Ben Affleck's redemption by Hollywood is complete, with his film 'Argo' winning Best Picture at this year's Oscars.

When his co-producer Grant Heslov took to the microphone, he made the very deliberate point of thanking "our co-producer and director Ben Affleck", just in case anyone missed that Affleck had been left off the Best Director shortlist.

ben affleck
Ben Affleck gave an emotional speech at the Oscars, where his film 'Argo' triumphed

But when Affleck made his speech, he didn't seem too bothered, concentrating instead on thanking everyone he could think of to do with the film, including his actress wife Jennifer Garner, "who I don't normally associate with Iran".

He then reflected on his rollercoaster ride back to screen success, since his first Oscar win, in 1998, for writing 'Good Will Hunting' with Matt Damon....

"I had no idea what I was doing. I stood out here. I was just a kid, and I never thought I'd be back here, and I am...

"What I learned was it doesn't matter if you get knocked down in life, what matters is that you've got to get back up."

In a surprise to the night, hosted by Seth McFarlane, it was US First Lady Michelle Obama, beamed direct from the White House, who presented the nominees for Best Picture, and then opened the envelope to reveal the word 'Argo'.

Click here for a full list of Oscar winners

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  • Adele, Paul Epworth

    Singer Adele, left, and musician/producer Paul Epworth accept the award for best original song for "Skyfall" from "Skyfall" during the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday Feb. 24, 2013, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

  • Adele, Paul Epworth

    Singer Adele, left, and musician/producer Paul Epworth accept the award for best original song for "Skyfall" from "Skyfall" during the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday Feb. 24, 2013, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

  • Adele

    Singer Adele accepts the award for best music - original song for "Skyfall," from the film "Skyfall," during the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday Feb. 24, 2013, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

  • Anne Hathaway, Christopher Plummer

    Actor Christopher Plummer, right, presents the award for best actress in a supporting role to Anne Hathaway for "Les Miserables" during the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday Feb. 24, 2013, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

  • Sandra Bullock

    Actress Sandra Bullock presents an award during the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday Feb. 24, 2013, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

  • William Goldenberg, Sandra Bullock

    Actress Sandra Bullock, right, presents the award for best film editing to William Goldenberg for "Argo" during the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday Feb. 24, 2013, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

  • Daniel Radcliffe, Kristen Stewart

    Actors Daniel Radcliffe, left, and Kristen Stewart present an award during the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday Feb. 24, 2013, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

  • Rick Carter

    Rick Carter accepts the award for best production design for "Lincoln" during the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday Feb. 24, 2013, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

  • Russell Crowe

    Actor Russell Crowe, from the cast of "Les Miserables," performs during the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday Feb. 24, 2013, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

  • Jane Fonda, Michael Douglas

    Actors Jane Fonda, right, and Michael Douglas present an award during the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

  • Ang Lee

    Ang Lee accepts the award for best directing for "Life of Pi" during the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday Feb. 24, 2013, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

  • Jennifer Lawrence

    Actress Jennifer Lawrence stumbles as she walks on stage to accept the award for best actress in a leading role for "Silver Linings Playbook" during the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday Feb. 24, 2013, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

  • Quentin Tarantino, Charlize Theron

    Actress Charlize Theron, left, presents the award for best writing - original screenplay to Quentin Tarantino for "Django Unchained" during the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday Feb. 24, 2013, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

  • Karen Lawrence, Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence

    Karen Lawrence, left, and Bradley Cooper, right, congratulate Jennifer Lawrence after she was announced as the winner of the award for best actress in a leading role for "Silver Linings Playbook" during the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

  • Jennifer Lawrence

    Jennifer Lawrence accepts the award for best actress in a leading role for "Silver Linings Playbook" during the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday Feb. 24, 2013, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

  • Daniel Day-Lewis

    Daniel Day-Lewis accepts the award for best actor in a leading role for "Lincoln" during the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday Feb. 24, 2013, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

  • Daniel Day-Lewis

    Daniel Day-Lewis accepts the award for best actor in a leading role for "Lincoln" during the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

  • Daniel Day-Lewis

    Daniel Day-Lewis accepts the award for best actor in a leading role for "Lincoln" during the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday Feb. 24, 2013, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

  • Jennifer Lawrence

    Jennifer Lawrence accepts the award for best actress in a leading role for "Silver Linings Playbook" during the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday Feb. 24, 2013, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

  • George Clooney

    Actor George Clooney speaks on stage during the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

  • Barbra Streisand

    Actress/singer Barbra Streisand performs "Memories" for the In Memoriam tribute during the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday Feb. 24, 2013, in Los Angeles. Pictured on screen is the late composer Marvin Hamlisch. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

  • Barbra Streisand

    Actress/singer Barbra Streisand performs "Memories" for the In Memoriam tribute during the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday Feb. 24, 2013, in Los Angeles. Pictured on screen is the late composer Marvin Hamlisch. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

  • Barbra Streisand

    Actress/singer Barbra Streisand performs "Memories" for the In Memoriam tribute during the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday Feb. 24, 2013, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

  • Adele, Paul Epworth

    Singer Adele, left, and musician/producer Paul Epworth accept the award for best original song for "Skyfall" from "Skyfall" during the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday Feb. 24, 2013, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

  • Norah Jones

    Singer Norah Jones performs during the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

  • Barbra Streisand

    Actress/singer Barbra Streisand performs "Memories" for the In Memoriam tribute during the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday Feb. 24, 2013, in Los Angeles. Pictured on screen is the late composer Marvin Hamlisch. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

  • Charlize Theron, Dustin Hoffman

    Actors Charlize Theron, left, and Dustin Hoffman present an award during the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday Feb. 24, 2013, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

  • Barbra Streisand

    Barbra Streisand performs "Memories" for the In Memoriam tribute during the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday Feb. 24, 2013, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

  • Andy Nelson, Mark Paterson

    Andy Nelson, left, and Mark Paterson accept the award for best sound mixing for "Les Miserables" during the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday Feb. 24, 2013, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

  • Daniel Radcliffe, Kristen Stewart

    Actors Daniel Radcliffe, left, and Kristen Stewart present an award during the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday Feb. 24, 2013, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

  • Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway

    Actors Hugh Jackman, left, and Anne Hathaway, from the cast of "Les Miserables," perform during the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday Feb. 24, 2013, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

  • Samantha Barks, Aaron Tveit, Eddie Redmayne, Anne Hathaway

    From left, actors Samantha Barks, Aaron Tveit, Eddie Redmayne and Anne Hathaway, from the cast of "Les Miserables," perform during the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday Feb. 24, 2013, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

  • George Clooney

    Actor George Clooney speaks on stage during the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday Feb. 24, 2013, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

  • Mark Wahlberg

    Actor Mark Wahlberg speaks on stage during the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday Feb. 24, 2013, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

  • Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway

    Actors Hugh Jackman, front, and Anne Hathaway, from the cast of "Les Miserables," perform during the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday Feb. 24, 2013, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

  • Norah Jones

    Singer Norah Jones performs during the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

  • Barbra Streisand

    Barbra Streisand performs "Memories" for the In Memoriam tribute during the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday Feb. 24, 2013, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

  • Adele

    Singer Adele accepts the award for best music - original song for "Skyfall," from the film "Skyfall," during the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday Feb. 24, 2013, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

  • Barbra Streisand

    Actress/singer Barbra Streisand performs "Memories" for the In Memoriam tribute during the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday Feb. 24, 2013, in Los Angeles. Pictured on screen is the late composer Marvin Hamlisch. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

  • Adele

    Singer Adele accepts the award for best original song for "Skyfall" from the film "Skyfall" during the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday Feb. 24, 2013, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

  • Adele

    Singer Adele accepts the award for best original song for "Skyfall" from the film "Skyfall" during the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday Feb. 24, 2013, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

  • Quentin Tarantino

    Quentin Tarantino accepts the award for best original screenplay for "Django Unchained" during the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday Feb. 24, 2013, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

  • Quentin Tarantino

    Quentin Tarantino accepts the award for best original screenplay for "Django Unchained" during the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

  • Quentin Tarantino

    Quentin Tarantino accepts the award for best writing - original screenplay for "Django Unchained" during the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday Feb. 24, 2013, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

  • Barbra Streisand

    Barbra Streisand performs "Memories" for the In Memoriam tribute during the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday Feb. 24, 2013, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

  • Jane Fonda, Michael Douglas

    Actors Jane Fonda, right, and Michael Douglas present an award during the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

  • Chris Terrio

    Chris Terrio accepts the award for best writing - adapted screenplay for "Argo" during the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday Feb. 24, 2013, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

  • Quentin Tarantino

    Quentin Tarantino accepts the award for best original screenplay for "Django Unchained" during the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

  • Aaron Tveit, Anne Hathaway, Amanda Seyfried, Eddie Redmayne, Samantha Barks, Hugh Jackman, Helena Bonham Carter, Sacha Baron Cohen, Russell Crowe

    From left, actors Aaron Tveit, Anne Hathaway, Amanda Seyfried, Eddie Redmayne, Samantha Barks, Hugh Jackman, Helena Bonham Carter, Sacha Baron Cohen and Russell Crowe, from the cast of "Les Miserables," perform during the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday Feb. 24, 2013, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

  • Aaron Tveit, Anne Hathaway, Amanda Seyfried, Eddie Redmayne, Samantha Barks, Hugh Jackman, Helena Bonham Carter, Sacha Baron Cohen, Russell Crowe

    From left, actors Aaron Tveit, Anne Hathaway, Amanda Seyfried, Eddie Redmayne, Samantha Barks, Hugh Jackman, Helena Bonham Carter, Sacha Baron Cohen and Russell Crowe, from the cast of "Les Miserables," perform during the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday Feb. 24, 2013, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

  • Aaron Tveit, Anne Hathaway, Amanda Seyfried, Eddie Redmayne, Samantha Barks, Hugh Jackman, Helena Bonham Carter, Sacha Baron Cohen, Russell Crowe

    From left, actors Aaron Tveit, Anne Hathaway, Amanda Seyfried, Eddie Redmayne, Samantha Barks, Hugh Jackman, Helena Bonham Carter, Sacha Baron Cohen and Russell Crowe, from the cast of "Les Miserables," perform during the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday Feb. 24, 2013, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

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