Samuel Johnson looks unrecognisable during frantic speech at 6th AACTA Awards

AN UNRECOGNISABLE Samuel Johnson has accepted an AACTA for his portrayal of Molly Meldrum with a frantic speech.

AN UNRECOGNISABLE Samuel Johnson has accepted an AACTA Award for his portrayal of Molly Meldrum with a frantic speech and a fashion faux pas.

Winning the gong in the Best Actor in a Television Series category for his turn as Meldrum in the Seven telemovie Molly, Johnson ran up to the stage with a long white cable hanging from his pocket.

Johnson winds his phone charger back up into his pocket.

“I’ve got my phone charger hanging out of my pocket!” Johnson, who looked unrecognisable with a freshly shaved head, pointed out to the audience.

The actor, who was visibly surprised by his win, kept things short with a rather frantic speech.

“I had to perform a variety of unconscionable acts to secure this role,” he joked to the audience.

Samuel Johnson looking rather different in 2015.

“More than is usual. But although I mostly regretted the preparation, I’m starting to feel like it was all worth it. Thank you to Molly for backing me in and ...”

He paused before suddenly ending his speech. “I should have worked out a speech,” he closed before running off to the wrong side of the stage.

The 37-year-old star seemed pretty happy to take home the award, given his announcement earlier this year that he was giving up acting to focus on raising money for cancer. Despite the accolade, he ruled out a return to acting anytime in the near future.

Raising money and awareness is his “business” now until further notice, he told News Corp after accepting the award.

“I’m still beating the drum for cancer and flying the flag for medical research,” he said.

His efforts have raised some $4 million so far, he said.

While he won’t be accepting any roles in the mid-term, Johnson left the door open to a return in the future.

“Maybe they’ll let me back in some day. Later down the track, once I’m done with this business. I’ve been a rat bag though - I’ve burnt many bridges in my time.”

But with a swag of critically acclaimed roles under his belt, it’s unlikely a return would be turned down.

Originally published as Samuel Johnson looks unrecognisable during frantic speech at 6th AACTA Awards