Who gave the best Golden Globes acceptance speech? Lily Gladstone, Robert Downey Jr., Paul Giamatti …

Charles Bright
·5 min read
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The 81st Annual Golden Globes are finally in the history books. The ceremony was filled with the usual aspects that give the Globes a special place in our hearts: incredible winners, glamor, an open bar and, of course, fantastic speeches. Some were funny while others reflected on history-making moments at the event. Below we’ve listed our choices for the best speeches of the night. Did your favorite make the list? If not, which ones are we missing? Let us know in the comments section and by voting in our poll below.

SEE2024 Golden Globes winners list in all 27 movie and TV categories

Best Film Drama Actress: Lily Gladstone, “Killers of the Flower Moon”

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In becoming the first indigenous person to win the category, Gladstone started her speech by speaking in the Blackfeet language and then acknowledged her mother who helped get the language taught in her school. She remarked on the history that Native people have had in the entertainment industry, like how Native actors used to speak their lines in English and then sound mixers would run the audio backwards to give the appearance of them speaking in a Native language. After thanking her “Killers” cast and crew, she said that the award was “for every little res kid, every little urban kid, every little Native kid out there who has a dream, who is seeing themselves represented and our stories told by ourselves in our own words, with tremendous allies and tremendous trust with and from each other.”

Best Film Comedy/Musical Actor: Paul Giamatti, “The Holdovers”

Giamatti opened his speech by commenting that there were too many stairs and that his knees were shot, so he’s “never gonna be in ‘John Wick 5’ at this rate.” He then remarked that this must be the first time this award has been given to an actor for playing someone who smells like fish. After thanking his “Holdovers” family, he shouted out his son, Samuel, who just graduated college. He closed by giving thanks to teachers, of which several are in his family, saying, “Teachers are good people. You gotta respect ‘em. They do a good thing. It’s a tough job.”

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Best Film Supporting Actor: Robert Downey, Jr., “Oppenheimer”

Downey started off by revealing, “I took a beta blocker so this should be a breeze.” He then reflected on how the idea of a movie like “Oppenheimer” being as successful as it was doesn’t track with reality. He shouted out Christopher Nolan, his co-stars and producer Emma Thomas, saying “they helped render a goddamn masterpiece.” After saying his award was a “Most Improved Player sort of thing” he thanked his agents who said he needed to restart his career, joking that “it’s so fun proving agents right.” He ended by thanking his wife Susan for taking him out of his comfort zones, “but she’s easy on the eyes, so whatevs.”

Best TV Drama Actor: Kieran Culkin, “Succession”

The first thing he did was tell the standing audience members to sit down. Then he suppressed a belch and simply explained, “Sorry. Burping. Indigestion.” He reminisced about being at the ceremony 21 years ago when he was nominated for the film “Igby Goes Down” and thinking that he would never be in that room again. He then jokingly delivered what might be the line of the night by taunting “Suck it, Pedro” to fellow nominee Pedro Pascal. He closed by thanking his manager, his mother and his wife, whom he appreciates for “putting up with all of this” as he gestured to his head and body.

SEEGolden Globes 2024 film winners: Best prediction scores by our Editors and Users

Best TV Comedy Actress: Ayo Edebiri, “The Bear”

It was obvious that the moment was a lot for Edebiri to take in. While breathing heavily she acknowledged the cast and crew of “The Bear” as her family before thanking her actual family, saying, “I love you guys too.” She was about to end her speech before remembering to thank the assistants of her agents and managers who “answer my crazy emails.” A beautiful tribute to unsung heroes of this industry.

Best TV Movie/Limited Series: Lee Sung Jin, “Beef”

Upon receiving his trophy, Lee explained to the audience that the Netflix limited series was inspired by an actual instance of road rage that happened to him: “I’d be remiss not to thank that driver. Sir, I hope you honk and yell and inspire others for years to come.”

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