Harrison Ford, Vin Diesel Pay Tribute to Helen Mirren at American Cinematheque Awards

Helen Mirren was honored at the 37th annual American Cinematheque Awards on Thursday night, with a star-studded list of presenters on hand to celebrate the actress’ achievements both on screen and off.

Harrison Ford, Vin Diesel, Patrick Stewart, Bryan Cranston, Pierce Brosnan, Alan Cumming, Andrea Riseborough and Mirren’s husband Taylor Hackford toasted the star at the event, which is an annual fundraiser for the American Cinematheque that supports its programming at the Aero Theatre in Santa Monica, Los Feliz 3 Theatre in Los Feliz and Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood.

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The award touched on the many highlights of Mirren’s career — most recently in Golda and as the narrator for Barbie — and her versatility on screen, as well as the impact she’s had on her co-stars.

Diesel — making his first public appearance since he was sued for alleged sexual battery by his former assistant in December — talked about the relationship the pair has developed after working together on the Fast & Furious franchise, telling the crowd, “so many of us actors work our whole life to be famous and then once you’re famous, you often wonder does anybody know you, does anybody know who you truly are? The magic and the gift that Helen is in my life is I know that there’s someone on this planet that truly knows who I am, and that’s the biggest gift of all.”

“Helen, you know this more than anyone in the room, I love you with all my heart,” Diesel continued. “And to answer that question you posed in your 1984 film Cal: ‘Would you die for me?’ I would die for you.”

Hackford also spoke about their long relationship, noting that working together on White Nights was “one of the great joys of my career” and “40 years later, I’m the luckiest man in the room because that’s my wife.”

Ford was the last to take the stage, joking that after they co-starred twice, in The Mosquito Coast and 1923, “I think I am your oldest husband still in service — I’m not available tonight but any other time. I’ve made a career out of playing Helen’s husband…it is an extraordinary opportunity and an extraordinary pleasure. You are the kindest, smartest, funniest, wackiest broad I’ve ever known and I love you for it.”

Upon accepting her award, Mirren joked that everyone should have the experience of being paid tribute in such fashion as “it’s fucking amazing.” She then read a brief speech before declaring it was written by AI and ripping it up, beginning again using her own words.

“So, career recognition. Those two words are so really intimidating and somewhat scary, it’s kind of like writing a eulogy for your own memorial. Career, gosh, is that it? Is that my career? Is that the story of my career, is it done now? The clock’s ticked, the sand has run through,” she mused. “I so clearly remember, for example, the inimitable night of winning the Oscar and thinking, there is really only one way now, and it can’t be up. And recognition, the whole thrill of work is to see what happens next, what missteps, what accidents, what triumphs, what accidental triumphs, what sought after but never reached goals, what overcome terrors — tonight I had to overcome terrors in a big way, I have to say.”

Mirren then recalled “some joyful little vignettes that I remember from my life and my career,” which included walking around the Camelot set for Excalibur, driving onto the MGM lot in her Mustang convertible and being greeted personally by security, smoking joints in Peter O’Toole’s trailer on Caligula, and having Queen Elizabeth introduce her as “this is Dame Helen, she played me, you know, in the film.”

“My career is a coat of many colors, fears and insecurities mixed in a heady cocktail with laughter, lots of laughter, and excitement,” she continued, noting she owed everything to her directors, producers, cinematographers, wardrobe and makeup departments.

“For me, the overriding color in the landscape of my life is the rosy glow of the generosity, the kindness, the wit, the intelligence, the dedication and the inspiration of all those thespians,” Mirren concluded. “I am one of their people, theirs is the language I speak, no matter which country they come from. Thank you, thank you all; you are my career and I am you.”

Screen Engine and its CEO Kevin Goetz were also honored at the event, with Tom Cruise, Margot Robbie, Charlize Theron and Dwayne Johnson expressing their congratulations via video.

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