Russell Crowe has won Best Performance by an Actor in a Limited Series or Movie at the 77th Annual Golden Globe Awards — but he wasn’t there to claim it.
Instead, The Loudest Voice actor sent the Hollywood Foreign Press Association a speech for presenter Jennifer Aniston, to read on his behalf.
He may not have been in the room, however, he delivered what was sure to be the most important statement of the night.
“Russell Crowe could not be here tonight because he is at home in Australia protecting his family from the devastating bush fires,” Aniston read, before reading the message Crowe asked to be read out if he won.
“Make no mistake, the tragedy unfolding in Australia is climate change based. We need to act based on science, move our global workforce to renewable energy and respect our planet for the unique and amazing place it is — that way, we all have a future. Thank you.”
The Australian bush fires are making front-page headlines internationally, burning over 15 million hectares of bush, destroyed thousands of homes, wildlife and have killed at least 23 people and more missing.
This wasn’t the only time the catastrophic fires have been referenced during the coverage.
Pierce Brosnan, along with his sons Dylan and Paris, acknowledged the fires, and sent their thoughts to those affected.
“God bless,” Brosnan said.
And during her acceptance speech for the Carol Burnett Award, Ellen DeGeneres started by saying: “My heart goes out to Australia, for all the animals you’ve lost.”
The win marks the second for Crowe and sixth nomination at the Golden Globes for his role as Roger Ailes in The Loudest Voice.
Ricky Gervais hosted the annual awards show, which was televised from the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles.
WATCH: Jennifer Aniston reading Russell Crowe’s message at the 77th Annual Golden Globe Awards.
Russell Crowe, in absentia, with perhaps the most poignant statement you'll hear tonight pic.twitter.com/Tx0H5RruoU
— Timothy Burke (@bubbaprog) January 6, 2020