Screen veteran Helen Mirren is the toast of Tinseltown after winning two of the main prizes at this year's Golden Globes. The 61-year-old performer, who was honoured for her appearances in The Queen and Elizabeth I, paid a heartfelt tribute to the British monarch when she collected the first award.
"In 1952 a woman called Elizabeth Windsor at the age of 25 walked into literally the role of a lifetime, and I honestly feel this award belongs to her because I think you fell in love with her not with me," she said.
On what was to be a big night for the UK's leading lights, her Elizabeth I co-star Jeremy Irons was also named best supporting actor. London-born Emily Blunt took home the trophy for best supporting actress in a TV production, for her role in Gideon's Daughter, while Bill Nighy was recognised for his work in the same film.
Fellow Brit Hugh Laurie's portrayal of maverick medic Dr Gregory House earned him the best actor in a TV drama gong, while Sacha Baron Cohen scooped the trophy for best actor in a musical or comedy. The English comedian left the audience in stitches when he referred to the two golden globes he encountered while filming the infamous nude wrestling scene in Borat.
Other winners included Martin Scorsese, who was named best director for The Departed, and Meryl Streep, who won best comedy actress for her turn in The Devil Wears Prada. Newcomer Jennifer Hudson was likewise basking in glory after collecting a best supporting actress gong for her role in Dreamgirls. The much-talked-about drama also took the honours for best musical, while its leading man Eddie Murphy was presented with an acting gong, too.
And although The Queen remained the big story of the night, it lost out on the coveted best movie award to the international drama Babel. The prize for best actor meanwhile went to another sovereign of sorts - The Last King Of Scotland actor Forest Whitaker, who was recognised for his portrayal of Ugandan dictator Idi Amin.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
