UPDATE-With actors Octavia Spencer, Viola Davis and Idris Elba up for an award at the 2012 Golden Globe Awards, it’s no surprise that a Dr. Martin Luther King quote was used in an acceptance speech.
At the end of the evening Octavia Spencer and Idris Elba took home an award.
Spencer won for best supporting actress for her role in the “the Help” as a brazen housekeeper in the ‘60’s who shared stories with her white employer in the Deep South.
“With regard to domestics in this country, now and then, I think Dr. King said it best: ‘All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance.’ And I thank you for recognizing that with our film,” Spencer said in her acceptance speech.
Idris, who recently made remarks about not wanting to be recognized as just the next Black anything, but wanted to be recognized based on his strengths as an actor, won for his ‘John Luther’ portrayal in ‘Luther’.
“This is for the fans. I have the most loyal fans all over the world and I appreciate it. I want to thank Neil Cross who wrote the show. He’s phenomenal,” the actor said before going on to thank his daughter.
Idris won the Golden Globe award for actor in a series, miniseries or motion picture made for television. Elba beat out Hugh Bonneville of ‘Downton Abbey,’ William Hurt of ‘Too Big to Fail,’ Bill Nighy of ‘Page Eight’ and Dominic West of ‘The Hour’ for the award.
This year’s Cecil B. DeMille Award at the Golden Globes was presented to Morgan Freeman who is well aware of how influential movies and the film industry can be on its audiences.
“One of the more effective avenues for learning American history is movies. I was always a big reader when I was a kid, but movies -— they’re so impactive,” Freeman told reporters backstage at the Globes on Sunday.
Another first time winner of the night was Michelle Williams. Michelle Williams’ portrayal of the voluptuous, infamous blond Marilyn Monroe in “My Week With Marilyn” yielded the actress her first Globe in the highly coveted category for best actress in a film comedy or musical.
“Thank you to the Hollywood Foreign Press Association for putting in my hand the same award that Marilyn Monroe herself won over 50 years ago,” Williams said.
The prequel show to the juggernaut of all award shows, the Academy Awards, separates dramas from comedies which may have afforded Williams’ her first Globe win, hence no direct competition with powerhouse actress Meryl Streep. Streep is nominated for her role of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in “Iron Lady”.
However, probably the biggest shocker of the night was Meryl Streep’s win. The nomination queen won best actress for “The Iron Lady” beating out Viola Davis for the win. Many critics thought Viola would win the award for her portrayal in “The Help” since “The Iron Lady” reviews were less than flattering.
Other moments beyond first wins were the Globe’s host, Ricky Gervais, who came out in true form—taking no prisoners. He first took dabs at his employer, the Hollywood Press Association, dubbing the show as the Oscars “but without all that esteem”. The Globes are to the Oscars “what Kim Kardashian is to Kate Middleton. A bit louder, a bit drunker and more easily bought,” he joked.
Other Golden Globe wins of the night included: George Clooney, best actor for The Descendants, Kelsey Grammer, best actor for Boss, Jessica Lange, best actress for American Horror Story, Peter Dinklage, best supporting actor for Game of Thrones, Claire Danes, best actress for Homeland, Jean Dujardin, The Artist best actor for The Artist, and Kate Winslet, best actress for Mildred Pierce to name a few.
Who were your Golden Globes surprises and upsets? Check out our Golden Globe Red Carpet! In celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. check out a few of Martin Luther King’s best quotes.
