Brendan Fraser: 'Where were you for Furry Vengeance?', The Whale, Critics Choice Awards - 2023

16 January 2023, Los Angeles, California, USA

It was Herman Melville who once wrote that there are only five critics in America, the rest are asleep. I don't know what it means either, but I'm sure glad you woke up for me. Where were you for Furry Vengeance?

This movie, The Whale is about love, it's about redemption, and it's about finding the light in a dark place. And I'm so lucky to have worked with an ensemble that is incredible, and includes Hong Chau, who should have her own movie based on every character she's ever played, and Sadie Sink who is [...] incredible. How, how, who are you? Your talent precedes your age, it took me 32 years to get here.

Ty Simpkins, you won the game ball every day. Sam Hunter, you're my lighthouse. And Darren Aronofsky, I was in the wilderness, and I probably should have left a trail of breadcrumbs but you found me, and like all the best directors you merely just showed me where to go to get to where I needed to be.

If you are like a guy like Charlie that I played in this movie in any way struggle with obesity, or you just feel like you're in a dark sea. I want you to know that if you too can have the strength to just get to your feet and go to the light, good things will happen.

Daniel Day Lewis, Jack Nicholson & Robin Williams: 'It's pretty much been a Buddhist evening for me', Critics Choice - 2003

17 January 2003, Los Angeles, California, USA

Salma Hayek: There's been a tie. I swear to God. Okay. So this is what they explained to me. Nobody believes me, but I swear to God, there is a tie. I'm going to say the first name, this wonderful person can come up here and say thank you. And then I will say the second name. So there's going to be so much dramatic tension in this moment. Daniel Day-Lewis from Gangs of New York.

Daniel Day Lewis...: Thank you to the broadcast critics. Harvey. If I keep thanking you in public, people will think we're having an affair, but nonetheless, if you're choosing sides in the playground before a scrap, I would like to have Harvey Weinstein and Graham King on my side.

I've seen wonderful performances this year from actors and actresses, truly wonderful. And most of all, it's a lovely thing to be included amongst them. My supremely talented and sweet and charming colleagues, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Cameron Diaz. Thank you. Both of you. And it would be remiss, I think, if I didn't also thank the, well Eminem and the patron saint of shoemakers. Thank you very much.

Salma Hayek: And Jack Nicholson, About Schmidt.

Jack Nicholson: Well, I don't usually get this baked when it's on television, but I really, this is what's so great about this because my speech was to say, look, it is on television. Robin, would you come up and give... Would you give the funniest acceptance speech I ever gave?

Robin Williams: What Jack is trying to say here is he so happy to be here, he could drop a log. Right now, he wants to thank Jeffrey Katzenberg for the lens.

Jack Nicholson: And the seats.

Robin Williams: And the seats, and way to go. Hopefully Shaq kicked his ass tonight, but Jack, say it more because you're dressed up tonight and wearing the sunglasses inside works even better.

We also want to thank the set decorator for putting in the big balls for the last two minutes of the show, just to really put people at home. I want to thank also the Irish people for right now. Thank all of you for being out there right now, because if it wasn't for all the Irish, you wouldn't have anything working in New York at all. Right now. God bless. And he scares the fuck out of me right now. Tell him Jack, tell him like it is buddy. Cause you're the Buddha of showbusiness. Take it home.

[foreign language 00:04:36].
Jack Nicholson: Not so bad.
Robin Williams: Great set of hands.
Jack Nicholson: Take it easy.

Robin Williams: I want to thank you for getting into that dress, don't let her go.
Jack Nicholson: Until he got here, I couldn't think about anything but spanking Jillian Hall. I don't know what happened. They sent this home to me at night. I just thought, Oh boy, this is great. That's all, I would take it all.
Robin Williams: Like let's do that for the deaf now. [mimes sexual act]
Jack Nicholson: Thank you. This is what happens when you give the Irish free drinks. Very dignified maniac. John C. Riley. I was so afraid when he came up for ensemble, I thought he stayed on the stage for the last time. These are really supposed to be wonderful occasions. This is a wonderful occasion.

Robin Williams: How much money have we raised?

Jack Nicholson: I thought it would be so safe because of the way Jennifer Jason Leigh Alexander started off. I can't believe how many times he's made me laugh tonight. You know? And then I thought, well, I can't be that way unless I get Robin up because I'm going to be going after Steven, who actually got one laugh tonight.

We in About Schmidt are humiliated already tonight because we don't know if we are a comedy or a drama. I got so nervous about it. What I really didn't intend to do is say, I really wanted to say how grateful I am to the film critics for honouring Robin.

Robin Williams: Yeah, thanks for nothing. It's a tie with three people! That's okay, buddy. I just want to thank you. It's so nice to have nothing leaving here. I don't have to thank anybody. You pretty much said fuck you, Robin. Thank you, I hope that's televised. Thank you Jack.

Jack Nicholson: We're going to stay for a long time. I know you think this is going to be easy, but it's not. E Entertainment set the tone for me, what the man said I thought, well, my kids have liked nothing I've ever done. And they'll like this show tonight, they're going to be crazy about the way we are kind because of tone that it can set. But About Schmidt was a great job for me. I want to have to even, I know, it's still longer.

Have you ever left your home with like, does a shadow of dread ever pass over any of you? Because you know, on nights like tonight...

Robin Williams: Jack's getting into therapeutic issues now.

Jack Nicholson: And Alexander Payne and Kathy Bates.

Robin Williams: For those of you at home, Jack is getting ready to bring out a five iron.

Salma Hayek: Since they didn't give you an award, you can have... both of their names and the tie.
Robin Williams: Thank you, I want to thank Jack Nicholson and Daniel Day Lewis for giving me this piece of paper. It has their names on it, not mine. And I'm glad to be left out of this incredible group. I want to thank Jack for he is to me the greatest actor and Daniel Day Lewis, the greatest actor, and I'm just a hairy actor. And it's been a wonderful evening for me to walk away with nothing, coming here with no expectations, leaving here with no expectations. It's pretty much been a Buddhist evening for me. Thank you.
Daniel Day Lewi...: It goes without saying, my love and all my thanks to you, Marsh and Scorsese.

Gal Gadot: ' I want to share this award with all the women and men who stand for what's right', #SeeHer Critics Choice Award - 2018

12 January 2018, Los Angeles, California, USA

Throughout my career, I was always asked to describe my dream role. And it was clear to me that I wanted to portray a strong and independent woman—a real one. The irony in this is that later, I was cast as Wonder Woman, and all of these qualities I looked for, I found in her. She's full of heart, strength, compassion, and forgiveness. She sees wrong that must be made right; she takes action when everyone around her is idle. She commands the attention of the world. And in doing so, she sets a positive example for humanity.

Wonder Woman also struggles with her own love and hopes, she gets confused, insecure, and she's not perfect. And that's what makes her real. We wanted her to be universal, to be an inspiration to all people all around the world, and our plan was to make sure we didn't give too much attention to the fact that she's a woman.

The whole process of creating this film inspired me, and I hope we managed to inspire others. Now, when I started acting, there were very few female-led movies, and even fewer female directors. This year, three of the top-grossing films were female-led, and one of them was directed by my wonderful Patty Jenkins. There were eight other films in [the] top 100 which were directed by females. So although this is progress, there is still a long way to go.

Patty just shared an anecdote with me. And she said someone told her that his three-year-old saw the movie, and when the movie ended, the boy said, "When I grow up, I want to be a woman!" So as artists, and as filmmakers, I believe it's not only our job to entertain, but our duty to inspire and educate for love and respect.

In the past weeks and months, we've been witnessing a movement in our industry and society, and I want to share this award with all the women and men who stand for what's right: Standing for those who can't stand or speak for themselves. My promise and commitment to all of you is that I will never be silenced, and we will continue: band together to make strides, uniting for equality.

Jacob Tremblay: 'I know where to put this. Right there on the shelf beside my Millennium Falcon' Best Young Performer, Critics Choice Award - 2016

17 June 2016, Los Angeles, California, USA

This is super cool. This is the best day of my life.

I first want to say thank you to all the critics that voted for me. It must be a super hard job with all the other great actors in this category.

I also want to thank Team Room who is Lenny, Emma, Bree, Ed and all the other producers over there.

And all the other cast and crew.

I think that us working together made this movie come true.

And this award doesn't just go to me for that, it goes to all of you guys as well.

I also want to thank my parents and I love them very much.

And I know where to put this. Right on the shelf right beside my Millennium Falcon.