Golden Globes 2020: Russell Crowe sends emotional statement about bushfires as Ricky Gervais delivers savage monologue

In a statement delivered by Jennifer Aniston, Russell Crowe sent a powerful message to Hollywood about the Australian bushfires. And he wasn’t the only one.

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Australia’s bushfire crisis took a starring role at the Golden Globes, with Cate Blanchett and Russell Crowe highlighting the tragedy.

Celebrity reflection on the fires continued until the last moments of the televised ceremony held in Los Angeles, with Best Actor winner, Joker star Joaquin Phoenix, talking about the bushfires in his acceptance speech.

“It’s really nice that so many people have sent their well wishes to Australia but we have to do more than that,” Phoenix said.

“I have not always been a virtuous man. So many of you in this room have given me so many opportunities to get it right,” he confessed to the audience at The Beverly Hilton Hotel.

“Together, hopefully we can be unified and make some changes.”

Joaquin Phoenix won Best Actor and used his speech to highlight the Australian bushfires. Picture: AP

He was honoured for his role as the Joker in ‘Joker’. Picture: AP

And Golden Globes host Ricky Gervais closed the evening with a request to the audience to “donate to Australia”.

Earlier in the ceremony, Jennifer Aniston read a statement from Crowe that explained that he was not present to accept his gong for Best Actor in a TV Miniseries because he was “in Australia protecting his family from the devastating bushfires”.

Aniston accepted the award on Crowe’s behalf for his portrayal of disgraced Fox News boss Roger Ailes in The Loudest Voice, and read a powerfully-worded speech from the Sydney-based, New Zealand-born actor.

Thanks to the @goldenglobes .
What a cast I got to work with.
Naomi Watts, @WallisAnnabelle Sienna Miller, Aleksa Palladino @JoshStamberg @SethMacFarlane Simon McBurney and everybody else. They created a complete world. Their commitment, sensitivity and courage was inspiring. pic.twitter.com/AW9PtKwKF3

— Russell Crowe (@russellcrowe) January 6, 2020

“Make no mistake, the tragedy unfolding in Australian is climate change-based,” Crowe said in the statement.

“We need to act based on science, move our global workforce towards renewable energy and respect our planet for the unique and amazing place that it is. That way we all have a future. Thank you.”

Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Aniston, who read a statement about the Australian bushfires on behalf of Russell Crowe at the Golden Globes. Picture: Getty Images

Russell Crowe was not on hand to accept his gong for The Loudest Voice, which was accepted by Jennifer Aniston. Picture: Getty Images

An unrecognisable Russell Crowe pictured in character as Roger Ailes for his Golden Globe-winning role in The Loudest Voice. Picture: AP

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Before presenting an award, Blanchett said the Australians in the audience were grateful for Hollywood’s focus on the bushfires.

“I want to do a special call-out to the volunteer firefighters who have been at the centre of battling the climate disaster that is facing Australia,” Blanchett said.

“And of course, when one country faces a climate disaster we all face a climate disaster. So we are in it together and thank you very much.”

Cate Blanchett. Picture: AP

‘We are in it together.’ Picture: AP

‘AUSTRALIA, I LOVE YOU’

And Blanchett and Crowe were not the only stars to mention the Australian crisis at the Golden Globes.

Accepting the Carol Burnett Award at the Golden Globes, Ellen DeGeneres also referenced the horrific bushfires.

“Australia, I love you. My heart goes out to everyone who is suffering, all the animals that we have lost,” DeGeneres said onstage, after sharing a kiss with her Australian actress wife, Portia de Rossi.

The award is granted for having an impactful achievement in television and DeGeneres was recognised for her groundbreaking comedy, charity work and eponymous talk show that has been running for 17 years.

Ellen DeGeneres said her thoughts were with Australia during the bushfire crisis. Picture: Getty Images

Kate McKinnon, left, embracing Ellen DeGeneres as she accepts the Carol Burnett TV Achievement Award at the 77th Annual Golden Globe Awards. Picture: AP

Patricia Arquette also spoke about the tragedy while accepting Best Supporting Actress in a Limited Series for The Act, as part of an impassioned speech about the escalating tensions between the US and Iran.

Arquette said January 2020 would not go down in the history books because of the Golden Globes but rather, “we’ll look back on a country on the brink of war … and the continent of Australia on fire”.

Former 007 Pierce Brosnan also referenced the disaster, dedicating a short speech to Australians and said Hollywood was “opening our hearts”. “All of us at the Golden Globes and the HFPA (Hollywood Foreign Press Association) send our thoughts to the people affected by the bushfires in Australia,” he said, to applause.

“Stay strong, we are with you, God bless.”

Patricia Arquette. Picture: AP

‘Our thoughts’. Pierce Brosnan, centre, with his sons Dylan, left, and Paris. Picture: AP

Ahead of the Golden Globes, Australians Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban thanked firefighters back home for their efforts.

“Our family is safe, but obviously many families have been put under enormous stress and duress right now. And we’re so deeply upset and worried,” Kidman told Variety.

“There’s enormous strength in the country right now in terms of camaraderie and helping each other.”

Speaking on the red carpet, Urban said: “There’s a lot of people who have lost so much down there already and there’s more to come, too.”

“We’re not out of the woods; this is just really the beginning of summer. But people are doing amazing work down there.

“We want to thank everyone who’s been working so hard.”

STAR STYLE AT THE GOLDEN GLOBES

A who’s who of Hollywood took to the stage to present Golden Globes, including Margot Robbie, Zoe Kravitz and her stepdad, Jason Momoa, and a Fendi-clad Gwyneth Paltrow.

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood duo Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio took the stage together, in one of the nighlights of the night, before Pitt later claimed Best Supporting Actor for his role in the Tarantino-directed, Los Angeles-set epic.

“He’s an all-star, he’s a gent, and I wouldn’t be here without you, man,” Pitt said of DiCaprio, as he accepted the award.

Pitt then made a refence to DiCaprio’s infamous “raft” scene from Titanic. “I would have shared the raft,” Pitt added, with a cheeky grin.

BFFs and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’s Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio. Picture: Getty Images

Brad Pitt looking adoringly at Once Upon a Time co-star, Leonardo DiCaprio. We don’t blame him. Picture: Getty Images

Gwyneth Paltrow in that eye-popping Fendi dress. Picture: Getty Images

Margot Robbie, right, onstage with Ewan McGregor. Picture: Getty Images

She presented the award for Best Original Screenplay to Quentin Tarantino, for the movie she starred in – Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. Picture: Getty Images

Zoe Kravitz presented a Golden Globe with her stepfather, Jason Momoa. Picture: AP

RICKY’S SAVAGE MONOLOGUE

British comic Gervais promised he wouldn’t hold back as host of his fifth and final Golden Globes and he did not disappoint.

His edgy opening monologue included a filthy joke about legendary actor Judi Dench, delved into sex scandals that have shocked Hollywood and accused the audience of being hypocrites for working with exploitative companies running streaming services.

“If ISIS started a streaming service, you’d call your agent,” he said, urging winners to keep their speeches short and non-political.

“You’re in no position to lecture the public about anything, you know nothing about the real world, most of you spent less time in school than Greta Thunberg.”

Ricky Gervais speaks onstage during the Golden Globe Awards at The Beverly Hilton Hotel. Picture: Getty Images

No one was safe. Picture: Getty Images

“So if you win … come up to accept your little award and thank your agent and your god.”

He made no excuses for the speech, which drew gasps, laughter and shocked silence from the star studded audience in the Beverly Hilton. “It’s the last time – who cares?” he offered.

And his savage monologue did not stop there, referencing everyone from embattled royal Prince Andrew to Felicity Huffman.

“You’ll be pleased to know this is the last time I’m hosting these awards. I don’t care anymore. I’m joking, I never did. Lucky for me the Hollywood Foreign Press can barely speak English, they don’t know what Twitter is,” Gervais told the star-studded audience at The Beverly Hilton Hotel.

“I came here in a limo tonight, and the license plate was made by Felicity Huffman. I feel sorry for her daughter. That must be the most embarrassing thing that’s ever happened to her – and her dad was in Wild Hogs.”

And he didn’t stop there. Gervais said Hollywood bigwigs were “all terrified of Ronan Farrow. Talking of all your perverts, it was a big year for paedophile movies. Surviving R Kelly, Leaving Neverland, Two Popes.”

The Office star and creator targeted Hollywood’s most powerful in his final-ever opening monologue as host of the Golden Globes. Picture: Getty Images

GOLDEN GLOBES – WINNERS AND NOMINEES

Margot Robbie and Nicole Kidman may have missed out in their categories but these stars – on and off screen – won at the Golden Globes.

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE – MUSICAL OR COMEDY

Awkwafina, The Farewell – WINNER

Ana De Armaa, Knives Out

Cate Blanchett – Where’d You Go, Bernadette

Beanie Feldstein – Booksmart

Emma Thompson – Late Night

Awkwafina. Picture: Getty Images

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE – MUSICAL OR COMEDY

Taron Egerton, Rocketman – WINNER

Daniel Craig, Knives Out

Roman Griffin Davis, Jojo Rabbit

Leonardo DiCaprio, Once Upon A Time In Hollywood

Eddie Murphy, Dolemite Is My Name

Taron Egerton. Picture: Getty Images

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN ANY MOTION PICTURE

Brad Pitt, Once Upon A Time In Hollywood – WINNER

Tom Hanks, A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood

Anthony Hopkins, The Two Popes

Al Pacino, The Irishman

Joe Pesci, The Irishman

Brad Pitt, with his Golden Globe, and best mate, Leo. Picture: Getty Images

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN ANY MOTION PICTURE

Laura Dern, Marriage Story – WINNER

Kathy Bates, Richard Jewell

Annette Bening, The Report

Jennifer Lopez, Hustlers

Margot Robbie, Bombshell

Laura Dern trumped Margot Robbie to win Best Supporting Actress in a motion picture for Marriage Story. Picture: AP

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA

Cynthia Erivo, Harriet

Scarlett Johansson, Marriage Story

Saoirse Ronan, Little Women

Charlize Theron, Bombshell

Renée Zellweger, Judy – WINNER

She’s back! Renée Zellweger. Picture: AP

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA

Christian Bale, Ford V Ferrari

Antonio Banderas, Pain and Glory

Adam Driver, Marriage Story

Joaquin Phoenix, Joker – WINNER

Jonathan Pryce, The Two Popes

Joaquin Phoenix. Picture: AP

BEST MOTION PICTURE – MUSICAL OR COMEDY

Dolemite Is My Name (Netflix)

Jojo Rabbit

Knives Out

Once Upon A Time In Hollywood – WINNER

Rocketman

BEST MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA

1917 – WINNER

The Irishman (Netflix)

Joker

Marriage Story (Netflix)

The Two Popes (Netflix)

BEST SCREENPLAY – MOTION PICTURE

Quentin Tarantino – Once Upon A Time In Hollywood – WINNER

Noah Baumbach – Marriage Story

Bong Joon Ho, Han Jin Won – Parasite

Anthony McCarten – The Two Popes

Steven Zaillian – The Irishman

Quentin Tarantino accepting the award for Best Screenplay for Once Upon A Time In Hollywood. Picture: AP

Best TV Series, Drama

Big Little Lies

The Crown 

Killing Eve

Morning Wars

Succession – WINNER

The cast and producers of Succession. Picture: Getty Images

Best Actress in a TV Series, Drama

Jennifer Aniston, Morning Wars

Olivia Colman, The Crown – WINNER

Jodie Comer, Killing Eve

Nicole Kidman, Big Little Lies

Reese Witherspoon, Morning Wars

Olivia Colman, left, accepting the award for best actress in a drama series for The Crown from presenter Zoe Kravitz. Picture: AP

Best Actor in a TV Series, Drama

Brian Cox, Succession – WINNER

Kit Harington, Game of Thrones

Rami Malek, Mr. Robot

Tobias Menzies, The Crown

Billy Porter, Pose

Brian Cox of media-set drama, Succession. Picture: AP

Best TV Series, Musical or Comedy

Barry

Fleabag – WINNER

The Kominsky Method

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

The Politician

The cast and crew of Fleabag. Picture: AP

Best Actress in a TV Series, Musical or Comedy

Christina Applegate, Dead to Me

Rachel Brosnahan, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

Kirsten Dunst, On Becoming a God in Central Florida

Natasha Lyonne, Russian Doll

Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Fleabag – WINNER

Phoebe Waller-Bridge. Picture: AP

Best Actor in a TV Series, Musical or Comedy

Michael Douglas, The Kominsky Method

Bill Hader, Barry

Ben Platt, The Politician

Paul Rudd, Living with Yourself

Ramy Youssef, Ramy – WINNER

Ramy Youssef. Picture: AP

Best Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for TV

Catch-22

Chernobyl – WINNER

Fosse/Verdon

The Loudest Voice

Unbelievable

Sam Mendes, far left, was named Best Director for the film 1917. Picture: AP

Best Actor in a Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television

Christopher Abbott, Catch-22

Sacha Baron Cohen, The Spy

Russell Crowe, The Loudest Voice – WINNER (Crowe did not attend)

Jared Harris, Chernobyl

Sam Rockwell, Fosse/Verdon

Best Actress in a Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television

Kaitlyn Dever, Unbelievable

Joey King, The Act

Helen Mirren, Catherine the Great

Merritt Wever, Unbelievable

Michelle Williams, Fosse/Verdon – WINNER

Michelle Williams. Picture: AP

Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television

Alan Arkin, The Kominsky Method

Kieran Culkin, Succession

Andrew Scott, Fleabag

Stellan Skarsgard, Chernobyl – WINNER

Henry Winkler, Barry

Stellan Skarsgard. Picture: AP

Best Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Motion Picture made for Television

Patricia Arquette, The Act – WINNER

Helena Bonham Carter, The Crown

Toni Collette, Unbelievable

Meryl Streep, Big Little Lies

Emily Watson, Chernobyl

Originally published as Golden Globes 2020: Russell Crowe sends emotional statement about bushfires as Ricky Gervais delivers savage monologue