“Succession” star Brian Cox received a standing ovation at the Screen Actors Guild Awards as he spoke about censorship in Russia following the country’s invasion of Ukraine.
The Scottish-born actor, 75, described the situation in Ukraine as “truly, truly awful” during a stirring speech Sunday after “Succession” won best ensemble cast in a drama series.
“The thing that’s really distressed me is what’s happening in Russia, to my fellow actors and actresses and performers, and writers and critics, they are told under pain of high treason that they cannot say a word about Ukraine,” Cox said. “And I think that is pretty awful. And I think we should all stand together.”
Cox, who wore a mask reading “F— Off” on stage, also said the Ukraine situation is “as particularly awful in terms of what is affecting the other people, particularly in our profession.”
“The president of Ukraine was a comic,” Cox said. “He was a wonderful comic performer, and we should respect that for him, and to come to the presidency is amazing.”
It was one of several moments during the ceremony that someone spoke about Russia invading Ukraine last week.
“While tonight is a celebration, we are all at the same time holding a place in our hearts for the people of Ukraine, and sending our thoughts, prayers and hopes for impending peace,” Leslie Odom Jr. said after doing an opening segment alongside fellow “Hamilton” stars Lin-Manuel Miranda and Daveed Diggs.
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