GQ Men of the Year Awards 2024: Comedians roast famous guests

Two popular comedians did not hold back while hosting the GQ Awards in Sydney, poking fun at the many famous faces in the room.

Comedians Tim McDonald and Melanie Bracewell stole the show at the GQ Men of the Year Awards in Sydney, cracking up the crowd with jokes about many of the famous faces in the room.

The stars of Channel 10’s The Cheap Seats hosted the glitzy ceremony on Wednesday night which was held at Sydney’s White Bay Power Station.

Some of the big name attendees included Sam and Lara Worthington, American actor Cooper Koch, radio star Jackie O, country singer Orville Peck and lead singer of the 1975, Matty Healy.

McDonald and Bracewell got the show off to a cracking start with a hilarious opening monologue. Here are some of their best lines.

McDonald: Tonight is all about honouring the unsung heroes.

Bracewell: Yes, hot, rich, successful people. Tonight we honour the next generation of Aussie talent … and where better to do that than right here …

McDonald: At a 112-year-old decommissioned power station. Some of you may recognise us from Channel 10 …

Bracewell: Which was also decommissioned in 1984.

Melanie Bracewell. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Tim McDonald. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

McDonald: A lot of outstanding people are here tonight.

Bracewell:[social media stars] The Inspired Unemployed are here.

McDonald: You mean Jack and Falcon?

Bracewell: No, sorry, Osher Gunsberg and Daniel Ricciardo.

McDonald: Jackie O is here tonight.

Bracewell: Jackie O released a book this year, and that’s so exciting. Finally, someone that talks about her life for five hours every day was ready to share her story.

McDonald: In all seriousness, Jackie’s book bravely recounts her struggles with addiction … to Prada handbags and 20 year old men.

Bracewell: And just for the influencers in the room, a ‘book’ is like a really long Instagram caption.

Jackie O. Picture: Wendell Teodoro/Getty Images

Cody Simpson and Emma McKeon. Picture: Wendell Teodoro/Getty Images

MORE:Jackie O: My ‘soulless’ $11m deal during addiction

The hosts also got a big belly laugh later in the night as they presented an award.

“The next award is for International Sensation,” McDonald said.

“Which is also the name of my conditioner,” Bracewell joked.

Who won the awards?

The night belonged to actor Sam Worthington who was named Man of the Year at the GQ Men of the Year awards in association with Defender.

The Avatar star was presented the award by his wife, Lara, who revealed that she was asked to photograph her husband for the GQ MOTY cover.

“Over weeks I created mood boards of actors and artists that I know Sam loves and is inspired by,” she said on stage.

“I went back and forth thinking, should I shoot it on film or digital? What location? How many days would we need?

“I had it all planned out and it was perfect,” she said, before declaring that her hard work ultimately proved pointless on the day of the shoot.

“Sam gave me less than an hour and said he would only wear his own clothes,” she said, eliciting a big laugh from the crowd.

“My husband is impulsive, fearless and raw. He just dives in, and did not care about my mood boards.”

Earlier, Sam had an awkward red carpet moment when he jumped in to correct a Seven reporter’s gaffe, referring to his wife Lara by her maiden name.

Sam Worthington and Lara Worthington at the 2024 GQ Australia Men Of The Year Awards. Picture: Wendell Teodoro/Getty Images

Some of the other winners included:

Actor of the Year – Felix Mallard

International Sensation – Gabbriette

Sportsperson of the Year – Emma McKeon

Sporting Icon – Eddie Betts

International Actor – Cooper Koch

Breakthrough Sportsperson of the Year – Noemie Fox

International Musician of the Year – Orville Peck

Other highlights from the ceremony

Orville Peck delighted the crowd with a hilarious speech as he accepted his award on stage.

“Some of you may know me as Orville Peck, the country star, and some of you may know me as the yodelling poof who wears a mask,” he said. “Either way, I’m very happy to be here.”

The queer country pop star also raved about the local talent.

“I really love Australia … you gave us (AFL player) Bailey Smith, Chris Hemsworth and Hugh Jackman, so on behalf of gay people everywhere, thank you very much,” he joked.

Orville Peck. Picture: Wendell Teodoro/Getty Images

Cooper Koch. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

Cooper Koch also gave a sweet speech when accepting his award.

The actor, who recently played Erik Menendez in the Netflix series, Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, paid tribute to the incarcerated brothers.

“I really want to thank Erik and Lyle and all child sexual abuse victims for their strength and their courage,” he said. “You are not alone, and I hope that we can bring them (Erik and Lyle) home in 2025.”

The GQ MOTY 2024 issue of GQ Australia will be on sale on Friday December 13, as a glossy special edition magazine available exclusively in The Australian.