Russell Crowe was unable to accept his Golden Globe award as he’s in Australia “protecting his family from the bushfires”.
The actor won Best Actor in a Limited series for the role of disgraced Fox CEO Roger Ailes in The Loudest Voice, but presenters Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon quickly notified the crowd that he wasn’t present.
Crowe sent along a message for them to read out in case he won the award.
“Russell Crowe could not be here with us tonight because he is at home in Australia protecting his family from the devastating bushfires,” Aniston said, before reading the poignant note.
“Make no mistake, the tragedy unfolding in Australia is climate change-based.
“We need to act based on science, move our global work force to renewable energy and respect our planet for the unique and amazing place it is. That way, we have a future. Thank you.”
Authorities in Australia have warned that “the worst is yet to come” after a day of blazes that killed two people and injured four firefighters.
More than 200 people are feared dead.
The ceremony’s top prizes went to First World War drama 1917 and Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, which won Best Film in their respective Drama and Comedy categories.
Elsewhere, Phoebe Waller-Bridge took home two prizes for her work on Fleabag and, while accepting the trophy for Best TV Series – Comedy or Musical, cracked a raunchy joke about Barack Obama.
Ricky Gervais hosted the ceremony and immediately shocked with a joke about Leonardo DiCaprio’s 22-year-old girlfriend, Camila Morrone, and Prince Andrew.
Find a roundup of his best jokes here and a full list of the evening’s winners here.
