day of my life."

Plummer won for his role in "Beginners" as Hal Fields, a museum director who becomes openly gay after his wife of 44 years dies. His loving, final relationship becomes an inspiration for his son, who struggles with his father's death and how to find intimacy in a new relationship.

Over more than 50 years in the industry, Plummer has enjoyed varied roles ranging from Captain Von Trapp in the "The Sound of Music" to the voice of the villain in 2009's "Up." He was nominated for his portrayal of Leo Tolstoy in "The Last Station" three years ago.

Plummer beat out fellow nominees Kenneth Branagh, Jonah Hill, Nick Nolte and fellow octogenarian Max von Sydow.

He displaces George Burns, who in 1976 was the oldest nominee to win a supporting actor Oscar at age 80. Jessica Tandy, who won for "Driving Miss Daisy" was the oldest winner before Sunday's show.

Plummer's age was a joke for host Billy Crystal, who told the audience, "He may be walking up on stage tonight because apparently he wanders off."

In the end, Plummer did end up onstage and it wasn't a mistake at all. The audience showered him with applause and Plummer's lifelong dream was fulfilled.