3rd Annual SAG Awards™ Acceptance Speeches
For Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series
Julia Louis-Dreyfuss / SEINFELD
JULIA LOUIS-DREYFUSS: Well, thank you very much, all of you actor people. In particular I’d like to thank some very special members of the Screen Actors Guild: Jerry Seinfeld, Jason Alexander, and Michael Richards. Without whom I’m no where and I love them very much. They know that. Thanks very much.
I would just like to say a special thanks to my, my husband, Brad Halls, who’s just fantastic. Thank you very much. [Applause]
GILLIAN ANDERSON: I’m going to read. This is something that our creator Chris Carter has written and something I’m suppose 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 not 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. [Applause]
NO SPEECH
JOHN LITHGOW: Thank you so much. This is a particular honor being an award that comes to actors from actors.
I have had a couple of opportunities this year to thank the loud, raucous, happy group at that table there. So I would like to do something a little different in the spirit of this evening, this actor friendly evening. I would like to pay special tribute to the other gentlemen in my category.
To an actor I saw in his brilliant, Tony winning performance in Joan Robbin on Broadway, long before anyone had ever heard of George Castanza, Jason Alexander.
To an actor whom I saw set an amazing, warm, happy, creative tone on the set of Frazier when I was a guest voice on that show, Kelsey Grammar.
To an actor, who fifteen years ago, in my twelfth Broadway show, had his Broadway debut and walked on stage and got the biggest laughs of the show, David Hyde Pierce.
And finally to one of the funniest men on television who I am shamelessly imitating about fifty percent of the time on 3rd Rock From the Sun. Who without even knowing it was largely responsible for me even trying comedy on television, Michael Richards.
Gentlemen, I am very, very proud to be in the same category with you.
To all the rest of you, I am proud to be in the same profession as you. Thank you very, very, very much. [Applause]
NO SPEECH
KATHY BATES: 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. [Applause]
NO SPEECH
For Outstanding Performance by a Male in a Drama Series
Dennis Franz / NYPD BLUE
DENNIS FRANZ: I do, I owe you money Jimmy Spitz, Jimmy Spitz, Jimmy Spitz. I’m 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 it self 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.
I have to acknowledge the man who’s most responsible for every word that us actors speak on the show and he fights tooth and nail for everything we do and say on our show and without him there would n=be no NYPD Blue. We all admire and respect and love David Milch. [Applause]
Steven Bochco, thanks for the job. Thanks for not killing off Sipowicz the first year.
Bill Clark, Mike Robin, Mark tinker, Bob Doherty – thanks for being there everyday guys. Judith Mess, Sam Gorrs, Cynthia Synder.
My beautiful wife, Jonie,, our two wonderful kids Tricia and Krista. Thanks for making me lucky to be an actor. Thank you all. [Applause]
JERRY SEINFELD: My name is Jerry Seinfeld and I’m a bad actor. [Laugh]
But I think I have proven convincingly that you can do very well In our business if you are smart enough to surround yourself with these spectacular talents that I have here beside me. [Applause]
Jason Alexander, Michael Richards, and Julia Louis-Dreyfuss.
I would also like to mention our wonderful director, Andy Acklemen, who’s helped us in a thousand ways and takes in shows that really people would not want to do and does the so well.
So we are enormously honored and thrilled. We wanted to win this and we’re so happy that we did.
I also think that the people who don’t show up should forfeit. If you don’t show up, the award goes to people who dressed up and come in here. Thank you. [Applause]
ANGELA LANSBURY: Thank you, thank you. Thank you Glenny. (Glenn Close) It was so dear that you remembered our meeting. I still have the tiny little dish that you gave me. And I use it as a stopper for a teapot that I broke the top of and I always think of you every time I use it.
I feel so enormously honored to receive this most heart warming life achievement award from the organization of my peers, The Screen Actor’s Guild.
And I do thank Richard Maser, the membership most sincerely.
It’s a particularly lovely occasion for me because my whole family is here with me. My beloved husband, Peter, who must take credit for supporting and guiding me through these many years. [Applause]
And my wonderful children: Anthony, Dedra, and David. All of who have joined me in the great adventure of the family business.
You know, over the past 54 years I‘ve been fortunate enough to have worked with some of the greatest talents in the business: actors, directors, producers, composers, lyricist, and animators. And wonderful Crafts people: crews, carpenters, lighting technicians, cameramen – all of them in that respect I have been.
It has been an outstanding life, especially for me. I just love actors. [Applause] I love the creative environment of our work. I mean the sets, again a family, whether it be on the stage, in a film or on television.
And the great news is girls, the opportunities are out there for us at all ages. I mean look at some of the exquisite work of the women in film today. I feel absolutely galvanized to keep going and strike out for new career goals. I really do. After all, a career as far as I’m concerned is still a work in progress. So you might say I’m in development and I thank you for this extraordinary vote of encouragement. Thank you. [Applause]
ANTHONY EDWARDS: George said to say something nice. We are an ensemble, we are an ensemble of eight actors every week. We’re also an ensemble of probably fifty day players and guest stars that come in, that make up most of the Screen Actors Guild. So we share this with everybody who’s come on our show and we have lots more roles coming up so you don’t have to worry about that. They keep dying for some reason, I don’t know. We keep bringing them back.
This truly is an ensemble but we also work with a crew of people on stage 11 at Warner Brothers. That is, those thankful people who are as much a part of our family as we are to each other and we are to our own family.
We share this with our crew and excellent writers on our show. We thank you very much for watching. Thank you. [Applause]
FRANCES McDORMAND: 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 Coel 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. [Applause]
GEOFFREY RUSH: Thank you very much, Screen Actor’s 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 transity 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 (statue) weighs 10 pounds. 9, 6.67 of it goes to Noah and Alex who played young David Helfgott. [Applause]
Thanks to Scott Hicks anf Jan Sardia for allowing me to work woth 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. [Applause]
NATHAN LANE: Well, what a wonderful surprise. We’re all very grateful for this and for the people who are not here: Dianne Weist, Gene Hackman, Calista Flockhart, and Dan Futterman – who are all incredible.
I am so overwhelmed. This seems to be the year of the independent film. I really didn’t think we had a chance but...[Laugh]
I am very grateful. I am very happy to have a commercial success finally.
We would like to thank Mike Nichols especially for his guidance and Elaine May for her brilliant script and everyone at United Artists especially. I would like to thank on behalf of everyone, especially for myself, I would like to thank Robin Williams for his incredible personality and his incredible generosity and love and his support. I made a true friend and this is certainly his more than anyone else’s. Thank you very much. [Applause]
Julia Louis-Dreyfuss / SEINFELD
JULIA LOUIS-DREYFUSS: Well, thank you very much, all of you actor people. In particular I’d like to thank some very special members of the Screen Actors Guild: Jerry Seinfeld, Jason Alexander, and Michael Richards. Without whom I’m no where and I love them very much. They know that. Thanks very much.
I would just like to say a special thanks to my, my husband, Brad Halls, who’s just fantastic. Thank you very much. [Applause]
For Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series
Gillian Anderson / THE X-FILES GILLIAN ANDERSON: I’m going to read. This is something that our creator Chris Carter has written and something I’m suppose 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 not 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. [Applause]
For Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor for a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
Cuba Gooding, Jr. / JERRY MAGUIRENO SPEECH
For Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series
John Lithgow / 3rd ROCK FROM THE SUN JOHN LITHGOW: Thank you so much. This is a particular honor being an award that comes to actors from actors.
I have had a couple of opportunities this year to thank the loud, raucous, happy group at that table there. So I would like to do something a little different in the spirit of this evening, this actor friendly evening. I would like to pay special tribute to the other gentlemen in my category.
To an actor I saw in his brilliant, Tony winning performance in Joan Robbin on Broadway, long before anyone had ever heard of George Castanza, Jason Alexander.
To an actor whom I saw set an amazing, warm, happy, creative tone on the set of Frazier when I was a guest voice on that show, Kelsey Grammar.
To an actor, who fifteen years ago, in my twelfth Broadway show, had his Broadway debut and walked on stage and got the biggest laughs of the show, David Hyde Pierce.
And finally to one of the funniest men on television who I am shamelessly imitating about fifty percent of the time on 3rd Rock From the Sun. Who without even knowing it was largely responsible for me even trying comedy on television, Michael Richards.
Gentlemen, I am very, very proud to be in the same category with you.
To all the rest of you, I am proud to be in the same profession as you. Thank you very, very, very much. [Applause]
For Outstanding Performance by a Male in a Television Movie or Mini Series
Alan Rickman / RASPUTINNO SPEECH
For Outstanding Performance by a Female in a Television Movie or Mini Series
Kathy Bates / THE LATE SHIFTKATHY BATES: 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. [Applause]
For Outstanding Performance by a Female for a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
Lauren Becall / THE MIRROR HAS TWO FACES NO SPEECH
For Outstanding Performance by a Male in a Drama Series
Dennis Franz / NYPD BLUE
DENNIS FRANZ: I do, I owe you money Jimmy Spitz, Jimmy Spitz, Jimmy Spitz. I’m 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 it self 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.
I have to acknowledge the man who’s most responsible for every word that us actors speak on the show and he fights tooth and nail for everything we do and say on our show and without him there would n=be no NYPD Blue. We all admire and respect and love David Milch. [Applause]
Steven Bochco, thanks for the job. Thanks for not killing off Sipowicz the first year.
Bill Clark, Mike Robin, Mark tinker, Bob Doherty – thanks for being there everyday guys. Judith Mess, Sam Gorrs, Cynthia Synder.
My beautiful wife, Jonie,, our two wonderful kids Tricia and Krista. Thanks for making me lucky to be an actor. Thank you all. [Applause]
For Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series
SEINFELDJERRY SEINFELD: My name is Jerry Seinfeld and I’m a bad actor. [Laugh]
But I think I have proven convincingly that you can do very well In our business if you are smart enough to surround yourself with these spectacular talents that I have here beside me. [Applause]
Jason Alexander, Michael Richards, and Julia Louis-Dreyfuss.
I would also like to mention our wonderful director, Andy Acklemen, who’s helped us in a thousand ways and takes in shows that really people would not want to do and does the so well.
So we are enormously honored and thrilled. We wanted to win this and we’re so happy that we did.
I also think that the people who don’t show up should forfeit. If you don’t show up, the award goes to people who dressed up and come in here. Thank you. [Applause]
SAG 33rd Annual Life Achievement Award
Angela LansburyANGELA LANSBURY: Thank you, thank you. Thank you Glenny. (Glenn Close) It was so dear that you remembered our meeting. I still have the tiny little dish that you gave me. And I use it as a stopper for a teapot that I broke the top of and I always think of you every time I use it.
I feel so enormously honored to receive this most heart warming life achievement award from the organization of my peers, The Screen Actor’s Guild.
And I do thank Richard Maser, the membership most sincerely.
It’s a particularly lovely occasion for me because my whole family is here with me. My beloved husband, Peter, who must take credit for supporting and guiding me through these many years. [Applause]
And my wonderful children: Anthony, Dedra, and David. All of who have joined me in the great adventure of the family business.
You know, over the past 54 years I‘ve been fortunate enough to have worked with some of the greatest talents in the business: actors, directors, producers, composers, lyricist, and animators. And wonderful Crafts people: crews, carpenters, lighting technicians, cameramen – all of them in that respect I have been.
It has been an outstanding life, especially for me. I just love actors. [Applause] I love the creative environment of our work. I mean the sets, again a family, whether it be on the stage, in a film or on television.
And the great news is girls, the opportunities are out there for us at all ages. I mean look at some of the exquisite work of the women in film today. I feel absolutely galvanized to keep going and strike out for new career goals. I really do. After all, a career as far as I’m concerned is still a work in progress. So you might say I’m in development and I thank you for this extraordinary vote of encouragement. Thank you. [Applause]
For Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series
ERANTHONY EDWARDS: George said to say something nice. We are an ensemble, we are an ensemble of eight actors every week. We’re also an ensemble of probably fifty day players and guest stars that come in, that make up most of the Screen Actors Guild. So we share this with everybody who’s come on our show and we have lots more roles coming up so you don’t have to worry about that. They keep dying for some reason, I don’t know. We keep bringing them back.
This truly is an ensemble but we also work with a crew of people on stage 11 at Warner Brothers. That is, those thankful people who are as much a part of our family as we are to each other and we are to our own family.
We share this with our crew and excellent writers on our show. We thank you very much for watching. Thank you. [Applause]
For Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Motion Picture
Frances McDormand / FARGOFRANCES McDORMAND: 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 Coel 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. [Applause]
For Outstanding Performance by a Male in a Motion Picture
Geoffrey Rush / SHINEGEOFFREY RUSH: Thank you very much, Screen Actor’s 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 transity 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 (statue) weighs 10 pounds. 9, 6.67 of it goes to Noah and Alex who played young David Helfgott. [Applause]
Thanks to Scott Hicks anf Jan Sardia for allowing me to work woth 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. [Applause]
For Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
BIRDCAGENATHAN LANE: Well, what a wonderful surprise. We’re all very grateful for this and for the people who are not here: Dianne Weist, Gene Hackman, Calista Flockhart, and Dan Futterman – who are all incredible.
I am so overwhelmed. This seems to be the year of the independent film. I really didn’t think we had a chance but...[Laugh]
I am very grateful. I am very happy to have a commercial success finally.
We would like to thank Mike Nichols especially for his guidance and Elaine May for her brilliant script and everyone at United Artists especially. I would like to thank on behalf of everyone, especially for myself, I would like to thank Robin Williams for his incredible personality and his incredible generosity and love and his support. I made a true friend and this is certainly his more than anyone else’s. Thank you very much. [Applause]