At the 37th annual American Cinematheque Awards on Thursday night, Helen Mirren received recognition for her work in film and television. A star-studded lineup of presenters attended the event to honour the actress.
The stars of the annual fundraiser for the American Cinematheque, which supports its programming at the Aero Theatre in Santa Monica, the Los Feliz 3 Theatre in Los Feliz, and the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood, were among those who celebrated the star: Harrison Ford, Vin Diesel, Patrick Stewart, Bryan Cranston, Pierce Brosnan, Alan Cumming, Andrea Riseborough, and Taylor Hackford, the husband of actress Helen Mirren.
The honour discussed the many achievements of Mirren’s career, including her roles in Golda and as Barbie’s narrator, her versatility on screen, and her influence on her co-stars.
What Happened At The American Cinematheque Awards
During his first public appearance since being sued by his former assistant in December for alleged sexual battery, Diesel discussed the friendship that grew between him and the fans. “So many of us actors work our whole lives to be famous and then once you’re famous, you often wonder does anybody know you, does anybody know who you truly are?”
Diesel said to the audience. The greatest gift of all is knowing that there is someone on this earth who genuinely knows who I am, and that is the magic and gift that Helen brings into my life.
Diesel went on, “Helen, you know this more than anyone in the room, I love you with all my heart.” And to respond to the query you raised in your 1984 motion picture Cal, ‘Would you die for me?’ For you, I would sacrifice my life.
Together on White Nights, Hackford remarked that it was “one of the great joys of my career” and that “40 years later, I’m the luckiest man in the room because that’s my wife.” He also talked about their long relationship.
After they co-starred in The Mosquito Coast and 1923, Ford was the last to take the stage and joked, “I think I am your oldest husband still in service— I’m not available tonight but any other time.”
I play Helen’s husband as a career; it’s an incredible opportunity and a tremendous joy. I adore you because you are the sweetest, wisest, funniest, and wackiest broad I have ever met. Mirren joked that everyone should have the opportunity to receive honour in this manner, saying, “It’s fucking amazing,” as she accepted her prize.
After reading a little speech, she said it was written by AI, tore it apart, and started over using her own words. “All right, career validation. It’s like writing a eulogy at your memorial—those two phrases are so incredibly scary and intimidating. My career—oh my—is that it? That’s my line of work?
Is that the end of my career’s story? The sand has run through, and the clock has ticked,” she pondered. “I can still so clearly recall, for instance, the unforgettable Oscar night when I realized there was only going to be one option left, and it couldn’t be up.
Acknowledgement: The entire excitement of working is anticipating what will happen next—mistakes, accidents, victories, unintentional victories, goals pursued but never attained, and overcoming fears—tonight, I had to face some major fears.