Screen Actors Guild Awards Acceptance Speech Transcripts ..., Summaries of Acting

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Screen Actors Guild Awards Acceptance Speech Transcripts TABLE OF CONTENTS INAUGURAL SCREEN ACTORS GUILD AWARDS ...........................................................................................2 2ND ANNUAL SCREEN ACTORS GUILD AWARDS .........................................................................................6 3RD ANNUAL SCREEN ACTORS GUILD AWARDS ...................................................................................... 11 4TH ANNUAL SCREEN ACTORS GUILD AWARDS ....................................................................................... 15 5TH ANNUAL SCREEN ACTORS GUILD AWARDS ....................................................................................... 20 6TH ANNUAL SCREEN ACTORS GUILD AWARDS ....................................................................................... 24 7TH ANNUAL SCREEN ACTORS GUILD AWARDS ....................................................................................... 28 8TH ANNUAL SCREEN ACTORS GUILD AWARDS ....................................................................................... 32 9TH ANNUAL SCREEN ACTORS GUILD AWARDS ....................................................................................... 36 10TH ANNUAL SCREEN ACTORS GUILD AWARDS ..................................................................................... 42 11TH ANNUAL SCREEN ACTORS GUILD AWARDS ..................................................................................... 48 12TH ANNUAL SCREEN ACTORS GUILD AWARDS ..................................................................................... 54 13TH ANNUAL SCREEN ACTORS GUILD AWARDS ..................................................................................... 59 14TH ANNUAL SCREEN ACTORS GUILD AWARDS ..................................................................................... 65 15TH ANNUAL SCREEN ACTORS GUILD AWARDS ..................................................................................... 70 16th ANNUAL SCREEN ACTORS GUILD AWARDS ...................................................................................... 75 17th ANNUAL SCREEN ACTORS GUILD AWARDS ...................................................................................... 81 18th ANNUAL SCREEN ACTORS GUILD AWARDS ...................................................................................... 87 19th ANNUAL SCREEN ACTORS GUILD AWARDS ...................................................................................... 92 20th ANNUAL SCREEN ACTORS GUILD AWARDS ...................................................................................... 98 21st ANNUAL SCREEN ACTORS GUILD AWARDS .................................................................................... 105 22nd ANNUAL SCREEN ACTORS GUILD AWARDS ................................................................................... 111 23rd ANNUAL SCREEN ACTORS GUILD AWARDS.................................................................................... 117 24th ANNUAL SCREEN ACTORS GUILD AWARDS .................................................................................... 123 25TH ANNUAL SCREEN ACTORS GUILD AWARDS 127 Screen Actors Guild Awards Page 2 of 132 Acceptance Speeches Transcripts INAUGURAL SCREEN ACTORS GUILD AWARDS 1. Tom Hanks Film — Forrest Gump Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role Thank you. Thank you. I love that this man is holding the masks of comedy and tragedy. They’re both so hard to do and actually they’re almost mirror images of each other. Both of them will make you lose sleep, question your motives, wonder why you’re there, wonder why you’re doing this in the first place. But if you’re crazy enough to want to do that in a medium that never lets you forget you were there in the first place. That lives forever. You can get one of these: a Screen Actors Guild card. I got mine for the pilot of Bosom Buddies. My wife got hers for playing a cheerleader on the Brady Bunch. We’ve all got our wonderful stories and our wonderful memories that are connected with this. If you’re lucky enough you get to work in an ensemble with Gary Sinise, Mykelti Williamson, and Sally Field. And get to work under the guidance of Steve Starkey, Wendy Finerman, Bob Zemeckis, Eric Roth. If you’re really lucky you get to be singled out with Morgan Freeman, Tim Robbins, John Travolta, with Paul Newman. I say I’m the luckiest man in the world because I’ve got the most gorgeous wife, who I would say is Miss SAG of 1982. I’m not sure, but you get to have a moment like this in front of all you, my peers. Thank you, thank you. 1. Jodie Foster Film — Nell Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role [was not in attendance] 1. Martin Landau Film — Ed Wood Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role This has been an amazing year for me. You know I have to thank Tim Burton for seeing me in this part when I didn’t see myself in the part. He said there was no other actor he wanted for this part… and it’s great to get a part where audiences can laugh a little, cry a little and maybe think a little. And it was a great honor to play this actor who is really gifted. It was sort of homage to actors. I joined SAG in 1952. It wasn’t my first union. My first was Equity and then AFTRA because it was live television. So I started in theatre and went to live television… and then I became a film actor by default. In that I was doing Sigma Core films and stuff like that in New York. And, uh, it’s been a long trip. There are 78,000 actor members of SAG. This is a very meaningful thing to me because it’s my peers and I love actors, I care about actors, they are my life. Ten years ago, there were casting directors who wouldn’t see me, agents that wouldn’t represent me and I know how tough it is to get a job and then when you get a job to do the job well. It’s a tough, tough life: peaks and valleys, life and career. This is a peak and I gotta say, I hope I live long enough to work with every one of those 78,000 people. 1. Dianne Wiest Film – Bullets Over Broadway Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role [was not in attendance] Screen Actors Guild Awards Page 5 of 132 Acceptance Speeches Transcripts Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series HENRY SIMMONS: I guess I’ve been elected. We’ve been through a lot as a cast together, if you can imagine to get the floods and fires, and earthquakes, Donald Wildmen, David Carnos departure… but we’re here and I guess that’s the important thing. We would all like to thank Steven Bochco for obvious reasons. David Milch, Greg Hoblit, Mike Robbin, Jenny Laurie, Alexis Noblo, our cast and our wonderful crew. Thank you very much. 1. Television – Friends Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series JERRY SEINFELD: Yeah, I know it’s hard to believe in a town with this much plastic surgery that you can even give out a SAG Award. But, I always open with a joke. This is really, really something to be honored as an ensemble because I know I speak for all of us when I say we, we take our group work very seriously. We love to work together and before each show we all kind of get together and hold hands. We love to work together and so we’re really glad to be honored in this way. Thank you very much. 1. George Burns SAG Lifetime Achievement Award Thank you. Thank you very much. Now I’m gonna do something that’s not easy to do. I’m gonna sit down. Screen Actors Guild Awards Page 6 of 132 Acceptance Speeches Transcripts 2ND ANNUAL SCREEN ACTORS GUILD AWARDS 2. Nicolas Cage Film — Leaving Las Vegas Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role Thank you very much. I hope that [indicates The Actor® statuette] doesn’t fall down. I wanted to talk a little bit about the fact that when I was fifteen years old, I’ll never forget going into the new Beverly Cinema and seeing James Dean in East of Eden for the first time trying to give Raymond Massey, who played his dad, the money he made from the Massey and refusing to accept it. I was heartbroken. I empathized. It was like a medium to me at that age. And, it was at that moment I knew I wanted to be an actor. No song, sculpture, painting, concert ever affected me as much as that. And how many of us can mark periods in our lives the memories of great performances such as Lon Chaney in Phantom of the Opera, Clint Eastwood as Dirty Harry, and Betty Davis in All About Eve, and Jack Nicholson in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. How many great performers are still out there struggling, dying for their craft. I respect all of them. I respect all of you. I didn’t go to college. This is my university and I’m going to have to consider this award to be my degree. I’m honored to accept it. Thank you. Let me thank my beautiful wife, my mother and my grandmother. Thank you very much. 2. Susan Sarandon Film — Dead Man Walking Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role Thank you, thank you actors. This is so, so great to get out of my seat for a change. It’s really disorienting and I have some people I’m going to thank in case I never get out of my seat again. First of all, thank you all for including me with all these great lucky actors that had a chance to have a good part this year. I’d like to thank Sister Helen Prejean for living her life, for trusting us with her life into our lives. I’d like to thank Arleen Donovan for showing me the book. I’d like to thank my dear friend Sam Cohn and Eileen Goldsmith for forcing people to make it. I’d like to thank PolyGram and Working Title, Tim Evans and Michelle Hume, Russell Swaite, Allen Leyer for giving us $4.95 to make it. And Sean Penn, for his intelligence, his humor, his courage and his hair do. Half of this is definitely yours. And finally, most importantly the writer, director, and my partner in crime, Tim Robbins, for putting aside his project to do this one, for writing such a brilliant script and putting humanity first. And giving everybody on every side of this issue a human face for his incredible vision and dedication to that vision without which no one would have anything. To put it in hockey terms, I just kept hitting the post until you came in to assist. Thank you very much. 2. Ed Harris Film — Apollo 13 Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role Thank you all. I just love to act. I really do. I keep thinking there’s something else I’ll get good at. I just keep trying to get better and thank you for this. Screen Actors Guild Awards Page 7 of 132 Acceptance Speeches Transcripts It gives me chance to thank a really great group of actors. Tom Hanks, Bill Paxton, Kevin Bacon were all prepared to go up to the moon while a group of about 40 of us were in mission control working four or five weeks at Universal Pictures. And this was a great group of actors. Ron Howard assembled a great group of guys and we worked really hard together. And, I hope a lot of them are watching this because this is for you guys as well as me. I am really appreciative – talk about support. This was – I just can’t tell you how hard we worked together and how much we wanted the film to work. Some of these guys are on the screen for all of two seconds but they were there every day all day long working their butts off. I have to thank Brian Grazer and Ron Howard. I’ve got to thank my beautiful wife Amy. I’ve also got to thank God and Mother Earth for the precious gift of life. Thank you. 2. Kate Winslet Film – Sense and Sensibility Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role [was not in attendance] 2. Film – Apollo 13 Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture TOM HANKS: Thank you, we are delighted. Our ensemble effort on camera was rooted in the research that we did and the reality of the ensemble efforts of thousands of Americans. Men, women, and children who in the decade of the 1960s figured out a way to send a man to the moon and return him safely to Earth. Thank you for recognizing our efforts, and also their efforts by way of dedication, I think. On behalf of all the cast, let me say that a man by the name of Chris Kraft was to America’s manned lunar project what a certain man by the name of Ron Howard was to the filming of Apollo 13. We salute you and we salute our fellow actors. Thank you very much. 2. Alfre Woodard Television — The Piano Lesson, Hallmark Hall of Fame Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries Oh my, Oh wow. I have to put this down, this is really heavy – is it going to fall? Thanks, thanks, just like thank you Screen Actors Guild, all of my friends, all my … I have to remind myself that this is going out to millions. I see my friends here tonight and we’re so used to cutting up together and the suits out here, except the suits we like – so I have to behave myself. But I am just so psyched. This is like really, really excellent. Thank you so much. I am so grateful that my life has led me to this community of people. I can’t imagine spending my life in any other industry. We’re vagabonds, clowns, queens, crackpots. You are my friends. You are my partners. There is no performance I think I have ever done that has been a vacuum. We are only as good as we are to each other and I just... I’m so happy and thrilled. I want to remind us that we must never judge ourselves by other people’s opinion of us. We got to find some way… searching to come to a respect and love and an honesty about ourselves, about our craft. And to all of us, many of us, for most who are at home, who are never working, who are seldom working, who are not just trying to fashion a career, just trying to pay the rent. You hang in there, keep the faith and celebrate that fact right now. Screen Actors Guild Awards Page 10 of 132 Acceptance Speeches Transcripts LISA KUDROW: Jennifer Anniston MATTHEW PERRY: Jennifer Aniston, I know! Couldn’t be here tonight because they’re doing publicity for the show and thank God for that! Because we’ve got to get a way to get this show out there to let people know that it’s about friends that drink coffee and say funny things. But ah, we’re honored to be honored by you all – the actors and wow! Okay. 2. Robert Redford SAG Lifetime Achievement Award The biggest reason I’m honored is that I think that probably the most meaningful award at least to me is an award where your voted on or celebrated by your peers. And that’s what this seems to be, so I couldn’t be more honored. As for the award itself, I feel mixed brain about something that says Lifetime Achievement when I think my life is still going and my work is a work in progress. So, it’s kind of hard to know how to be with this except to be flattered and to be honored and to thank you. And to say that I will accept this in the spirit in which its given and use it as support to keep going. Thank you. And thank you Tom. Screen Actors Guild Awards Page 11 of 132 Acceptance Speeches Transcripts 3RD ANNUAL SCREEN ACTORS GUILD AWARDS 3. Geoffrey Rush Film — Shine Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role Thank you very much, Screen Actors Guild. The scenario for me is someone shakes me on the shoulder and says wake up and realize I’m in shorts on my sofa in the middle of summer in my back room. And they tell me I wake up and say, a little bit like a cloved cat really, end up on the ceiling jittering and then I come down. So I had this weird dream I was in a tuxedo. I was nominated with Woody, Ray, Tom, and Billy Bob and they laugh at me. To all you guys, to be in your company, I can’t quite express what this means. However transitory it might be I hope we as a group, on behalf of all actors here tonight, in some way represent the diversity of continuing film making globally in some small way. They tell me that this [indicates The Actor® statuette] weighs 10 pounds. 96.67 of it goes to Noah and Alex, who played young David Helfgott. Thanks to Scott Hicks and Jan Sardia for allowing me to work with actors like Lynn Redgrave, Armin Mueller-Stahl, and John Cousins. And I just wanted to add that I have said to David Helfgott himself, that he does have my permission whole heartily to get up and do me at parties. Thank you. 3. Frances McDormand Film — Fargo Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role Oh, thank you. I’m unemployed at the moment so this really exciting. As all we actors know, no performance is without collaboration. And I could name every single crew member and actor on Fargo, but we all followed two men: Joel and Ethan Coen of Minnesota and North Dakota for inspiration and forgave them and probably did some of our best work. Two of my goals as an actor are to confound expectations and to gain the respect of my peers. And if that’s what you’re telling me tonight, thank you very much. I am very grateful. 3. Cuba Gooding Jr. Film – Jerry McGuire Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role [was not in attendance] 3. Lauren Bacall Film – The Mirror Has Two Faces Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role [was not in attendance] 3. Film – The Birdcage Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture [was not in attendance] Screen Actors Guild Awards Page 12 of 132 Acceptance Speeches Transcripts 3. Kathy Bates Television – The Late Shift Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series I am so proud to be here, so proud to be an actor. And I would like to say how proud I was to be nominated with Anne Bancroft, Stockard Channing, Sicily Tyson, and the amazing, elegant, and courageous Jenna Malone. I would also like to thank HBO for taking risks and Ivan Rightmont for his patience and Betty Thomas for believing in me. And I would finally also like to pay tribute to the memory of Helen Cutshnik, whose life inspired the work. This is for you. 3. Alan Rickman Television – Rasputin Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series [was not in attendance] 3. Gillian Anderson Television – The X-Files Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series I’m going to read. This is something that our creator Chris Carter has written and something I’m supposed to perform tomorrow and obviously I’m not prepared. That what can be imagined can be achieved. That you must dare to dream, but there is no substitute for perseverance and hard work and teamwork because no one gets there alone. While we commemorate the greatness of these events and the individuals who achieve them, we cannot forget the sacrifice of those who made these achievements possible. With that in mind, there are a few people I would like to thank. First and foremost David Duchovny, my cohort in crime. Without you I wouldn’t be here. You amaze me. Connie Friedberg, my manager, without whose voice of reason, humanity, humility, and comic relief I would not be standing here today. Michelle Stern, Peter Livingston my two agents who have been busting their respective balls, butts – sorry – on my behalf and to gratefully comprehend that no means no. Randy Stone, a friend and a genius in my eyes, who casts the show. And last but certainly not least, our crew. We have been blessed with the most creative, hard-working ballsy – see I said it twice- collection of human beings that anyone could ever dream of having on their team and this is for all of you. Thank you. 3. Dennis Franz Television – NYPD Blue Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series I do, I owe you money Jimmy Smits, Jimmy Smits, Jimmy Smits. I’m not going to screw his name up this time. Um, you know this gets a little overwhelming and I thank you so very much. I have the pleasure of working with that guy that I admire so very, very much on a daily basis and it’s a blessing that I get to work with a guy like Jimmy everyday - and that in itself is a great reward. I would also like to acknowledge and thank our wonderful cast. I am not going to name all their names because I’ll probably forget them. Screen Actors Guild Awards Page 15 of 132 Acceptance Speeches Transcripts 4TH ANNUAL SCREEN ACTORS GUILD AWARDS 4. Jack Nicholson Film — As Good as It Gets Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role As an experiment really tried not to think of anything to say tonight. You know I get to play so many parts and I think how lucky I am. I worked for 10 years and never got more than, one dollar more than, the Screen Actors Guild minimum, not one. And I want to congratulate all the actors who worked this year. I’m kind of a patsy, I always get shook up. This movie, this movie is about a lot of things. This movie in particular, I felt, was about loving you. And I love what I do; I love all the people I get to do it with. I love Rebecca. In fact I love what we all did for Ms. Stuart tonight. I was just so happy. And you know Jim Brooks is a genius. But mainly I love Greg, Helen, all the people I worked with on this movie. Love is a word I never thought I could say in a scene. I appreciate and thank you all for this. 4. Helen Hunt Film — As Good as It Gets Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role Okay. I am a 25-year member of the Screen Actors Guild so I am very proud to get his award and to be singled out among these actresses is just unfathomable. Okay, so you get a dream part in a dream movie with your dream leading man and your dream director, who last night I heard Jim speak to the DGA and he talked about when actors stretch and that becomes a cliché for playing a part you’re not right for. But in truth that makes leaping out to some unknown and risking making a fool of yourself. And the fact that I got to work with someone who gets acting in that way, I just, it’s, it’s… an incredible, incredible thing. Then surprises like Kristi Zea and Brenda Johnson who descend and when there isn’t a woman for twenty paces and they’re there and are the goddesses of the movie. And I’d like to thank my acting teachers Gordan Hunt, Larry Moss, and Gary Austin – who I studied improv with for a million years. And the people that I studied with because the truth is that feeling that you get when working on a scene in an acting class is the feeling you get in a movie. Doing this from your heart is sort of the same thing. So I’d like to thank them. Lastly, my partner Connie Tavel, happy birthday. And my partner in life, Nathan. And lastly my publicist Steven Huvane, who everybody in this room knows how much he is responsible for this. We all know that people show up at these events because the people that we work with do their job. And mine do it in a soulful, heartful way. So I’m incredibly lucky and incredibly grateful. Thank you so much. 4. Robin Williams Film – Good Will Hunting Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role Wow! Welcome to our town. Yep, it’s been four years here in Grover’s Corner. I feel like someone’s going to come out and say, “pappa mista.” Wow, this one – nice statue in a cold room. Okay, thank Screen Actors Guild Awards Page 16 of 132 Acceptance Speeches Transcripts you. Thank you very much for this, I was sitting over there sweating like Marlon Brando after Thai food. I think you just got this off a Bentley. Thanks. I want to thank that young man over there. When I first met him I wanted to ask him for ID. I want to thank Matt Damon and Ben Affleck for writing words that kick you in the soul. I want to thank Gus Van Sant for being so mellow to turn a teamster to bet (?). I want to thank the whole ensemble Stellan, Cole, Casey, Minni, everybody who made it. It’s like jazz, you just go there and rip. Thanks to the people at South Boston because I want to go back. It’s a pisser. I want to thank that woman sitting over there who makes it very difficult to imagine life without her and this is ah… This award reminds me – they once asked Madame de Gaulle – What is the most important thing in life? She looked and said a penis. And they said Madame de Gaulle, what do you mean? And she said it’s so much better than unhappiness. So, thank you. 4. Kim Basinger [Tie] Film – L.A. Confidential Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role I’m just thrilled to be here. And wow, now I win. Thank you so much for this to all of my peers who voted for me. Part of my cast is over there [blows a kiss]. Thank you so much. Without you this would’ve never been possible. Somehow I feel I was just voted president of the class. But for recognizing me and honoring me with this. Thank you so very much. I am so grateful. 4. Gloria Stuart [Tie] Film – Titanic Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role [was not in attendance] 4. Film – The Full Monty Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture MARK ADDY: Thank you. The clothes will stay on. I am sorry to disappoint so many people at the same time. This is a tremendous surprise and a great honor. An on behalf of the cast of the Full Monty I’d like to thank everybody here. Peter Cattaneo – the director, Umburto Pasolini - the Producer, everyone at Fox Searchlight and Simon Beaufoy – the writer. And without a script like that we wouldn’t have anything to work from. Thank you. 4. Alfre Woodard Television — Miss Evers' Boys Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries Thank you. Thanks a whole lot, actors. You have been really good to me and I want you all to know I appreciate it. I do appreciate it and from… um, I get to stand up here tonight for a whole slew of people who were just acting up a storm in this movie. Laurence Fishburne and Joe Martin, are any of them here? Joe, I don’t know what I deserved to be in the middle of that sandwich but it was really nice. Obba Babatunde’, Ossie Davis – it’s like tag team acting. It was just a great time. Craig Sheffer, Thom Gossom, My good sister Donzaleigh Abernathy – we laughed a lot. I think you do that when Screen Actors Guild Awards Page 17 of 132 Acceptance Speeches Transcripts there’s so much to cry about. But I want you to know I am inspired by you and I’m just trying to keep it real. Thanks. 4. Gary Sinise Television — George Wallace Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries Thank you. YEAH! I am really nervous here. And uh, thank you Ted Turner, Brad Segal, Julie Wice, Nick Limbardo, TNT for making this movie and supporting our great director John Frankenheimer. Every time you pushed and thank you John Framkenheimer for pushing as much as you did to make this movie. My family, my beautiful wife, Morra, for your courage, your strength, your support, your love, and your friendship… thank you honey. My agent Patrick Whitsel, my manager, Jerry Harrington, for their support. We have a great cast in George Wallace: Angelina Jolie, Clarence William III, Jo Don Baker, Teri Kenny and the beautiful Mary Winningham. These actors just... I mean … Everyone in this room knows what it’s like to be around actors when they’re coming at you. It just brings up the level of your own performance and it makes everything richer and it makes you invest so much more. I have to thank all my friends and fellow actors. Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago, for the great teachers they have been throughout my artistic life. That’s been my artistic home for over 20 years. And I got to tell you, just being in this room and looking at these people. Everyone in here has been a teacher to me. Jack Nicholson, I mean Jack Nicholson… you’re here man! He’s here! Jack, you’re here man. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, I mean Chinatown, Last Detail. Robert Duvall, Dustin Hoffman, these people have excited a riot with in me and made me want to be an actor. Many of you people. I’ve learned so very much. Thank you. 4. Julianna Margulies Television – ER Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series I just learned a really important lesson tonight – to try the shoes on before you actually come to the award ceremony. Thank you so much, this is such an honor coming from my peers, to the women who were nominated along with me. I’m overwhelmed; I wasn’t expecting this at all. I have an incredible cast to thank. They have incredibly mastered the art of throwing the line away on our show. Which I think most actors would agree is possible the hardest thing to do. And you are so brilliant to work with. I have to give special thanks to my partner in crime, George Clooney. Who, although is not here tonight, really allows me to be free with my acting and gives me so much space. It’s a joy to work with you. George, wherever you are. To my incredible agent, Steve Dottenville – I would go on but Alfre Woodard really said it all at the Golden Globes, so I just second her emotions. Carrie Ross for her guidance and the writers and the producers, Lydia Woodward, Carol Flint … there’s too many people. You’re all wonderful. My family, I couldn’t be here tonight without you. And my true inspiration, I love you and thank you Ron. 4. Anthony Edwards Television – ER Screen Actors Guild Awards Page 20 of 132 Acceptance Speeches Transcripts 5TH ANNUAL SCREEN ACTORS GUILD AWARDS 5. Roberto Benigni Film — Life Is Beautiful Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role Thank you. mamma mia! Thank you. Now, I never lost. Because I want to share this with Nick Nolte, Tom Hanks, Joe Fiennes, Ian McKellan. I really learned so much from them that I owe them. This is yours because I learned so much from them. I love you so much… This is really a pleasure, I don’t know, now, maybe I’ve lost because they’ve asked me to work in the United States with this English… I ‘m really afraid… I married a pregnant woman really… for me so deep because now, now I have to do more… So typically there is proof, the proof is Nicoletta Braschi that I married. If I was able to marry her, this means I was really a good actor. This is the proof I am a good actor. Cause actors, they are never alone. So when Nicoletta Braschi and the actors come on and shooting with me. Without them I couldn’t act. They are to me this light, this sky. I have to be thankful that I have this prize for my movie, everything. I am so full of joy that my body is steering everything, every organ in my body is moving in a very bad way and I cannot, I can’t…Full of joy, I don’t deserve so much. Anyway, joy delights joy, exuberance is beauty. 5. Gwynth Paltrow Film — Shakespeare in Love Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role It’s so heavy, my God. I really, Kate I thought you were going to get it. I was positive, I really, I haven’t prepared anything. Thank you so much. Thank you so much. This is such an honor. To be recognized by my peers and you’ll never know quite what this means to me. There are many people to thank. Starting with Miramax Films, Harvey Weinstein especially. John Madden, the most talented director ever in the history of the whole world. Our extraordinary cast: Simon, Joseph, Judi, Geoffrey and to everybody, the best cast ever. And especially Ben Affleck, my great friend. I would like to thank my agent, Rick Kurtsman, who took me on when I hadn’t done anything and had such faith in me – thank you so much. I would like to thank Steven Bain and Harold Brown and Stuart Gellnard. I would like to dedicate this award to the most beautiful profound actor that I know, my mother, Blythe Danner is the reason I wanted to do this. Mommy I love you so much. Thank you so much. 5. Robert Duvall Film – A Civil Action Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role [was not in attendance] 5. Kathy Bates Film – Primary Colors Screen Actors Guild Awards Page 21 of 132 Acceptance Speeches Transcripts Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role Wow, I didn’t expect this. I thought that when they asked me to do the first thing that I lost. Thank you so much, this is such a thrill. It was a dream of mine to work with Mike Nichols and that it could have been this role is just the icing on the cake. I’d like to thank all the actors in this room, and there are many. I’m so excited to get to sit at the same table with Meryl Streep. This is so great. Thank you to my agent, Susan, who is here, Nancy Selder, all of you. Thank you Screen Actors Guild. 5. Film – Shakespeare in Love Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture RUPERT EVERETT: I don’t know why they asked me to do the talking. But when Harry Weinstein called me up and said we’re making Shakespeare in Love and you’d make a perfect Marlowe, I took on a faraway glazed look. And Harvey, I said, I’m born to play Shakespeare. But unfortunately not this season. And thanks to Harvey’s sheer magnetism and subtle power of persuasion I can now say with great pride I am Marlowe. And I feel very lucky to be involved in such a fantastic movie. So on behalf of the cast: Colin Firth, Ben Affleck, Jim Carter, Martin Clunes, Tony Sher, Imelda Staunton, Tom Wilkinson we all thank you, Geoffrey Rush sorry. Um, John Madden for giving each and every one of us the opportunity to have a moment of our own in the film. To Marc Norman and Tom Stoppard for a fantastic screenplay and Harvey for making the film and for making it such an event. And to the Screen Actors Guild, thank you. 5. Angelina Jolie Television – Gia Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series I just want to thank everybody involved with this production. It’s such an amazing group of people who are now my friends. This film really meant so much to me. It changed me and she meant so much to me. When I was working I kept wondering what was different about us that makes us go in such different directions. She didn’t have a place to express herself and feel she was sharing and connecting to anybody, and I do. You’ve given me that. And thank you so much. Thank you to everybody because you’re just do amazing to me. All of you, thank you. 5. Christopher Reeves Television – Rear Window Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series [was not in attendance] 5. Juliana Marguiles Television – ER Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series Screen Actors Guild Awards Page 22 of 132 Acceptance Speeches Transcripts Thank you so much. This is such an honor from the members of the Screen Actors Guild. And it’s a wonderful opportunity for me to publicly think my soul mate on the show for the past five years, George Clooney, who I wouldn’t be up here without. And he’s really responsible for a lot of my work on that show. And to my incredible parents, all three of you. I’ve never properly thanked you and from the bottom of my heart, I so appreciate your support. To this amazing cast I get to work with and all the unit producers and directors there is like 18,000 of you and your all especially brilliant and talented and I can’t name you all but I swear I’ll write you all little notes tomorrow. To my dream team Elaine Cashin and Steve Dottenville, Ron West, Carrie ??? your belief in me is overwhelming and very appreciated. To my beautiful inspiration, a man that is more talented than I could ever dream to be, Ron Nelsar, you are my angel. Thanks. 5. Sam Waterston Television – Law & Order Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series I couldn’t be more surprised even though I’ve tried to pretend that prizes don’t really surprises to be kind of moved because it reminds me of how much you have to be grateful for. And some of the people I have to be grateful for are here in this room: Jenny, Steve, and Angie and Ben and Jeff. Who’d I leave out? Ed, Dick, Renee all the writers. But listen…. Oh I know, here’s the list of people, here’s the list of people whose shoulders we stand on: Richard Brooks, Carey Lowell, Michael Moriarty, Jill Hennessey, Chris Noth, Paul Sorvino, George Dzundza, Dann Florek and all the New York actors who made our life interesting and work worth dealing. And the only other person who is missing tonight is my wife, who I wish was here because that’s the whole thing really. Thanks. 5. Tracey Ullman Television – Tracey Takes On Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series Wow, bloody heavy huh? Well, I’m surprised. Thank you so much my fellow thespians. I can’t believe it, I’m thrilled a bit gosh. I just want to thank my lovely husband, Alan, who’s sitting over there, who makes me get out of bed and do this. And HBO because the y let me be true and spontaneous and they don’t mess with me – which is what all of us want, isn’t it so? Um, all my lovely cast and crew, the wonderful actors that help me every week. I’m usually my own ensemble love. But Julie Kasner, Michael Tucker, Michael McKeen, Cheet Marlin, everybody who helped me. My lovely kids Mable and Johnny watching this at home, Meryl Streep, my friend in the audience. I won thank God, the kids will be so pleased. Thank you. 5. Michael J. Fox Television – Spin City Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series [was not in attendance] 5. Television – ER Screen Actors Guild Awards Page 25 of 132 Acceptance Speeches Transcripts I just was reminded of the other performances when I was up there watching; and Chloë’s at my table and she’s so amazing to me – and it always feels funny that we’re in competition. I just can’t believe I’m standing here right now in front of everybody. I can’t believe we were able to do this film. I love being an actor so much. I was able to have this experience where we could be so brave and so open with each other – and I hope that’s how I can live my life. I hope that’s how we can all accept each other. Lisa was and is alive. I hope to meet her and I hope she’s okay with this. She’s a beautiful person and I love you just as you are. I don’t think you need any help because I know deep down you just want to be a good person and so do I. I just want to thank my family for being so supportive, for loving me and being so wonderful. My friends: Geyer, Janine and Rochelle – we love you. My brother, and everybody. Sorry I went on for so long and thank you so much. This means so much to me! 6. Film — American Beauty Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture PETER GALLAGHER: From all of us, thank you for this grand recognition. Thora, why don’t you keep this till May 15th and give it to Mena. I was elected to speak for this fortunate group – I assume for reasons of seniority – but Annette reminded me that I am The King. I’m The King, of real estate, anyway. I think I can safely say that from the time we opened this script — and for a long, long time to come — we feel very fortunate. Thank you to Alan Ball for creating a world with words with room enough to welcome us all in. To Bruce and Dan for seeing the beauty in that world, and protecting it so zealously. And to Sam for casting us and being more brilliant than you can imagine. And, to DreamWorks for letting him cast us; and for protecting this movie; and ushering it out into the world so successfully. Thank you! And to our KEVIN SPACEY: To Debbie Zane for casting this movie. PETER GALLAGHER: To Debbie Zane for casting us. Yes! And to our families: our husbands, our wives, and our children. To our representatives. To everyone we’ve ever met. To Maureen Stapleton. To our fellow professionals. Thank you for recognizing the value of an ensemble and honoring us with the Screen Actors Awards. KEVIN SPACEY: We rule! We rule! Come on. PETER GALLAGHER: We rule! To ensembles everywhere! 6. Halle Berry Television – Introducing Dorothy Dandridge Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series [was not in attendance] 6. Jack Lemmon Television – Oprah Winfrey Presents: Tuesdays with Morrie Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series God, that’s heavy! And wonderful! Well, first of all, — in my 45 seconds — I would like to thank Oprah for the part of a lifetime; to Kate, one of the best producers to ever work for, and her entire staff. Kate Forte, who won the Producers Guild Award for this show. Of course to our director – who, I think did a superb job — Mick Jackson, who won the Directors Guild award last night – we’re making a sweep with this sucker. Screen Actors Guild Awards Page 26 of 132 Acceptance Speeches Transcripts Anyway, and also not only to a marvelous supporting cast. But above all to Hank Azaria, who is one of the best and most giving actors that I’ve ever worked with. I honestly feel that if it were not for what Hank gave me, I would not be up here tonight. And, I don’t deserve it any more than he does. But at any rate, I love it. Well that’s about 45 and I better cut it now - What the hell. I cannot tell you how proud I am to be a member of this Guild and I thank you for this honor. 6. Edie Falco Television – The Sopranos Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series [was not in attendance] 6. James Gandolfini Television – The Sopranos Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series Thank you very much. I want to congratulate the other gentlemen nominated. Especially, Ricky Schroder. He did a great job; he stepped into something that was tough to do and I think he did a tremendous job. I had a little time to take a vacation and I got to think about what was going on here. I just want to say I was very grateful for the last two years. Especially to the cast, the writers, David Chase, the people I got to work with. It’s been amazing and I want to thank somebody: my mother and my father. They came over from Italy; they raised 3 kids, sent them all to college — my mother is no longer with us; I miss her very much. And Dad, I love you. Thank you for everything. And to the actors out there who maybe aren’t doing so well: Things can change very quickly. Hang in there. Thank You. 6. Lisa Kudrow Television — Friends Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series Thank you so much. Gosh, thank you so much. All right, we have a lot of writers — I won’t say all their names they’re all great and they write such great stuff for all of us to do. And our producers are so great. Well, thanks actors for voting. Whoa — yeah, it’s him. Thank you so much. Thank you. And, I think most of all I have to thank Jennifer Aniston, Courtney Cox, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry and David Schwimmer. Because they’re so good that — I mean, you’re all actors, you know that it almost doesn’t matter what you do if there’s no one there that’s just as good; if not better than, making you look good. And that’s how it is for me every day. Thank you. 6. Michael J. Fox Television — Spin City Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series Thank you. You were kind enough to give me one of these last year. And just so you know, they really scare small children. My daughters won’t come near ‘em. I want to thank all the brothers and sisters in SAG and also the SAG Foundation for the terrific work they do; I have been privileged to have been involved with them in some capacity. It really is a terrific function of the Guild — as well as just looking after all of our checks. Screen Actors Guild Awards Page 27 of 132 Acceptance Speeches Transcripts I want to do something that I haven’t had a chance to do before and I’ll try to be really quick about it. But in honoring me, you really honor the actors that I’ve been privileged to work with for the last four years. I just want a chance — I’ve never really had a chance to kind of just mention them and talk about them briefly. Victoria Dillard, who when we were smart enough to give her a shot, is great and is a great team player; Sandy Chaplin who is our Juilliard graduate — in spite of that very funny; Connie Britten, who is always real and always funny and always a great friend; Allen Rock, who’s a consummate craftsman and has made lechery lovable – and, I don’t know whether that is a good thing but that’s what he’s done; Richard Kind who is like our fullback and when we’re inside the 20 we give him a joke and he just piles through and get the laugh; Michael Boatman, who’s played a gay character on our show with none of the attendant weirdness and stereotypes that heretofore have been part of that and has done — created a dignified fabulous character; Heather Locklear, who has shown what a professional is – she shows up, she takes a risk after doing it for so long and learns quickly and is fabulous; and Barry Bostwick, who like all of the greats — and he is one of the greats — still gets nervous before he does a show. I love being an actor and I love being one of you and I am just proud of this and thank you all very much. 6. Television – The Sopranos Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series TONY SIRICO: I never won anything in my life. Guys, ladies, members of the Guild, I’m honored. Thank you. VINCENT PASTORE: I’d like to say thank you to my mother and father for supporting me and uh I love everybody out there - it’s so great to be here. DOMINIC CHIANESE: I want to thank David Chase for inventing us; my wife Victoria, my parents, my brother, my children. Thank you. LORRAINE BRACCO: I want to thank my children, who I love and adore – Margo and Stella. God bless you! 6. Television — Frasier Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series PERI GILPIN: We totally did not expect this. No one knows what to say. All right. David usually talks but he’s making us talk. We are so excited. Thank you very much. It means the world coming from actors and from our fellow actors – there’s a whole lot of talent in this room. Thank you. JANE LEEVES: Thank you Chris Lloyd and Joe Keenan. DAVID HYDE PIERCE: I’m just stunned. Seeing the cast up here – I cannot – I don’t know what you people were thinking. But it’s – no, seriously. It’s an extraordinary honor. We feel like a great ensemble — but that is just great company to be in. Mahoney’s not here; Kelsey got stuck at a benefit so he couldn’t be here – we love them and we love all of you. Thanks very much. Screen Actors Guild Awards Page 30 of 132 Acceptance Speeches Transcripts And I thank David Less [sp] and Chris Hensey [sp] and my parents and my family. And I'm so truly proud to call myself — to be able to finally say — and I'm going to say it right here: I'm Alison Janney and I'm an actress. Thank you. 7. Martin Sheen Television — The West Wing Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series Oh, my, my, thanks so much. I appreciate this. How do you separate us from each other. It's not possible, Tim and James. And, God, I'm so good, I remembered those two. Ed and Anthony, thanks so much. The only thing that really separates us is age. I'm the oldest. I have fewer future opportunities, so I'll accept this with gratitude from SAG, and praise to my fellow actors. Allison gave the whole family, the "West Wing" family, thanks and praise. I can't remember my own name half the time. It's the awards season, and, you know, it's a two-edged sword. We're told to remember that the higher the monkey climbs, the more he shows his ass. So you're really seeing the worst part of me. I don't know what else to say! Oh, my, I will thank Tommy Schlamme and John Wells and Llewellyn Wells and particularly Aaron Sorkin. "The West Wing" is the creation of Aaron Sorkin. We all live in the book and volume of his imagination of his brain, and we spring forth from the measure of his heart, his compassion, his humanity. So he's the guy. When we say "West Wing" on "The West Wing," we mean Aaron Sorkin. He's the reason for our season, both one and two. Personally, I want to thank him more than anyone because of what he has given all of us all the time, every show, every week. And if he doesn't know how much we really love him, stick around, you ain't seen nothin' yet. Thanks so much. 7. Sarah Jessica Parker Television — Sex and the City Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series Jeez, I got – I got my SAG card 23 years ago, January 28th, so I've been a proud card-carrying member for so long. And I've – acting is the only thing I ever wanted to do, and really, it's because my brother, Toby, was the first actor I ever knew, and he was the one I admired most, and I just wanted to make him laugh. And I never imagined I'd have the sort of opportunities that I've had and work with the wonderful people that I've worked with and been so fortunate. And I'm so grateful that Frank Silvaggi kept me in good standing with the union. He paid my SAG – oh time's up! He paid my SAG dues every month. And I'm so grateful because I really wouldn't be here tonight if that hadn't happened. And this is – I am – this is– I consider this a great honor, and I'm incredibly grateful. And there's all these film actors in here too. So thank you for inviting myself and my cast to be part of tonight because we've enjoyed it so much and have seen so many famous people. And thank you for voting for us. Thank you, this is just an extraordinary treat. Thank you so much. 7. Robert Downey Jr. Television — Ally McBeal Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series Screen Actors Guild Awards Page 31 of 132 Acceptance Speeches Transcripts Okay, yeah, this is great, and it's my peers, and so many people here that I've learned from over the years, and this is exceptional. I've got to thank my mom, who is in Pennsylvania right now. She's the reason that I wanted to become an actor, watching her, growing up. And it seemed like, in addition to being a great mom, there was this magical thing she did, and that made me ecstatic. This is for you, Mom. I would like to thank David Kelley, of course, Pam Wisne, Bill D'Elia, Alice and the other Pam. Calista, as always, I love working with you. The rest of the cast is so great. And Peter MacNicol, my co- nominee -‹the other nominees as well. The truth is, we know this is about dedication. This about - you give your life to this. And we know what we sacrifice in order to give ourselves to this art form. And I know that Peter MacNicol, right now, has his sides for our scenes this week at the table. You got my vote, brother. 7. Television — The West Wing Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series JOHN SPENCER: Hello, I'm John Spencer. My group has elected me to talk. Janel is holding the statue. We really wanted this so badly for two reasons: first of all because it's given by you, our peers. Actors know what actors do. We've all had the same highs, we've all had the same lows. And so, thank you. And second of all, because we are an ensemble in the true sense of the word. We all carry the load. We're all in there working harder, probably than we ever had in our lives. I want to thank our friends at NBC and Warners. I want to thank our fabulous producer, John Wells, our genius and passionate Tommy Schlamme. And the real secret here is we're in there working our asses off because we are blessed with such brilliant material — and that material is given to us by Aaron Sorkin, the true genius. Thank you Aaron, thank you Aaron, thank you. 7. Eric McCormack Television — Will & Grace Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series ERIC McCORMACK: If this ensemble shines, it's because of the ensemble behind us: two producers who are best friends first and then bosses second, a room full of brilliant writers that are as close as we are, a crew that loves their jobs. A network that is supportive, a studio that is supportive and a director that kisses us on the mouth every day, it's remarkable. Remarkable. We're very lucky to have them. We're extremely lucky to have each other. And we're very grateful to the Guild for reminding us of that. Thank you. Screen Actors Guild Awards Page 32 of 132 Acceptance Speeches Transcripts 8TH ANNUAL SCREEN ACTORS GUILD AWARDS 8. Russell Crowe Film —A Beautiful Mind Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role Thanks very much, folks. You know, I’m a storyteller. We are storytellers. And ours is an ancient tradition, contemporized by the cinema and the capturing of light. And we should all be very proud of our place in society. On any given night, millions of people across the world buy a ticket for adventures that only we as storytellers can provide. We release burdens, we galvanize emotions, we make people laugh, we make people talk over breakfast. This is a great job and I want to encourage every one of you in this room to give everything you can to the story. God bless narrative. God bless originality. Good night. 8. Halle Berry Film — Monster's Ball Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role Oh, thank you so much. I am so proud to be an actor, I can’t tell you. It has saved my life. Acting has enriched my life, and it has made me learn so much about life, and I’m so proud to be here. Thank you so much to the actors for choosing me this year. Thank you. I want to thank the entire cast. Any actress knows that she is only as good as the cast that surrounds her. I want to thank Coronji Calhoun, a first-time acting job; Sean Combs; Heath Ledger; and especially Peter Boyle and Billy Bob Thornton. They are so good, and every single day they forced me to grow, to learn, and to be better at the craft of acting. And this is so much as much theirs as it is mine. I want to thank our fearless leader: our director, Marc Forster, who was amazing, and who I loved and I trusted. And he guided me through this – this work. And Ivana Chubbuck, who helped me get to the heart of who this woman was; my manager, Vincent Cirrincione; CAA; our producer, Lee Daniels; and my life partner, Eric. Thank you so much for—encouraging me to take this risk. And it has paid off big time tonight! Thank you so much! 8. Ian McKellen Film – The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role I thought I’d had my turn, folks. Thank you very, very much indeed. Best award I ever got until now was British Actors Equity, who gave me an award for Best Supporting Actor in the West End about 40 years ago. There was money involved. They actually gave you a check. Come on, Screen Actors Guild! Next year maybe… I owe this to one man, Peter Jackson, the director who invited me to try and impersonate the icon of Gandalf, and his trust. And the wonderful people he got together to support him in New Zealand—the actors, so many of them here tonight, and the crew. And to him and to SAG, many, many thanks. 8. Helen Mirren Film – Gosford Park Screen Actors Guild Awards Page 35 of 132 Acceptance Speeches Transcripts 8. Sean Hayes Television — Will & Grace Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series This is way too early in the program for me. I wasn’t really prepared. Thank you very much, you guys, for all the actors who, for whatever reason, decided I should be standing here tonight. Thank you very much. My gratitude. Wow, thank you very much. You know, it’s one thing when a fan says, “You know, I thought your performance was really great.” That means the world to me, but when an actor says, “You know, I thought maybe you were pushing a little bit”— I have to re-evaluate my entire life. Thank you very much, you guys, for all the actors who, for whatever reason, decided I should be standing here tonight. Thank you very much. My gratitude. 8. Television — The West Wing Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series ROB LOWE: Thank you. To get this award from the Screen Actors Guild – the best actors in the world – is really an honor. We have this tonight because of the protection and the vision of John Wells, Tommy Schlamme, Lou Wells, Chris Misiano and Alex Graves. We have this tonight because we serve at the pleasure of the breathtaking and brilliant Aaron Sorkin. Accomplishments done well in the collective are always so much more amazing because of the working parts that all have to come together. And this award really represents the essence of “The West Wing,” all of us coming together with one single agenda to serve the source, and to do it with the best performance we can do on a day-to-day basis. Thank you for giving it to us, and thank you for inspiring us. 8. Television – Sex and the City Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series CYNTHIA NIXON: Thank you so much. Wow! Sarah Jessica Parker has the flu and she was too sick to get on a plane, and we are so devastated that she is not here with us. She has always said that this ensemble category nomination was the best one to get. And I think that just tells you everything you need to know about her as a person. We would like to share this with our crew, the most hard- working, talented people you would ever want to meet. This evening is all about actors and how great they are, and that’s wonderful, but every actor knows that she is only as good as the stuff she gets to say, unless she’s Marcel Marceau or Lassie. And our writers are the reason our show is such a hit. Without them, we would just be standing in front of the camera barking. Finally, working for HBO is like being encouraged by the world’s most supportive parents. They never say, “Darling, you’re not really going to wear that, are you?” They say, “Gee, honey, that sounds great. Why don’t you give it a try? Here’s some money.” We are so proud and grateful to be their children and we are so proud and grateful to be receiving this award from you. Thank you so much. Screen Actors Guild Awards Page 36 of 132 Acceptance Speeches Transcripts 9TH ANNUAL SCREEN ACTORS GUILD AWARDS 9. Daniel Day-Lewis Film — Gangs of New York Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role Thank you so much for this. Forgive me if I ramble a little bit. When I was starting out, we were led to believe quite clearly that our futures, if we were lucky enough to work, were going to be in the theater. And if we did okay at that, if we were really lucky, we might get to do the classic roles. And that was the rite of passage. That was like the fiery hoop through which you had to leap if you were going to be taken seriously. And I had the right nose for that. And there were a few people who had ambitions on my behalf that wanted to dress it up in a, you know, doublet and hose, and have me strutting around. But I had a guilty secret. Because I’d seen "A Place in the Sun." I’d seen "From Here to Eternity," "On the Waterfront," "A Streetcar…", "Night of the Hunter." I’d seen all of the spaghetti westerns. I’d been to all-night "Dirty Harry" sessions. You know, it was like a group of grungy guys would emerge into the half-dawn, bleary-eyed, trying to kind of be loose-limbed and mean and taciturn. And I’d seen "French Connection," "Mean Streets," "Taxi Driver," "Raging Bull," "The Godfather." And my secret hope, my great hope, which — and at that time from where I came from, there weren’t many actors getting a chance to do this — but I wanted, if possible, to make a contribution to this tradition. And I’m so grateful that I’ve been allowed the chance to do that. From the moment I first set foot in this country, my colleagues, my fellow actors, have shown me generosity and friendship and great encouragement. I can’t thank you enough for that. I salute, with the greatest respects, my fellow nominees, both men and women, in all categories. It’s been a wonderful thing to be included amongst you this year. It feels like a fine year. And I would like to salute the supremely gifted and gracious and sweet Leonardo Di Caprio and Cameron Diaz. My old friend Liam Neeson, Brendan Gleeson, the great John C. Reilly — where is he? He’s a terrible man because he has this habit of making all the actors around him look like they’re acting. And Harvey Graham, I’m going to say thank you to later on. I’ll thank you for this. But tonight, I would just like to thank the actors that have allowed me this wonderful life. Thank you. Thank you very much. 9. Renee Zellweger Film — Chicago Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role Thank you, thank you, thank you. Oh my God! Whew! And a kiss from "Mr. Bond." Jesus. Okay. Whew! [whoops] Okay. Thank you. Thank you to my fellow actors in the Screen Actors Guild. When you start out you kind of hope that you’ll get enough work so that you don’t have to schlep the longnecks anymore, but I never imagined that I would stand here tonight in such esteemed company with these ladies that, God, I have admired for so long — hell, my friends who I love and who make me proud. Salma and Julie and, my God, I just . . . I have a lot of people to thank so I will apologize ahead of time for talking way too long, but I’m going to anyway. I have all my friends at Miramax that I have to say to say thank you to, Screen Actors Guild Awards Page 37 of 132 Acceptance Speeches Transcripts thank you for making film, because every actor should the opportunity to be in something that they love so much. Thank you to my "Chicago" family, the naughty kids in church over there. Wonderful actors. Catherine, congratulations on tonight and the BAFTA and Las Vegas and et cetera, et cetera. Beautiful Latifah, it’s your moment. I’m so proud of you, you’re wonderful. Richard Gere, not a bad day at work. Go and see your smiling face every day. Marty Richards, Kander and Ebb, thank you for letting me be part of your dream. Neil Meron and Craig Zadan who were there every single day, every step of the way. Denise Faye, Cynthia Enrouba, Joey Pizzi and John De Luca who gave me the steps. Bill, who’s a brilliant screenwriter, congratulations on your nomination last night. Paul Matt, Randy Rick, Jeff and Elaine for standing by me at the piano. Dale for stitching up the dresses that Colleen Atwood so beautifully created . My fellas Brant, Bri, Kev, and then my girl Jenny who takes such good care of me along with Nancy and Leslie, who make sure that my purse matches my shoes. And John Carrabino, my rock, I swear to God I would not standing here without you, because y’all — we all know that it takes so much more than just a little luck, it takes somebody to believe and he always believed. And Rob Marshall — everybody? My friend who I love so much. Congratulations on DGA Award, you so deserved it. You’re the most generous person that I’ve ever worked with in my life. I’ve never seen a person multitask like you did, take chances on so many people like you did, and help such a great vision come alive the way that you did, because you were so kind. Thank you for that. Every single one of you in here needs to get on the phone and get a lunch with Rob Marshall next week. And to everybody out there who’s digging through the couch cushions for the change for your SAG dues, keep digging because it’s a great life. Thank you for this. Thank you. 9. Christopher Walken Film — Catch Me If You Can Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role I need my notes. Thanks to the Screen Actors Guild and to all the actors who voted me this. I love all of us. We are family, and I hope we all work together. Soon. Thanks to Dreamworks and Steven Spielberg. Thanks, Leo and Tom and Natalie, Martin, Amy and all the wonderful actors. Thanks, Tony Howard and Reissa Shapiro. My wife Georgeanne [sp]. Thanks, Mara Buxbaum. And Sue Mengers, I hope you’re watching because I thank you always. And I’m very proud to have this. Thank you. 9. Catherine Zeta-Jones Film – Chicago Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role Screen Actors Guild Awards Page 40 of 132 Acceptance Speeches Transcripts 9. James Gandolfini Television — The Sopranos Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series Thank you. Thank you very much. First of all, obviously none of this would be possible without this cast that I’ve worked with for all this time. They’ve taken me through this. I’ve just been lost the entire time, and they basically just dragged me through this kicking and screaming. So thank you, and to Edie and Lorraine and everyone. Thank you very much, thank you. And maybe there’s some stuff lately that’s made me seem slightly ungrateful, but to HBO, I just want to say, I am very grateful for what you’ve done. And it’s a wonderful place to work. And thank you very much. And again, I have to say — I’ve said this before — to all the actors out there that are working hard and struggling, things can change very quickly. Hang in there, and enjoy what’s happening to you now, because things get pretty weird later on if it works. So, thank you. 9. Megan Mullally Television – Will & Grace Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series I am so busted. I was trying to tell Meryl Streep that I love her, which is so queer, and I literally tripped on the stairs. So, that’s what I get. That’s what you get for jumpin’ on the bed. Anyway … Everybody here, everybody here in this room has — I’ve drawn so much inspiration from all of you, and learned so much, and just the joy that you’ve brought me — and everyone — and really, it’s unbelievable. And the more subtle gifts, even, that you’ve brought, I’d like to try to pay that back to you, or give that back to you now in some infinitesimal way but all I can really say is "thank you." Thank you. 9. Sean Hayes Television — Will & Grace Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series I am so glad I got this because now I can get this. They’re just going to go right through here and it’s going to be just a six-pack in like four days, they said. Thank you. I have to say — I have to say I’m completely shocked. I have nothing prepared. And I have to say, I have to say thank you to the other guys in my category. I can’t even believe I’m with you guys. I truly watch every one of those shows, and you guys are freakin’ hilarious. And I really think you’re great. And more so the cast of "Will & Grace," Eric, Debra and Megan. I love you guys so much. And every week you guys really make me happy to be an actor, and really are so special to me in my heart. And I thank the Lord. And they’re so sick of hearing me say this, but we’re all so blessed to be able to do Screen Actors Guild Awards Page 41 of 132 Acceptance Speeches Transcripts what we do every single day. I mean, it’s not so far along ago that I couldn’t even pay my rent. And now I can pay all your rent. So thank you very much. 9. Television – Six Feet Under Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series FRANCES CONROY: Oh my God, I’m supposed to be the spokesperson. PETER KRAUSE: I’ll give it to you. LAUREN AMBROSE: Yeah, give it to her. CONROY: To me? Well, I don’t know about that. To Alan Ball — we thank you for the love that you have shown us at every moment in the writing, in the creation of these characters and how you’ve dealt with us as your actors in this family that we’re a part of. To Alan Poul, all the producers, thank you for all the nurturing that you’ve given us. We are a close family and we love what we’re doing, and it is an honor to be recognized by our fellow peers. Thank you. 9. Television – Everybody Loves Raymond Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series RAY ROMANO: Thank you. Ahh … we’ll make this quick, there’s movie stars here . You know what? I talk enough on the show. Brad, we don’t give — yeah, we don’t give you enough lines. Go ahead. BRAD GARRETT: But I’m not even union. This is unbelievable. On behalf of this cast, this is Doris and Peter and Madylin and Patty and Ray, and all of our amazing writers, this is just — this is a big week for me, not only for all of us, but for me personally. I don’t mean to brag but not only this, but I’m going to be auditioning for the lead in the "Sopranos" next week and I’m very excited. That’s why I shaved my beard. Is he laughing? Is he laughing? Okay. And Melissa Gilbert, wow, it’s nice to see where my dues are going. That was incredible. She is so gorgeous. This is why they never let me talk. On behalf of everybody, Les Moonves, CBS, HBO, Worldwide Pants, dysfunction is alive. Thank you SAG, God bless you. Thank you very much. Screen Actors Guild Awards Page 42 of 132 Acceptance Speeches Transcripts 10TH ANNUAL SCREEN ACTORS GUILD AWARDS 10. Johnny Depp Film — Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role [was not in attendance] 10. Charlize Theron Film — Monster Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role Thank you so much, [through tears] Clint Eastwood. It just doesn’t get any better. I am so honored and proud to be an actor, ‘cause God knows, I don’t know what else to do. I have so many amazing actors to thank who I could not have done this film without, who came and gave us their time, and we gave them no money in return. And they are Bruce Dern ­ incredible Bruce Dern, Lee Tergeson, Pruitt Taylor Vince, Marco St. John, Marc Macaulay and Scott Wilson. And then my incredible, incredible, beautiful, talented leading lady, Christina Ricci, who… I share this with. I have to thank my incredible manager, J.J. Hertz [sp], my friend… for having the best taste, and for always taking care of me ­ you’re my shepherd. Thank you. My incredible lawyer, Steve Warren, Heidi Schaeffer and Amanda Silverman from PMK. And then, of course, my incredible director and writer of this incredible story, Patty Jenkins. And my angel and my date tonight, my mom... who put me on a plane with a one-way ticket to Hollywood when I was 19 years old. Thank you for being so brave and for letting me go to make my dreams come true. [through tears] Thank you. Thank you. 10. Tim Robbins Film — Mystic River Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role Oh boy! That’s so cool. Susie’s got one of these. I’m gonna get them alone in a dark room, see what happens. Oh! So happy to get this award from SAG. It’s so important that we have unions, otherwise without unions, we’d be working 18 hour days, six days a week. No, but we get overtime. Except in Australia. I have several people I’d like to thank. My agent, first of all, Tony Howard, Lisa Kasteler, Phyllis Huffman, Robert Lorenz, Judy Hoyt, Bruce Berman, Jeff Robinoff [sp], Don Taybin, Allen Horn, Joel Himes ­ you rock! Benicio, Alec, Ken, Chris Cooper, all incredible performances, and I’m honored to be in your company. The crew of “Mystic River,” thank you so much. Actors need words and we had amazing words from Brian Helgeland, adapted from a book by Dennis LeHane, thanks to both of them. Thanks to the master Clint Eastwood, for guiding us all there. Sean Penn, Kevin Bacon, Laurence Fishburne, Laura Linney, Marcia Gay Harden… also a few of the other people I haven’t mentioned much, and Kevin Chapman, Adam Nelson, Thomas Gehry, Emmie Rosen [sp], Spencer Clark, Robert Wahlberg and Eli Wallach, who also were so fantastic in the show. Screen Actors Guild Awards Page 45 of 132 Acceptance Speeches Transcripts Television — Six Feet Under Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series I was nominated with some other incredible women in this category. And they called my name, so I thank you. And I’ve seen people here that I’ve known for years. Meryl Streep was gracious enough to come up and say hello to me this year. So many people ­ because this is a family, and we’ve worked with one another in many capacities and many jobs that we’ve always felt fortunate to get. And we’ve either been in Actors Equity or AFTRA or SAG, and they’ve protected us. And that’s an important thing. And I love the show that I’m on. Peter Krause, Michael Hall, Lauren Ambrose, Rachel Griffiths, Jamie Cromwell, Matthew St. Patrick, Freddie Rodriguez. Shoot me if I’ve forgotten anybody. But I love everybody on the show and Alan Ball and Alan. And everybody at HBO are very loving and nurturing. I’m deeply honored. 10. Kiefer Sutherland Television – 24 Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series I am stunned. I got to walk by one of the guys who got me started, Mr. Sean Penn. Thank you. I want to make this about actors because that’s what this evening is about, but I have to thank our writers, because without them we couldn’t do this. To Joel, Bob, Michael, Howard, all of the writers on “24,” you have given us so much pleasure to deliver the scenes, and your work. Very quickly, I realized I wanted to be an actor, I was about 14, I was watching a performance of “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf,” and somewhere between the first and second act, I forgot my mother was playing Martha and… I realized how powerful that was. As my interest grew, I started to spend time with her friends, other actors, and I realized that as different as they all were, they were connected by a bond. And there was a freedom in that bond and they became my family and as my career has developed, actors have been my family, and to get this from you, I cannot thank you enough. Thank you very much. It’s a true honor. Cheers. 10. Megan Mullally Television – Will & Grace Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series MEGAN MULLALLY: Okay, well I brought Mother Nature with me. Because I couldn’t do the show without Debra and Sean and Eric, they are so amazing. And Debra is so deserving, she’s just a great actress, I hope you all get a chance to work with her some day, it’s a real treat. Other than that, I am absolutely stunned to be standing here, that’s why I brought Debra, so I thought may she could say something about me. ‘Cause I got nothin’. DEBRA MESSING: She’s really, really funny. Screen Actors Guild Awards Page 46 of 132 Acceptance Speeches Transcripts MULLALLY: How ‘bout that. But my dad was an actor and I struggled for almost 20 years before I got “Will & Grace,” and the greatest thing about it is to be able to have a forum to express yourself creatively. I feel so lucky, and I cannot believe that I have been recognized now, three times, by you. And the people out there watching, who aren’t here tonight, all the actors, it is so moving to me. We love our show and Debra, I love you, and Eric and Sean, and we have a good thing. Thank you so much. 10. Tony Shalhoub Television — Monk Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series Thank you so much, I am so deeply unprepared. I’m so thankful, so proud to be an actor. It is my fondest wish that all of you, all of the actors here tonight, and watching at home, have the opportunity to work with a team of people that I work with. I want to thank our executive producer and co-creator, David Hoberman for two things. First for coming up with the idea for this character, and second, for recruiting the perfect writer to bring this character and all the characters to life, Andy Breckman. Thanks to Andy and his whole team of writers. And I want to thank my manager and dear friend Mary Goldberg who’s here tonight. For her faith and guidance for persuading me to do this part. And Jeff Wachtel at USA for working his magic, to make that this show saw the light of day in the first place. Also to our show runner, Randy Zisk, and our supervising producer, Fern Field, who inspires all of us with her work ethic, which basically centers around the idea that it’s never good enough. Thank you, Fern, we couldn’t do this without you. To the cast and crew, my beautiful family, and all of you, I thank you. 10. Television – Six Feet Under Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series PETER KRAUSE: Our cast keeps growing every year. I think I can safely speak for the rest of the cast when I say that as a group we always find it a lot more interesting what happens between two people rather than what one person is doing. And this is the only occasion that an ensemble gets to be awarded in the award arena, so I think we’re all very happy to be standing up here together, as happy as we are to be working with each other. I’d like to thank HBO, a terrific team of writers led by Alan Ball and… 20 seconds. Anything else anybody wants to say in the next 20 seconds? It’s a terrific group of people to work with and we all couldn’t be happier. Thank you very much. 10. Television – Sex and the City Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series KRISTIN DAVIS: Omigod! I’m the designated speaker, so bear with me. Hold on… You know, you guys have been unbelievably generous to us during the course of our show. And it means so much to all of us, and to Sarah Jessica, that you have embraced us, and that so many of you have come to act with us. We’ve had more good-looking men on our show— KIM CATTRALL: And more fun. Screen Actors Guild Awards Page 47 of 132 Acceptance Speeches Transcripts DAVIS: Absolutely. So we want to thank you. It’s meant more than I think any of us have found a good way to express. We want to thank HBO for being brave and letting us do some strange things. And we want to thank Sarah Jessica, and Michael Patrick, and all of our wonderful writers. And all of our background players who had to look like they were having the most fun at a nightclub ever, in New York City, ever. So we will all miss you so much. And thank you again. CATTRALL: Thank you. Screen Actors Guild Awards Page 50 of 132 Acceptance Speeches Transcripts Playing Katharine Hepburn, I absolutely did not expect to be standing here in front of you all. But Hepburn aside, I actually would like to say, as an actor coming from another country to this country, I am so astounded and amazed, and grateful, at the power of the SAG union and what it does for its members. And I hope that other countries, mine own included, you know, is inspired by that - I think it's incredible. So, I thank you very much. I think the head, shoulders, knees and toes of this belong to Martin Scorsese, who led us all and gave us great courage - I'm shaking. Thank you so much. And to Leonardo and to Graham King who were so incredibly welcoming. To Morag Ross, who painted every single freckle on my face, and everyone, because it's an absolute team effort and a team on it. I don't know where to begin, I'm overwhelmed. Thank you so much. 11. Film — Sideways Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture SANDRA OH: Thank you so much. We've had such a great ride and this has been such a great experience to be here with all fellow actors. To Paul Giamatti, the center of our ensemble, I thank you so much. This has been such a pure filmmaking experience, and for a variety of reasons, 'cause everyone was working at their best. And thank you to our great casting director, John Jackson, who brought us Marylouise Burke and Jessica Hecht and Patrick Gallagher, the great and naked M.C. Gainey — VIRGINIA MADSEN: The naked man. OH: Yeah, the naked man. To Fox, Searchlight, Mr. G., and Peter Price, Claudia Lewis, who supported this film tremendously, and all the foxy ladies at Fox who support us. And mostly to our great producer, Michael London, and because they never questioned the director's vision to cast who he wanted. And I thank you guys for that, because it doesn't happen all the time. And of course, to our great visionary director, Alexander Payne who... he's great, he's really great... who is in Sweden right now - hi honey - and to Jim Taylor, who wrote such a beautiful script, which is like manna from Heaven for all actors. For Alexander Payne the director, who saw in each one of us something that most people don't usually see. So, thank you for giving us a shot, and thank you for voting for us. Thank you. 11. Glenn Close Television — The Lion in Winter Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries Thank you so much, it means the world to me, to get this award from my peers. I adore what I do, I think it's the most wonderful profession in the world, and I want to share it with my collaborators, every single one of them, on the amazing experience that was "Lion in Winter." It was daunting taking on a role, word-for-word, that was made iconic by the great Katharine Hepburn, who won an Oscar for it. But I have to tell you a story very quickly. When I was a senior in college at William and Mary, I was painting scenery backstage, and the Dick Cavett interview with Hepburn, the only time she was ever on television, happened to be playing. Screen Actors Guild Awards Page 51 of 132 Acceptance Speeches Transcripts And so I knew that I had wanted to be an actress, but something happened to be that night watching her. And I said to myself, "If that's who you want to be, do it!" And the next day I went to the office of the head of the theater department, I asked to be nominated for a series of national auditions. I ended up that fall with my first job as an understudy on Broadway. And later, when Hepburn was celebrated at the Kennedy Center Honors, I was one of the group of artists that helped celebrate her. And she came back stage, which was very rare, and I was coerced into telling her this story. And so I kind of stuttered it, you know, about she had had a real impact, and was the reason why I got my first job. And days later, I received this letter, which hangs on a wall in my house, in a place of honor. And what she wrote to me was this: "I'm glad I persuaded you when you were a mere child to join this terrible profession, this terrifying profession, and let's face it, this delicious way to spend your life." Thank you very much. 11. Geoffrey Rush Television — The Life and Death of Peter Sellers Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries Thank you very much. I don’t know how you calibrate acting. I can’t define for myself how you do it or how it turns out. But to be nominated by the Guild in such great company is a really thrilling benchmark. I delude myself actually into thinking that when I’m naked, I look like this guy. I love that he’s called The Actor, and he’s not “The Talent” or “The Celebrity” or “The Sound Byter” or “The Whore” or all of the things that we sometimes, you know, have to succumb to. 11. Jennifer Garner Television — Alias Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series Thank you so much. Thank you so much. My first job, Melissa Gilbert played my mom. I called her Laura, every day in the make-up trailer. I practically called her Half-Pint - it's so fun to be sitting with her. I've claimed James Garner for years as a relative, it's wonderful to be in this room, and to be part of this union. And the day my parents accepted that I was an actor was the day I told them, "I get insurance." So, thank you to SAG and thank you to all the actors that we work with on "Alias," the background, my stunt double, Shauna Duggins, my stand-in, Nancy Wetzel, my incredible cast, the writers, ABC, everybody, we're so lucky to have this job. We have a blast. Thank you so, so much. 11. Jerry Orbach Television — Law & Order Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series xxxxx: Thank you. Thank you. Oh! JAMES DENTON: It's very heavy. Screen Actors Guild Awards Page 52 of 132 Acceptance Speeches Transcripts xxxx: Oh no. Oh... Oh God, how bittersweet, but it's still sweet. Thank you. Thank all of you. God, if Jerry were here, he would be - he would be so articulate and so giving and loving, and receiving, all of you, for this beautiful award. Jerry was an actor and he loved actors. He loved kibitzing with them, he loved playing cards with them, he loved playing Scrabble with them, but he loved being with them. Jerry had a motto. He said, "Never leave a hit show." It was a good one. He did it for the audiences of Broadway, for a good 35-years, with all the major long-running shows that he did, "Promises" - good Lord, the original "Chicago," which that's where we met and fell in love - "42nd Street," on and on and on. And in between, the wonderful Dick Wolf said, "Would you consider 'Law & Order"?" And of course, it brought him back to his beloved Broadway, 'cause he could spend time on and around Broadway. Oh God, and it gave him the longest-running show of his heart. He loved it, he stayed there till the end, and he always said, "Never leave a hit show." May you all never leave your hit show. Thank you so much. God, it's heavy. Thank you. 11. Teri Hatcher Television — Desperate Housewives Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series Wow, it's really... Okay, it's really heavy, that's one thing... Okay, I sort of didn't expect this and... .look at this, all these amazing actors. I came to Los Angeles as a dancing extra in "The Love Boat" in 1985, and since then I got to work with Christopher Guest and Kevin Bacon, and Kevin Kline, and Sally Field, and Whoopi Goldberg and... God, like a lot of movies and TV shows, for really having no career a year ago. And I just - I learned from all those people and I am so proud to be a part of this group. I never thought I could even call myself an actor, and I want to thank you for letting me sort of rediscover myself, for giving me a chance to maybe get rid of old perceptions and be a part of this group of wonderful cast on the show, with amazing writers, and Jamie Denton and Andrea Bowen, my boyfriend and my daughter, who don't get all of the press of all of the lovely housewives, but make me so great in those scenes. If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't be anywhere, and the same thing to all of you ladies, it's just the most wonderful job, and thank you very much. 11. Tony Shalhoub Television — Monk Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series Thank you very much. I’m so proud to be among you in this group. They asked us not to go through a whole long list of thank you’s this year, but I just want to extend my gratitude to all of the guest actors who come onto series television. As series regulars, our job is made so much easier to be in the head of the character week in and week out, as Jamie Foxx proved so well tonight. But for the guest actors who come into a show without any preparation, without any time to rehearse, their job is so much harder, to capture the tone, to create a Screen Actors Guild Awards Page 55 of 132 Acceptance Speeches Transcripts I want to thank my representation for so many years, I have just the best representatives, Steve Warren, my attorney – he’s great, and my agent of 15 years; Steve Dontanville, who just left the business. He left being an agent and I miss him so much. Nancy Ryder, my true and always friend, and Evelyn O'Neill, my manager for 13 years, who is my constant support. And of course, my family, my husband, my children, who were there with me every moment, supporting me when I was shaking. And the quiet center of my life, my mother and my grandma, who really just aren't acknowledged enough, so I'm sharing this with them. Okay. Thanks. 12. Paul Giamatti Film — Cinderella Man Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role Gosh, that's heavy. Wow. Well then now, this is a hell of a thing. This is a great thing. I cannot imagine a greater honor than being acknowledged by my peers. Nothing better. Thank you very, very much to the Screen Actors Guild. I would also like to thank the fine folks at Universal and Mr. Brian Grazer and Ron Howard, who gave me a job. Being an actor is a hell of a thing. It's a hell of a thing. It's up and down, it's just - it's great. But I found the best thing about it is hanging around the Craft Service table... with other actors... and crew people... eating donuts. And I hang around a lot there. But that really is... So I'd like to take the opportunity to say thanks to all the actors and the crew people who have spent time with me at the Craft Service table, shooting the shit, and eating donuts, and having a hell of a good time, because they're weird, interesting people in our business. And I'm proud to be numbered among them. Thank you very much. 12. Rachel Weisz Film – The Constant Gardener Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role Well, thank you so much, it's so special to be honored by fellow actors. So thanks very much to the tribe. Thank you. And thank you to all the incredible actors in the cast, I share this with so many: Ray Fiennes, Danny, Huston, Hubert Koundé, Pete Postlethwaite, Bill Nighy, Juliet Aubrey, such incredible actors, and non-actors as well, the children and the adults of the slums of Kibera and the El Molo tribe of Loiyangalani in Northern Kenya, and Fernando Meirelles, the director who orchestrated all of this between... between us actors and the non-actors, with such unsentimental empathy. And he let all the actors and non-actors run free and wild, and it was an incredible experience. And the producer, Simon Channing-Williams, who was so sensitive in creating a relationship with all the people that we filmed within Kenya. And to Focus, you're such an incredible company to work with, and you dare to tell such daring stories. Thank you for giving me this job. And my agent, Jenny Rawlings, my manager Stacey Boniello for all their support, and Darren Aronofsky, my - I don't know what to call you – my everything. Thank you for everything. Thank you. 12. Film — Crash Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture Screen Actors Guild Awards Page 56 of 132 Acceptance Speeches Transcripts TERRENCE HOWARD: Wow... Okay, since I'm holding the statue, I might... The only thing I can say is, when we were first given the opportunity to work on this incredible script by Paul Haggis, and we heard that Don Cheadle, who, I mean, everyone in this room just almost worships because of his dedication. So, I think it's only appropriate that you do this right here. DON CHEADLE: Thank you. [applause/cheers] I'm hobbling up here. I just have to say to everybody, pay your gambling debts. You don't want this... to happen to you. I’m gonna read it. Thank you very much, on behalf of the entire cast. I'd like to thank our peers, the Screen Actors Guild. We definitely appreciate it, thank you for acknowledging our film. We believe that it really celebrates the definition of what an ensemble is all about. I mean, there's 74 of us, so it... has to be... And we came together because of Paul Haggis, our fearless leader. Where are you, Paul? SANDRA BULLOCK: Right there. CHEADLE: Thank you. And Bobby Moresco... [applause continues] wonderful script. And it's a film that doesn't end when the credits roll, and it's a discussion that we've all heard out in the world many, many times, and it's great that it's just sort of started a dialogue about things that people on the surface really seem to not want to talk about. But it's great to have the opportunity to speak about this film and to speak about the ideas that it presents. And individually, I'd like to thank Sandra, Terrence, Michael, Matt, Loretta, Keith, Jennifer, Bill, Brendan, Nona, Ryan, Larenz, Chris, who else? Bahar, Shaun, Beverly - I got you - Sandy and Tony. Thank you very much. Thank you. 12. S. Epatha Merkerson Television – Lackawanna Blues Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series There's nothing in my bra... there's nothing in my head, it's all in my heart. This is so lovely. You know, if I said I was at a loss for words, there would be a bunch of people out here that would call me a liar. So, there's some people I really need to thank. My manager and long-time friend, Craig Dorfman. This is my baby brother back here, it couldn't have happened to me in a lovelier way with Ben. To HBO and Colin Calendar, and all the people at HBO - I'm repeating myself, am I? To the producers of "Lackawanna Blues," Ruben Santiago-Hudson, who allowed us to visit this woman - they're counting me down - to my new family at Gersh, Bob, Laurie Bartlett, and Sally Ware sitting on her couch in New York. To Roger Haber, Bernadette Jacobs, Barry Kaplan at Artists Financial. And I have to say a public thank you to my divorce lawyer. Sandy Ayn and Clair Miller!! But mostly I want to thank the Screen Actors Guild for making me a part of this community. Thank you. 12. Paul Newman Television – Empire Falls Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series WILLIAM H. MACY: Unlike so many of us, Paul Newman is working, so I'm going to take this home. And Paul, if you want it, give me a call. 12. Sandra Oh Screen Actors Guild Awards Page 57 of 132 Acceptance Speeches Transcripts Television — Grey’s Anatomy Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series This is unbelievable, this is unbelievable. I thank every single actor out there. I'm so grateful for having a job, and I am... so grateful for this award, it's such an honor, particularly to be in such a wonderful category. Please let me thank my cast. And I want to thank Linda Klein, who is our technical advisor, and all the nurses who make us look like we're doctors, 'cause we're not. And to my stand-in Eric Oh, and to Linda Lowy and John and Will, and especially to our creator, Shonda Rimes, whose casting vision I believe in so whole-hearted, I'm really proud to be on a show whose casting is a little more representative of how I think the world is. So, to – you know, to all my fellow Asian-Americans out there, I share this with you. And be encouraged and keep shining. Thank you very much. 12. Kiefer Sutherland Television – 24 Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series I am in shock... this is the community that I wanted to belong all my life and you have been so gracious and kind to me. Tonight is really special for me, I'm with my step-son, Timothy, so I really want to take a moment just to thank my family for being so patient and kind with me over the years; to all the actors that I've worked with, I've learned so much, I've never had a bad experience. And as an actor you realize that you can't do this on your own, so there are some people I have to thank. It starts with the writing, Joe Surnow, Bob Cochran, Howard Gordon, Michael Loceff, Evan Katz, all of the wonderful writers on our show. John Kassar, this is yours, mate. And John Kassar is our director, and I cannot thank you enough. Suzan Bymel, you've stood by me through the peaks and the valleys, I can't thank you enough, my friends, my family, thank you very, very much. 12. Felicity Huffman Television – Desperate Housewives Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series Thank you so much. Thank you to the Screen Actors Guild, to Marc Cherry, who never sees the light of day, to all of our writers, Tom Spezialy, Kevin Murphy. Our producers, George Perkins, Larry Shaw - you know how when you do this you can't remember your mom's name? David Grossman... thank you to the crew, which is tireless, to the dream team of Sherilyn [sp] Stubbs and James Dunham. To Marcia, Teri, Eva, Nicolette and Alfre. To my other TV husband, Doug Savant. I love actors, I married one - okay I married a fantastic one. I know. But even more than acting, I love the community of actors. I love the green room, I love the hair and makeup trailer, and I am so grateful that I am acting, and I am so grateful I can make a living at it, because I was never very good at math. So thank you very much. 12. Sean Hayes Television – Will & Grace Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series Screen Actors Guild Awards Page 60 of 132 Acceptance Speeches Transcripts 13. Eddie Murphy Film — Dreamgirls Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role Thank you. What a tremendous honor to be recognized by one’s peers. [with slight British accent] I’ve been acting for some 25 years now and this is a tremendous honor to me… no, I’m sorry. It’s just when the British people come and get the awards, it’s so smooth with their stuff. And I feel goofy up here ‘cause I don’t be winning stuff. But thank you so much, this is a huge honor. And thank you Bill Condon for directing and putting me in your wonderful movie. Thank you. Thank you to the cast and crew of “Dreamgirls” and thank you to DreamWorks, and Jeffrey Katzenberg, Steven Spielberg, and David Geffen, and Brad Grey, and Stacey Snider and everyone there that was involved with this picture. I’m just so happy to be part of it. And thank all of you and thank you, Tracey, for fixing everything. Bye-bye you all. 13. Jennifer Hudson Film — Dreamgirls Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role Whoo! Thank you so much. What a welcome, oh my God! Wow. Well first… I’d like to thank God, just for this moment. Also I really want to take out the time to thank my cast. Because of you I was able to work and learn from the best. Yes, you are the best. Everybody in this room is the best. I’d also like to thank my producers, Larry and Patty, and Bill Condon, and my director, thank you so much for believing in me, even when I didn’t believe in myself. You all changed the way I think as an artist. And I also would like to thank the Screen Actors Guild. You are the heart of this industry. And just thank you for noticing little ol’ me, and for accepting me. And thank you for making me feel so welcome. And thank you for this honor. Thank you so much. 13. Film — Little Miss Sunshine Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture ABIGAIL BRESLIN: Hello. I don’t know, who do you want to thank? [Arkin whispers in her ear] Thank you. GREG KINNEAR: I’d like to thank the engineers at Volkswagen for——making a beautiful vehicle back in 1969 that is so comfortable, so safe. I, honestly, just want to thank our amazing directors, Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris. I hope you all get a chance to work with them. They’re amazing people. We had five – not three, not two, not four – five great producers on this movie. I want to thank all of them. Fox Searchlight and Peter Rice, of course, thank you, guys, for finding a way to get a small voice heard. And to my beautiful wife, thank you. And now some of my beautiful cast will speak. Screen Actors Guild Awards Page 61 of 132 Acceptance Speeches Transcripts ALAN ARKIN: No, no, no. STEVE CARELL: No, no, no. Thank you. ARKIN: Thank you. 13. Helen Mirren Television — Elizabeth I Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series Goodness, me. This – I am unprepared. Elisabeth was so extraordinary and…Elisabeth [applause] from me. Anyway, I love this little guy. He’s so sexy, isn’t he? You know, sort of naked, but not quite. Quite exciting. I don’t feel at all saggy. I feel quite perky, actually, winning this after all. No. I’m thrilled. Thank you so much. I had the incredible advantage of acting with a person that you all know, you all love, you all respect, I believe, beyond any other actor and that’s Al Pacino. And to work with Al and watch him close-hand was just an incredible lesson for me. We can always learn all the time. Thank you David Mamet, thank you HBO, and everything. Thank you very much. 13. Jeremy Irons Television — Elizabeth I Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries Into the lion’s den. As Helen said, it was you lot… that sort of taught me what it was – what one was supposed to do. In fact, I remember the very first time I went to New York and I asked the guy on Fifth Avenue the way to get to Madison Avenue. And he said, “What do I look like, an employee bureau?” I mean, “an information bureau?” It was a joke. And I thought, everybody in America wants to be a movie star, they all sound like movie stars. And here is a room full of movie stars giving me, who, whenever I start a job, feel like a plumber, giving me an accolade, it is fantastic to be singled out among such… co-nominees: Mr. Duvall, who, the first time I heard word of Duvall was when I was going to play with Miss Glenn Close and he was a great friend of hers. And he said, “How can you trust a guy who sounds like that?” And yet she did, and it worked, and I don’t know, we just do our… I’m just amazed by this. Thank you very much. It’s a huge honor. I shall treasure it forever. 13. Chandra Wilson Television — Grey's Anatomy Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series Okay. Well, I’m sorry, Paula, I got your dress all wrinkled… First of all, it’s about those 10 cast members sitting over there, and the other one in rehab. I mean, y’all are just… holding me together. I thank you so much, ‘cause we pull this thing off every week. I love you all for it. Thank you, Shonda, for wanting me to do this role. Lord, bless your heart. And everything that you write for us, all those long things that you give me to say, do I have to keep saying all that stuff, those long paragraphs. Okay, thank you. Screen Actors Guild Awards Page 62 of 132 Acceptance Speeches Transcripts To… oh my goodness, my family here, Mikey, at home the girls. Thank you so much for going on this ride with me, for having an agent and a manager that have been with me 15 and 19 years, respectively. For holding on to me, thank you so much. To – oh Lord – George Wolfe told me, “Look girl, you’re already talented or else you wouldn’t be in the room. So just go and do the work.” George said, “Just try to do the work every day.” And my friends, I feel you, so many wonderful friends I’m so lucky to have. And last but not least, just to be able to take this thing home to my girls, in particular, and hold it in front of them and say, “Look, with this skin and this nose, and this height, and these arms,” you know, “I’m here!” Whoo! [applause/cheers] Thank you Screen Actors Guild for taking me as I am. Thank you. Whoo! 13. Hugh Laurie Television — House Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series Thank you so much. Thank you. This is phenomenal. It seems to be that this business, for actors anyway, is not so much about whether or not you do good work, it’s about whether or not you get the chance to do good work. And I am… Every day I am extremely grateful for the chance I’ve been given to play what is to me such a fascinating character, to do it here in America… I’m British, by the way. Which accounts for why I’m so smooth. And what’s more, to do it at a time when American television drama, it seems to me, is absolutely at its zenith. It’s a phenomenal honor and a great chance, and I am – I know it will pass very quickly… it might even have passed while I’ve been standing here. But it’s still amazing. My therapist made me promise that I wouldn’t thank anybody. Something to do with ownership, I didn’t really understand it. But I would nonetheless like to thank the people who gave me the chance. The Executive Producers of “House,” Paul Attanasio, Bryan Singer, Katie Jacobs and David Shore. And also the wonderful Nancy Perkins, Marcia Shulman and Gail Berman. And to them and to you, and to chance, thank you. Thank you very much. 13. America Ferrera Television — Ugly Betty Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series I am completely out of things to say. I don’t have anything to say anymore. I think that what’s so special about being in this room is that I look out and I see faces that have inspired me, and moved me, my entire life, since I was just a wee little one. And being here, honored by these faces, is more than I can express. And I think what’s amazing is that we share a common knowledge of struggle and of rejection, and now of success. And that I think only your fellow peers know how sweet the taste it is, because you know the other side of it. And it’s really an incredible knowledge. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Have a wonderful night. 13. Alec Baldwin Screen Actors Guild Awards Page 65 of 132 Acceptance Speeches Transcripts 14TH ANNUAL SCREEN ACTORS GUILD AWARDS 14. Daniel Day-Lewis Film — There Will Be Blood Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role Thank you. I’m very, very proud of this. Thank you so much for giving it to me. And I’m very proud to be included in that group of wonderful actors this year. You know, for as long as I can remember, the thing that gave me a sense of wonderment, of renewal, the thing that teased me with the question, how is such a thing possible, and then dare you to go back into the arena of one more time, with longing and self-doubt, jostling in the balance, it’s always been the work of other actors. And there are many actors in this room tonight, including my fellow nominees, who have given that sense of regeneration and… Heath Ledger gave it to me. In “Monster’s Ball,” that character that he created, it seemed to be almost like an unformed being, retreating from themselves, retreating from his father, from his life, even retreating from us, and yet we wanted to follow him, and yet we’re scared to follow him almost. It was unique. And then, of course, in “Brokeback Mountain,” he was unique, he was perfect. And that scene in the trailer at the end of the film is as moving as anything that I think I’ve ever seen. And I’d like to dedicate this to Heath Ledger. So, thank you very much. Thank you so much. 14. Julie Christie Film — Away from Her Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role Thank you very much indeed for this. It’s lovely to receive an award from your own union. Especially at a time when they’re being so forcefully reminded how important unions are. [applause/cheers] I’d like to share this with many people, my fellow actors, Gordon, Olympia, Michael, the whole cast of our film, all of whom were so brilliant, down to the tiniest one. Our three producers, Jennifer, Danny, Simone, our cool Canadian crew – it did snow a lot… Oh, my acting coach, brilliant Australian, Lindy Davies. And, of course, I mustn’t forget Adam, from Lionsgate, who more or less pushed me up onto this stage, which is a minor miracle. But, of course, the person who this really belongs to is the divine Sarah – Sarah Polley. Our writer and director. Sarah, without your tenacious direction, and the beautiful words you put into my mouth, in the dialogue, I wouldn’t be holding this here. So, this really does belong to you, and I might allow you a “little” peek. And if I’ve forgotten anybody, well, it’s just that I’m still in character. 14. Javier Bardem Film — No Country for Old Men Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role Screen Actors Guild Awards Page 66 of 132 Acceptance Speeches Transcripts My grandparents were actors in a time when actors were not allowed to be buried on sacred land, because they were homosexuals and prostitutes. So, it’s been a long way to come here, and that’s something we the actors should apply to ourselves. I’ve been very lucky tonight because somebody thought that I could be included among these extraordinary actors: the great Tommy Lee Jones, Hal Holbrook, Casey Affleck, Tom Wilkinson, whose performances will stay with us forever. But to receive this is totally unbelievable, and I’m a Spanish actor, and we welcome this award with all of you – from all of you. It’s more than I can express in words. I want to share this with my very good friend, Josh Brolin and Tommy Lee, and Kelly Macdonald, and with a great cast of “No Country for Old Men.” And to dedicate it to the Coen Brothers who ultimately are responsible for all of this. Thank you guys for hiring me, and thank you for taking the hard work of choosing the good takes, instead of the ones that I was really – I mean, where I really sucked. Thank you very much for that. And thank you to Scott Rudin, Paramount Vantage, and Miramax for allowing me to be part of this, but especially to Screen Actors Guild for this beautiful privilege. Thank you. 14. Ruby Dee Film – American Gangster Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role RUBY DEE: Thank you so much. VIGGO MORTENSEN: Here it is. Congratulations. RUBY DEE: Oh, thank you. And it’s heavy, too. Well, this is my first time holding one of these boys. Well, what an exciting time to be an actor, in the first place, and also to be in such a film as “American Gangster.” And working with my good friend, Denzel, and with the people I’m seated with here now, like Cuba Gooding, Jr., who’s here with me now. And I saw so many in the company – Roger Guenveur Smith – anyway, and Russell Crowe, and also to work with a director like Ridley Scott. In a film that took place where I was born, with some of the very streets, as part of the picture. And I found that intriguing… It reminded me of all the things that happened in that time. And the realities that informed that film were astonishing. And part of me forever came from that place, and that place comes from me, and I’m delighted to have the opportunity to have been part of “American Gangster.” And I thank the Screen Actors Guild so much for this award. It is… I accept it also for my husband, Ossie, because I think, you know, he’s working on things up there. And also, I can’t believe that last year we won a Grammy for our autobiography, "In the Spoken Word," and now this marvelous award for an “American Gangster.” And I’ve dug up things of his and published a book of his, and it’s going well. So, I’m feeling very, very, very lucky. Thank you. 14. Film — No Country for Old Men Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture Screen Actors Guild Awards Page 67 of 132 Acceptance Speeches Transcripts JOSH BROLIN: I love it, Tess is telling me, 47 actors, don’t forget the little actors. [in “little” actor voice] “I would like to accept this from… ” This is Javier Bardem’s 497th award. It’s sad. It’s sad for the rest of us. I’d like to say, thank you, this was a very big cast and there’s very few of us up here. And like Tess says, there were 47 people in this cast, each and every one making this the movie that it has become. And it is a risky movie, and it’s nice to have risky movies now, you know? Especially this year, I think it’s a cornucopia of change, and it’s about story now. And the studio system is backfiring, awfully, and it’s fun for us actors. So, I’d like to say thank you to SAG. I’d like to say thank you to the ever so passionate Scott Rudin, who’s wonderful, who embraces a film as it should be embraced. To John Lesher. WOODY HARRELSON: Coen Brothers. JOSH BROLIN: Who? The Coen Brothers. I’m taking my time, man. This is my frickin’ moment. All right? Back off, Woody. WOODY HARRELSON: Please rant. JOSH BROLIN: Who else? “Please rant.” Okay. And Miramax, thank you so much . You know, this is – the Coen Brothers are freaky little people, you know? And we did a freaky little movie, whether you like the ending or not. So, thank you. 14. Queen Latifah Television – Life Support Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series [was not in attendance] 14. Kevin Klein Television – As You Like It Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series [was not in attendance] 14. Edit Falco Television — The Sopranos Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series Oh my gosh, this was so not supposed to happen. Oh my goodness. Thank you. Yes, ten years I wish for – everybody in every walk of life – but particularly for actors – to have an opportunity to have a work experience like I have had, with my family here. You’re not supposed to get this attached because it’s a transient business. But I have fallen in love with these people and I don’t know how you walk away from that. Screen Actors Guild Awards Page 70 of 132 Acceptance Speeches Transcripts 15TH ANNUAL SCREEN ACTORS GUILD AWARDS 15. Sean Penn Film — Milk Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role Thank you and good evening, comrades. That was for O’Reilly. You know, something happened to me during the making of this movie. I noticed it tonight where I noticed that the two statues have rather healthy packages. But, you know, as actors we don’t play gay, straight; we don’t play any of these kinds of people. We play human beings. And this movie is something that we’re, all of us involved, are so proud of. And I, and we, are all so appreciative of this acknowledgment, because this is a story about equal rights for all human beings. But I have to – I’m going to speak a bit quickly and tangentially, because I’m just too embarrassed to write a speech ahead of time. One doesn’t want to anticipate anything, especially in this crew. I wept at every one of these guys’ performances. It’s – you’re stunning and... and I’m going to just pick one thing out of the air, because I do also have to say I don’t agree with everything that happened tonight. And so I’ll just do a random shout-out to one of the unacknowledged, because there’s so many, that happened during this season, like Benicio and Steve and “Che,” which was so great. And all of these nominees, but as, you know, one has to admit, that we know that the – you know, at least for television, whatever happens – whether it includes Mickey or I, or not, at this next thing – we know that the TV people have got their dog fight. But they’re idiots because what they don’t know, and that me and my fellow nominees know, is that we’re all so proud and challenged by each other. 15. Meryl Streep Film — Doubt Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role Thank you, everybody. Shh! Well, I didn’t even buy a dress! I’m really, really, really shocked! And even though awards mean nothing to me anymore……I’m really happy... [applause continue] Okay. I want to thank, oh, so many people. Miramax, Daniel Battsek, and especially Scott Rudin, who just goes out of his way to find interesting things for everybody to do, especially the girls. And, oh, can I just say, there is no such thing as the best actress. You know? There is no such thing as the “greatest living actress.” I am in a position where I have secret information, you know, that I know this to be true. I am so in awe of the work of the women this year, nominated, not nominated. So proud of us girls. And everybody wins when we get parts like this. Thank you to John Patrick Shanley for writing this amazing piece. Thank you to Philip Seymour Hoffman, who is... …who is just the most fun to work with, and the most – he sets such a great example to all of us, of how to live your work with integrity and imagination, every time, every time out. Thank you to the glorious Amy Adams, so funny, so real. The gigantically gifted Viola Davis. My God! Somebody give her a movie! Wow. I’m sure I’ve forgotten everybody. Joseph Foster, all the kids, Helen Stenborg, Alice Drummond, all the cast. Thank you to the Sisters of Charity. Thank you, Sister Peggy. Big hug to everybody there; Screen Actors Guild Awards Page 71 of 132 Acceptance Speeches Transcripts your love and your work is so inspiring – was so inspiring to all of us. Okay, I’ve got to get off, but thank you so much, I really do appreciate this. Thank you, actors. Love you. Love you. 15. Heath Ledger Film — The Dark Knight Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role GARY OLDMAN: I’m quite emotional now. It is a great honor to be asked to accept this on behalf of Heath. He was an extraordinary young man, who – with an extraordinary talent. And it is wonderful that you have acknowledged that and honored that talent tonight. On behalf of Heath, his family, and his family on “The Dark Knight,” I thank you. Heath! 15. Kate Winslet Film – The Reader Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role Wow. What a year it has been in movies. I just want to say it’s really an honor to be included in what I think is such a remarkable year. And to be acknowledged by my peers in this way, I really feel like everybody should be given a medal. I have to say that because I really believe it to be true. I’m a bit lost for words, I’m sorry. Playing Hanna Schmitz was such a blessing, and even though it made me completely insane. And I just want to thank the cast and the crew, both in front of the camera and behind it. I just think that hard work deserves to be acknowledged, and these people really gave 100% of themselves to this film. And Harvey Weinstein for his commitment, and Stephen Daldry for his direction and support. And, of course, the late Anthony Minghella and Sydney Pollack. From the bottom of my heart... …just thank you. Thank you very much. 15. Film — Slumdog Millionaire Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture ANIL KAPOOR: Well, it was overwhelming enough to be nominated. But to win this is unbelievable. It’s unbelievable. Our gratitude to the great, the genius, Danny Boyle. Our Hollywood producer Christian. And the man with the Midas touch, Peter Rice. The entire crew, and definitely, how can I forget the children. This award, they deserve it. They deserve this award. They set our performances. It’s the children who have done it, not us. So this is on behalf of the children. Thank you very much. Yeah. FREIDA PINTO: I know this would make the kids really happy, so I’m going to take all the names. The little ones, the ones that played Little Jamal, Salim and Latika, Ayush, Azharuddin and Rubiana. Tanay, Ashutosh and Tanvi, the Middle Jamal, Salim and Latika. And Madhur, who couldn’t be here – Jamal’s brother Salim – thank you so much. Everyone deserves this. And one more person, Loveleen Tandan, our casting director. We wouldn’t be here without you! Thank you so much! Screen Actors Guild Awards Page 72 of 132 Acceptance Speeches Transcripts 15. Laura Linney Television – John Adams Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series Thank you so much. What an extreme honor to receive an award from Mr. Borgnine. Thank you so very much. My fiancé told me if I was to win this, not to fondle the Actor, so I’m going to leave him right there, and just look. There are so many people in this room who I care deeply about. Whether I have gone to school with you, or you are a neighbor of mine, or we are friends, or you have been kind to me when things have not gone well; or you’ve been humbling with me when things are going well. I am so proud to be a part of this remarkable community of actors. I especially am grateful for the remarkable work of the women in my category. You have inspired me and will continue to do so, I know. So, thank you all. I also have to thank my agent, Tony Howard and Brian Mann, who are here this evening. Aleen Keshishian, Jennifer Plante, my family in Georgia, who I don’t get to see enough of. My new family in Chicago, who I’m thrilled to be joining; my fiancé. Thank you all very, very much. And to everyone for “John Adams.” The joy of making that project was that I got to spend a lot of time with a lot of wonderful, wonderful actors, and I will treasure that memory always. Thank you so much. 15. Paul Giamatti Television – James Adams Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series [was not in attendance] 15. Sally Field Television — Brothers & Sisters Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series Oh, gosh, this is a heavy Actor. Oh, dear, I thought it would be a “cable girl.” And such good actors they are. Wow. Okay, so here I am. You know, I’m so proud to be a part of “Brothers & Sisters,” and I have to start by thanking all of them, ABC and Disney, for supporting us. And Ken Olin and Sarah Caplan, and Monica Breen, and Jessica and Schapker for keeping the show going. And all of our fabulous writers. Our amazing crew. The actors work hard, but the crew works three times as hard, let’s face it. But my family are these actors, these wonderful, wonderful actors. I am really here because of them. And, I grew up in a working acting family. My step-father was a stuntman. Matter of fact, I think that was one of his stunts up there that you saw, underneath all the horses. And he was an actor. And my mother was a struggling and working actress, and they were – my step-father was a member of the Screen Actors Guild board, when Ronald Reagan was the president. So, acting and the Screen Actors Guild have been in my life always. I have been an actor for 45 years, and... I am so proud to be an actor. And so proud that my fellow actors would give me this. I mean it. Actors…we inspire, we provoke and we entertain, and never, ever has that been needed more in this country than it is right now. [applause/cheers] Thank you for this. It means so much to me. Screen Actors Guild Awards Page 75 of 132 Acceptance Speeches Transcripts 16th ANNUAL SCREEN ACTORS GUILD AWARDS 16. Jeff Bridges Film — Crazy Heart Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role JEFF BRIDGES: Whoo! Oh! [standing ovation] Thank you. Thank you so much. Aw, this means so much to me. My god, this is a heavy thing. Whoa! This means so much to be acknowledged like this by my acting family. You guys, that’s what it’s like. It’s like a big family with you guys, playing “advanced pretend.” You know, my mom was real good at that. You always encouraged us to pretend, and it’s like this is just, you know, an advanced version of that. And it especially feels wonderful to be nominated in this great group of actors, with my buddy George, and all of you guys. You’re such wonderful actors. I love being an actor. You know, pretending to be other people, getting into the shoes of other folks. Please wrap it up?! Oh man! I wish I was – I mean, there’s so many people to thank. Okay, I’m just gonna have to— MERYL STREEP: Don’t listen to them. BRIDGES: Don’t listen to it? Just don’t – you did the best one. Yeah, I love that when you just... you know. Scott Cooper, the great director, writer. Thomas Cobb, the wonderful writer of the book. All of the wonderful actors in the movie, Maggie Gyllenhaal, her tenderness, her strength, it was so wonderful to be a part of. Colin Farrell, Bob Duvall, my god, what a dream working with those guys. T- Bone Burnett creating all that great music. My dear friend Steven Bruton. And, oh yeah, Bone turned me on to a great singing coach, if you guys need to do any singing, Roger Love [sp], he’s very good. He does it over the phone, if you can believe it. And I gotta give a shout out to Lloyd Catlett, my stand-in over 50 years. You know, he’s from Texas. Anytime I gotta do a Texan, I just – and just Lloyd gives me a little Texas. You know, that’s – thank you, Lloyd. And my teachers, you know, in life and in acting: my mother, my father and my brother, thank you guys. And my main teacher, where are you, I can’t see you? My wife, Sue, wave your hands. There you are! Thank you, sweetheart. And thank all of you guys. Love playin’ with you! 16. Sandra Bullock Film — The Blind Side Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role SANDRA BULLOCK: Oh, if this were only not televised, so I could use the appropriate words I’m feeling right now. I am Sandra Bullock, and I’m an actor. And I am...…so proud to say that in a room full of faces that have inspired me, and allowed me six years ago to say I’m going to stop working ‘cause I wasn’t doing good work, and audition again. And you say goodbye to the money, and you say goodbye to all the things that you became comfortable with. Screen Actors Guild Awards Page 76 of 132 Acceptance Speeches Transcripts In 2006, I sat in this room with a little film called “Crash,” and I got to look at the people who got me here. So, to the Screen Actors Guild, thank you so much. To the opportunities from John Lee Hancock, our director, who allowed me to step up to the plate. To Francie Brown, my dialects coach, who stayed in the room when I had a temper tantrum. To Alar Kivilo, our cinematographer. If you saw what I looked like in the morning, and what ended up on film, two very different things. To my fellow actors on screen: Tim McGraw, Quinton Aaron, Jae Head, Lily Collins, Kathy Bates, the list goes on and on. I adore you and I’m inspired by you. And to my husband, Jesse, who works so hard all day, and you get dressed up in monkey suits, and you sit at a table with people you don’t know. And I leave you there and then you come back with, like, Morgan Freeman’s email. I don’t know how you do it. I love you so much, and you’re really hot. And... I want you so much. And just to everyone in this room, thank you for making me proud to be an actor, and allowing me to be here. And just accepting me. Thank you so much. 16. Christoph Waltz Film — Inglourious Basterds Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role Thank you so much. A stage actor acts on a stage. But a screen actor doesn’t act on the screen. The stage actor just walks on by himself, but the screen actor is put on by projectionist. Yet we dedicate our lives to our contribution of the whole, and yes in occasional fits of megalomania we consider ourselves worthy of a script like “Inglourious Basterds,” or a director like Quentin Tarantino, or men like Harvey Weinstein, or David Linde, or a studio like Weinstein or Universal. Or partners like Brad or Diane, and back-up personally like Adam Schweitzer and Lisa Kasteler. But after the rude awakening, we just carry on with our lives. We work towards what can only be hoped for in utmost secrecy. This is what I was granted by working with Quentin Tarantino on “Inglourious Basterds.” For this I’m indebted and grateful to all of you, for this as well. To all of you, including the projectionist. Thank you. 16. Mo’Nique Film – Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role MO’NIQUE: Wow. Thank you to every member of the Screen Actors Guild. I am so very honored. There are some people that I must thank, that could easily go overlooked. But without these people, this film could have not been what it is. I have to say thank you to Aunt Dot, who plays Mary Jones’ mother. I have to say thank you to the Each One Teach One Students, y’all were absolutely amazing. I have to say thank you to Lisa Cortes, who was an amazing producer, and who put the work in every single day. And I have to thank the little girl that we called “Mongo.” Her name is Quishay, and I want to thank that baby and her mother for allowing us to use that special gift in this project. Lee Daniels, Screen Actors Guild Awards Page 77 of 132 Acceptance Speeches Transcripts you never cease to amaze me. God got somethin’ on you brother that you can’t begin to imagine the gift. God bless us all. Thank you very much. 16. Film — Inglourious Basterds Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture ELI ROTH: Thank you, George Clooney. Thank you so much. Come on up here, guys. The great Michael Fassbender, Jacky Ido, Christoph Waltz, B.J. Novak, Diane Kruger, Omar Doom and myself. On behalf of the whole cast of “Inglourious Basterds,” we want to say thank you to Mr. Quentin Tarantino——for – for what you did for this film. A year ago – a year ago, we all sat down in Berlin and we read through the script and we all sat around, and we saw that Quentin had pulled together actors from Ireland and from Austria and from France, and from Newton, Massachusetts, and from Germany and from New York, and from the Fangoria Convention. And pulled together such a wonderful, wonderful cast. We all felt it was really something special. So, it was an honor to be a part of it, Quentin. And, for every actor out there, we just want you to know that whether you are Brad Pitt, one of the biggest stars in the world, or someone who has never acted in a motion picture, your vote is a vote for director Quentin Tarantino, who, if he feels you are right for the part, he will give it to you. And, Quentin, your belief in us lets us rise to the occasion and brings out the best in all of us. It was an honor to be a part of this. We love you. Thank you so much. Thank you, everyone. 16. Drew Barrymore Television — Grey Gardens Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries Um, um, okay. Thank you very much. Again, I’m not used to this, and, um um, um... Okay. But funny, improv is usually a good thing, and it’s backfiring on me very badly right now. I’m someone who – I want to speak from my heart and spontaneously, and this is not going well. Um, I just – I’m very proud to be a member of this Guild, all 120,000 members are just incredible. And this started in 1933, and my family was – the Barrymores were acting at that time, and I’m very honored to keep their name alive. And I’m very... … honored to be in this room with you. And Jessica, to be in your company. And Michael, for you to give me a chance, I’m incredibly indebted. Because we just want so badly to express range and to try things that we never thought we could do, or take risks. And right now I feel really sick—[laughter—and nervous, and that is a good thing. Because when you feel that way, I think you’re on a good path, at least in a professional sense. Thank you so much. Thank you. Thank you, thank you. 16. Kevin Bacon Television — Taking Chance Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries Screen Actors Guild Awards Page 80 of 132 Acceptance Speeches Transcripts 16. Television – Glee Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series JANE LYNCH: We have also the largest cast. My God, you guys, come on. This is unreal. We want to say congratulations to all the other nominees, and we couldn’t be happier to be acting on this show. And to be chosen by our peers means the world to us. We would like to thank Ryan Murphy for giving us the parts of a lifetime. [cast applauds] Brad Falchuk and Ian Brennan, and Ryan for pitching into our strike zone every week. And we thank them so much. And of course, you don’t do this in a vacuum. We want to thank our crew who do in 10 days what should take a month-and-a-half. So, thank you so much. Screen Actors Guild Awards Page 81 of 132 Acceptance Speeches Transcripts 17th ANNUAL SCREEN ACTORS GUILD AWARDS 17. Colin Firth Film — The King's Speech Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role Oh, this is really something. Thank you. Now, until today I would say probably if ever I felt that I’ve had a trophy which is – told me that something’s really happening for me – it was my SAG card. And, you know, to be a part of this extraordinary collective, if you – growing up in England you – it’s not something you expect to see in your wallet really. And so it has this glow and I used to flash it around, hoping it would get me female attention. And... entry into night clubs and top level government departments – and it didn’t. And now I’ve got this. So, I’d like to thank – looking out at who’s here – I’d like to thank security for letting me into the building. And I would like to single out just three of I think the most extraordinary members of my profession: Anthony Andrews, Geoffrey Rush and Helena Bonham Carter. They’re my dream cast. I want to take you all and just – and go on tour. And I’d like to bring my resident magician, Tom Hooper; our extraordinary writer, David Seidler. It would have to be produced by Emile Sherman, Ian Canning, and Gareth Unwin, and of course, the intrepid Harvey and everyone at the Weinstein Company. And just for their company alone, if not for their extraordinary wisdom and skill: Jessica Kolstad, Chris Andrews, Pauline Marois, and my friend Tom Ford. And, you know, at the heart of it all, as always, would be my constant beautiful traveler, Olivia. Thank you very much. 17. Natalie Portman Film — Black Swan Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role Thank you so much. Jeff Bridges, thank you. And to all the actresses in this category and the performances this year in general. I’m so humbled to be among you. And I’ve been working since I was eleven years old, and SAG has taken care of me. They made sure that I wasn’t working too long and made sure that I got my education while I was working. And I’m so grateful to have this Union protecting me every day. And... my fellow actors in the film: Mila, Vincent, Winona, Barbara, all of the dancers, everyone who helped me prepare for the film; Mary Helen Bowers who trained me for a year. And of course, Darren Aronofsky, our director, who I love so much. My parents who, you know, always tell me to work my hardest and never me an asshole, never acceptable. And my fiancé, Benjamin Millepied, I love you very much. Thank you. 17. Christian Bale Film — The Fighter Screen Actors Guild Awards Page 82 of 132 Acceptance Speeches Transcripts Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role CHRISTIAN BALE: Well, thank you so much, you know, this being... [DICKY EKLUND JOINS CHRISTIAN BALE AT PODIUM] CHRISTIAN BALE: Hey, Dicky! All right! All right. This is the original “placker” [sp] right here, you know! DICKY EKLUND: All right, buddy. Good job, Christian. CHRISTIAN BALE: Thank you, mate. Thank you for living the life, and thank you for letting me play you, you know. DICKY EKLUND; How do you like me now? CHRISTIAN BALE: You’re a real gentleman, you know, mate? I like you now. I like you now. DICKY EKLUND: So do I. CHRISTIAN BALE: Thank you so much, guys. This is really meaningful getting it from fellow actors. I truly appreciate that. And, you know, these speeches often get boring because the problem is that when you win something you realize just how many other people you’re dependent upon. So, you know, absolutely, to my fellow actors, they were just stunning. To my director, producers, the writers, Relativity, Paramount for pushing this, recognizing what they had here, you know, I really appreciate that. Thank you so much. You know, I love acting, I love what we do. It’s so bloody silly at times, isn’t it? You know, it’s like playing dress-up and other times it is so meaningful and I just enjoy that so much; we get to walk in other people’s shoes. And, you know, a life without empathy is no fun at all, and I appreciate being able to do that. I sometimes get asked by young actors, you know, hey, how did you get into this business, and it’s such an elusive, so mysterious business to get into, isn’t it? And I’ve never had any bloody answers whatsoever. One thing is, just in finding people fascinating. You know, I find people endlessly fascinating and as long as you can do that, then each project seems like something new. And like you’ve got no idea how to do it, you’ve got to discover something once again. Also, bumping into Mark Wahlberg ain’t bad. All right? I mean, it helped me immensely. If anybody else can manage to fix that one, it’s good for... Having a great team around you, and my mate, Patrick Whitesell, has had my back for so many years. And then the most important team of all, my wife and my daughter. Thank you, my loves. I love you. Cheers. 17. Melissa Leo Film — The Fighter Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role Screen Actors Guild Awards Page 85 of 132 Acceptance Speeches Transcripts Wow, I was given an award by Alec and Betty White. That’s - thank you so much, I really appreciate that. This is a little – I didn’t know this was going to be the first one, so I’m a little – I’m very nervous. I want to thank, and tip my hat to Bryan Cranston, Michael C. Hall and Jon Hamm, and Hugh Laurie; it’s an honor to be nominated with you. I want to thank our amazing crew on “Boardwalk,” they’ve been a second family to us. I want to thank Ellen Lewis, our wonderful casting director, on the pilot. I want to thank her especially for sticking with me and having faith after my awful audition 27 years ago when she brought me in to see Brian de Palma for “The Untouchables.” So, I was, you know, just like, “Huma-huma-huma, thank you. Huma- huma, okay,” and I left. And Meredith Tucker, who cast the show now, thanks for bringing us all the wonderful actors that you bring – that you bring in. I can’t talk, I’m sorry. I want to thank all our wonderful directors led by my hero Tim Van Patten. I want to thank all the writers on the show, and especially the one who is, you know, he does every role in his head: Terry Winter. Thank you so much, we love you. Congratulations to Martin Scorsese, yesterday for his DGA win. Marty, we love you, we hope you feel better and we love working with you. Please come back. I want to thank Staci Wolfe, Lee Stollman, Esther Chang and everybody at WME. My wife Jo and Lucian. I want to thank my mom and dad, thank you so much for just letting me be me. I love you. I love all of you, I love actors. Thank you so much, I really appreciate this. 17. Betty White Television – Hot in Cleveland Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series I cannot believe this. I... I – and, and they had to get the old broad up those stairs, and that’s not easy. I must say, this is the biggest surprise I’ve ever had in this business. There wasn’t a prayer, I am so lucky to be at this – at 89 to be working with... You didn’t applaud when I turned 40. I don’t know when... No, but I’m working on the happiest set I think in the business. We have these ladies: Valerie Bertinelli, and Wendie Malick, and Jane Leeves, and all of the – the whole wonderful cast of “Hot in Cleveland.” We can’t wait to go to work every day. I know that sounds like a cliché to say we’re family, we’re more than family. We fell in love the first day we worked together and it’s still like that. I just can’t believe – but to have this happen, on top of... ooh! On top of everything else, I cannot say thank you enough. 17. Alec Baldwin Television – 30 Rock Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series Oh wow, man, that’s so weird. I have to say, all the best lines I had obviously come from Tina, and Tina said, when Melissa Leo won for “The Fighter,” she goes, “She’s doing Poehler, she’s doing Amy.” “She’s just doing you in the show.” And if you know Amy, that’s Amy. Anyway, never mind. Anyway, I’m so happy to get this from you. Screen Actors Guild Awards Page 86 of 132 Acceptance Speeches Transcripts Listen, I don’t know what to say, this is ridiculous. I’m so happy, we’ve had a great year with the show, and I feel compelled – because of everybody else – to thank the Teamsters. Thank you to the Teamsters, in New York. When you work in New York and you gotta go to work, you don’t want to have to get a cab or the subway; it was very nice to have these people drive us to work every day. But most of all I want to thank Lorne and Marci, and Tina, Robert Carlock, John Riggi, Matt Hubbard, all of our writers, our cast. I’m going to wrap it up and say thank you all. Thank you to all the people from SAG who gave me this award again. Thank you so much. 17. Television – Boardwalk Empire Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series STEVE BUSCEMI: I lost my speech, I had it written on the other paper and I don’t know where it is, so I don’t have any of the names that I wanted to thank. But I’m so glad that this cast won because I love them all so much. We love all the actors in our cast. We want to thank HBO for giving us this opportunity and all the support that they give us: Richard Plepler, Sue Naegle, Michael Lombardo, Jocelyn Diaz – who am I forgetting, I don’t know. Gene Kelly, we want to – well, all the producers. Now I have time left and I have to keep talking. Somebody else could talk, I’m supposed to represent. PAZ DE LA HUERTA: Thank you Ellen Lewis in believing in me and everybody here. You’re phenomenal. And Martin Scorsese, of course. And Terry Winter. STEVE BUSCEMI: Thank you so much. This is an honor, thank you so much. 17. Television – Modern Family Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series ED O’NEILL: Hi, how ya doing? When the cast told me they wanted me to speak, I started to think, “Gee, I hope we don’t win.” But thank you Screen Actors Guild members, this was one that I think we all wanted because the show, as you know is set up for an ensemble. And we’re having a ball doing it, I’m very lucky to have the job – we all are. I’d like to thank our producers: Chris Lloyd and Steve Levitan. Our directors, our writers are great. The kids are wonderful, and that’s it. Thank you. Screen Actors Guild Awards Page 87 of 132 Acceptance Speeches Transcripts 18th ANNUAL SCREEN ACTORS GUILD AWARDS 18. Jean Dujardin Film — The Artist Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role Oy…oh my god my god my god my god my god my god my god my god my god! Thank you. Okay, it’s too much. I was a very bad student. I didn’t listen in class. I was always dreaming. My teachers called me “Jean de la lune” – “Jean of the moon.” And I realize now that I never stopped dreaming. Thank you very much. Thank you for this dream. Thank you for – thank you to the Screen Actors Guild. It’s an honor. Thank you to the Harvey Weinstein Company. Thank you to the courageous Thomas Langmann. Thank you, Berenice Bejo, my partner. Thank you, James Cromwell. I love you. Penelope, “Niecy.” And thank you, Michel, for giving me this incredible gift of “George Valentine.” Thank you. Merci beaucoup, bon soir, au revoir. 18. Viola Davis Film —The Help Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role I was eight years old when I decided to be an actor. And I am just so privileged to be gazing on the beautiful face of the woman who inspired me that beautiful day, and that’s Cicely Tyson. And when I woke up and realized how difficult it was to be an actor, and how the rejection was so high, then another beautiful face graced the screen when I was in college, and that was Meryl, who just… …always inspires me. But there’s so many people involved in “The Help,” in lieu of mentioning all them, I just have to say that, what is there but a dream. You can’t trade in your dream for another dream. I am so proud to be an actor, and I thank the Screen Actors Guild for this award. And I have a special, special note to the kids in Central Falls, Rhode Island, in Segue Institute of Learning in Central Falls, Rhode Island: to dream big and dream fierce. Thank you very much. 18. Christopher Plummer Film — Beginners Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role I just can’t tell you what fun I have had being a member of the world’s second oldest profession. I mean, actors are gregarious and wacky – are they not - and I love them dearly. But when they honor you, it’s like being lit by the Holy Grail. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Of course, my admiration and respect goes out to my fellow nominees. I’m so flattered to be on the same bill. And I want to thank my screen partner, Ewan McGregor, who makes acting look so impossibly easy! Screen Actors Guild Awards Page 90 of 132 Acceptance Speeches Transcripts you. And to all the Michael Pitt fans out there – I know, I’m sorry, please stop yelling at me on the street. Thank you so much. And to my wife, Jill, thank you. Thank you. 18. Betty White Television – Hot in Cleveland Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series Oh my dears, my dears, my… I don’t think they can read. I think they made a terrible mistake. You can’t name me without naming those other wonderful women on “Hot in Cleveland.” This nomination, I was thrilled, of course, but the nomination belongs to four of us. And, please, please, know that I’m dealing them right in with this. I’m not gonna let them keep this, but I’ll let them see it. Oh, oh I remember you, sweetheart. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. To the Screen Actors Guild and particularly to Valerie Bertinelli, Jane Leeves, Wendie Malick and all the wonderful people on “Hot in Cleveland.” Thank you. 18. Alec Baldwin Television – 30 Rock Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God, oh my God, oh my God!! Oh my God!!! Hey, Kristen. Oh my God! I just want to say, the only thing this means to me is that obviously you people love Tina’s writing and you love Robert Carlock’s writing. I want to have a big round of applause because everybody… in television – it is not going to work unless you have great writing. I mean, no offense to everybody else here, but we have the greatest writing. We have the greatest writers. We have Tina and Robert Carlock and John Riggi and Hubbard and Burditt and all these people, and Kay and Tracey, too many to name. And it’s been a real pleasure, it’s been a real honor, and I just want to say, this is so amazing to me to have this happen so many times in a row. I’m so happy, I’m so touched. And this year I was asked to be ambassador—I’ll put in a plug for the SAG Foundation – I was asked to be ambassador – hey, Brad – of the SAG Foundation. Which does a lot of outside work, chief among which is their literacy program, Book Pals. Why don’t you check that out online, Book Pals, and do what you can do to help the SAG Foundation? Thank you all very much, it’s a great pleasure. Thank you. 18. Television – Boardwalk Empire Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series Steve Buscemi: That’s it. I got nothing. Martin Scorsese [applause/cheers]. Thank you. We are so honored. We love doing this show. Terry Winter, thank you so much for giving us all these incredible parts to play. Meredith Tucker, our wonderful casting director, everybody at HBO, Richard Plepler, Michael Lombardo, Sue Nagel, all of our representation. We want to thank all our agents and managers, I’m sure. [To Cast] Give me the names. I got time, I got eight seconds. Thank you so -- this is such as honor to be standing in front of all you wonderful actors. Screen Actors Guild Awards Page 91 of 132 Acceptance Speeches Transcripts Screen Actors Guild, thank you so much on behalf of all of us. Thank you. 18. Television – Modern Family Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series NOLAN GOULD: I think it was the late, great W.C.Fields who said, “Never work with kids or animals.” Well, he can kiss my— [cast members cover Nolan’s mouth and pull him away from microphone] RICO RODRIGUEZ: On behalf of the entire cast and crew, the writers and the producers, and all the great guest cast we had on our show this year, we just want to thank you for letting us all be a part of all your families. NOLAN GOULD: Animals? Really? Do I get a beef treat for all this? Nooo. ARIEL WINTER: Okay, okay. We honestly have the greatest jobs any actor could ever ask for. The opportunity that we get to make people laugh each week is, you know, we take that very seriously. And thank you to Jeff Greenberg and his casting associate Allen Hooper, our amazing casting directors who brought us to Chris and Steve three years ago. GOULD: And also… I’m good, guys. Thank you to the unions. See? For making sure we’re properly fed, have all our shots, cleaned, and are put in our pens each night by sundown. WINTER: Okay, okay. RODRIGUEZ: Thank you SAG memberships for voting for us. We really appreciate it. Thank you. WINTER: Thank you. Screen Actors Guild Awards Page 92 of 132 Acceptance Speeches Transcripts 19th ANNUAL SCREEN ACTORS GUILD AWARDS 19. Daniel Day-Lewis Film — Lincoln Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role Thank you. Thank you to all my brothers and sisters in the Screen Actors Guild. I’m very happy to be in this room with you tonight. Deepest respect to my fellow nominees. He’s probably not looking in tonight, but Joaquin, you are a remarkable actor and I’m sorry you’re not with us this evening. My wonderful colleagues, every single cast member, many of whom are here tonight, gave their characters the kiss of life and have no doubt that this is an ensemble award. I’d like to thank Leonardo DiCaprio, my friend, and Liam Neeson, both who gave me great support and encouragement. And when I was prowling around the idea and wondering whether I could take the risk of doing it, for some reason the guiding principle of the Hippocratic Oath kept nagging at me: First do no harm. And with that modest but important ambition, I set out. And then it occurred to me that it was an actor that murdered Abraham Lincoln. And therefore somehow it’s only fitting that every now and then an actor tries to bring him back to life again. I’m terribly proud to have been allowed to carry the baton for a while and now to pass it on. Everything flowed from Steven Spielberg. Thank you. 19. Jennifer Lawrence Film — Silver Linings Playbook Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role Thank you. Oh my God, this is incredible. Thank you so much. I want to thank MTV. I’ll explain that. I earned my SAG card when I was 14. I did an MTV promo for “My Super Sweet 16.” And I remember getting it in the mail and it being the best day of my entire life, because it officially made me a professional actor, which put me in the category with all of you. And now I have this naked statue that means that some of you even voted for me. And that is an undescribable [sic] feeling. Thank you. And I want to thank David. You made a movie for your son, so that he wouldn’t feel alone and so that he could feel understood. And I think I can speak on behalf of most of us in saying that you helped more than your son. You’ve helped so many sons and daughters and… cousins, wives, everybody. Bradley, my performance would not be what it is without you. You made me better every day and I can say the same for the movie, that the movie would not be what it is without you. And Harvey, I mean, this is just… I don’t even know what to say anymore. You’re a rascal, I’ve said that. You have nourished the filmmakers who have nourished me, and you’ve paved a pretty much impossible road for all of us. So thank you. And thank you to my family, I love you. Thank you. Screen Actors Guild Awards Page 95 of 132 Acceptance Speeches Transcripts You know, I am the recipient of this incredible collaboration and the success of my performance is hugely defined by that of those I work with. Mainly Damian, the dark or light side of my moon, depending on how you look at it. Mandy… and David and David. And also the actors… Rupert now, our new cast member. The actors I don’t really get to act with actively so much, Morena and Morgan. But we are so very connected and, you know, Morena, for example, runs my lines with me almost every night, while making dinner for me. So, I’m just so indebted to them. And my team, Michael Aglion, and Jodi Gottlieb, Cliff-Gilbert Lurie and my date tonight, Stephanie Ritz. My other date, Brian Swardstrom. Stephanie, I remember when, my agent, when we were talking about potentially taking this role on, she said, “Well, you know, you’ll have a lot to do!” Which is kind of the understatement of my career. So, I owe all of that “doing” to Alex Gansa and Howard Gordon and Gideon Raff and Michael Cuesta. Thank you so much. This really means an enormous amount to me. Thank you. Oh! And my husband my baby! 19. Brian Cranston Television — Breaking Bad Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series Thank you. Oh, it is so good to be bad. I am so pleased and so honored to receive this award. I’d love to thank our very courageous network, AMC, and our all- supportive studio, Sony Television. Our writers, directors, our beautiful crew in New Mexico who work so hard. Also, Vince Gilligan who wrote… …he wrote the role of my career and I am forever grateful to you, sir. To my lovely wife and daughter, Robin and Taylor, who wrote…who created the role of my life, I love you guys so much. I am so pleased that I am here with this table of great actors, with Aaron Paul and Anna Gunn, Jonathan Banks, Bob Odenkirk, RJ Mitte, Dean Norris, Laura Fraser, Jesse Plemons, Steven Michael Quezada, Betsy – I’m so excited. Thank you all for – and all the actors who have graced our stage with their talent. Thank you for making me a better actor and a richer man for knowing you. Thank you to Sharon Bialy and Sherry Thomas, our beautiful casting directors. What a wonderful job. And to my brothers and sisters in SAG- AFTRA who have endowed me with this wonderful, wonderful award. And so, tonight at least I’m well endowed. Thank you very much and goodnight. 19. Tina Fey Television – 30 Rock Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series Oh my goodness! That’s so nice. Thank you for letting me in this union, and I… I share this with everyone else in our cast. With Jane and Tracy and Judah and Alec, and Keith and Scott and everybody. I feel like, I also want to say I share this with my sweet friend, Amy Poehler who I’ve known for so long. I’ve stolen many of your moves. Amy, I’ve known you since you were pregnant with Lena Dunham. I’ve known you so long. And I love you. Screen Actors Guild Awards Page 96 of 132 Acceptance Speeches Transcripts And to Robert Carlock for keeping this ridiculous train moving when I was on set. And to my husband Jeff Richmond for scoring every episode for free, because we’re married. I love you so much. And thank you so much where our finale is on this Thursday at 8:00. Up against “The Big Bang Theory.” So, just tape “The Big Bang Theory” for once, for crying out loud! Thank you. 19. Alec Baldwin Television – 30 Rock Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series Oh my God! This is ridiculous. So again I have to say thank you to Tina and to all of our writers, great, great writers; it’s the end of our show, which is sad, everybody’s sad about that. It was the greatest experience I’ve ever had. So thank you to Tina and Robert Carlock and Kay Cannon and all of our writers who were fantastic. I want to thank my wife Hilaria who is here with me, who is my real prize in this world, another greatest thing. And my agent Matt DelPiano from CAA asked me to thank him, and to mention that he was the greatest agent in the history of show business. And I want to say now that I’m out of a job and I’m unemployed, Matt DelPiano is the greatest agent in the history of show business. Thank you all very much and goodnight. Thank you. 19. Television – Downton Abbey Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series PHYLLIS LOGAN: We are so not expecting this. Oh! Shut the French windows, honestly. Oh! Oh, would somebody grab this. Oh, we… here. Oh! We would like to thank, well, first of all the SAG for even bothering to consider us against this fantastic category that we’re in. We’re just absolutely overwhelmed by it all. And here’s Allen, Sophie and Michelle and Amy. If I forget anything, come and whisper in my ear, will you? And, thank you to PBS, Rebecca Eaton, for putting us on in the first place. NBC Universal. Must thank Julian Fellowes, of course, who started this whole thing going. And all at Carnival Films, Gareth Neame, Liz Truebridge, and, of course, Peter Fincham at ITV. What else have I forgotten? Anyway, we wouldn’t… hey? Yes! We… …all our fellow Downtonians who can’t be here, we’re really sorry and wish they were. But we wouldn’t be a proper ensemble without our crew who are amazing. And they’re as much part of it as we are. So, here’s to our crew. In fact, all your wonderful crews as well, I’m sure, too. Thank you so much. 19. Television – Modern Family Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series JESSE TYLER FERGUSON: I’ve been elected to speak for the group. We are so honored to be nominated against the brilliant casts of “Glee” and “Nurse Jackie,” “Big Bang” ratings – “Theory.” But also I think we’d be doing the evening a great disservice if we didn’t mention the brilliant departing cast of “30 Rock” and “The Office.” You all have set the comedy bar so high, and if we can just be half as brilliant and smart and wonderful as you are, then we’ve succeeded. Screen Actors Guild Awards Page 97 of 132 Acceptance Speeches Transcripts We’re all fans of yours, except for Aubrey, she has no idea who you guys are. But if we can absorb any of you into our cast, if you need jobs, please call our casting director, Jeff Greenberg. Which brings me to Jeff Greenberg: thank you so much for these jobs. All of us are indebted to you. Ed O’Neill was offer only so he’d probably be here anyway. And I think Sofia had a development deal, but the rest of us are very indebted to you. Thank you so much. This is a huge honor. We love being actors. You’ve been so generous. Thank you.