Adrien Brody was moved to tears during his emotional acceptance speech at the New York Film Critics Circle Awards in New York City on Wednesday.
The 51-year-old Oscar winner – who walked the red carpet with his girlfriend Georgina Chapman – turned his attention to the ‘courage’ of firefighters battling the out-of-control wildfires around Los Angeles after winning Best Actor for his critically acclaimed performance in the historical epic The Brutalist, which helped cement his status as an Academy Award frontrunner.
“I would be remiss if I did not mention the weight of what is in our minds and hearts tonight,” Brody said after receiving his award, via People.
“It’s been a hard day for me,” he continued as his voice began to break, and he stopped speaking as tears began to well up before quickly apologizing.
“It’s hard to accept something like this when there is so much suffering in the world,” he continued. “And you know, my heart goes out to all the families and the animals and our colleagues.”
Brody, who thanked the group of critics in his speech, noted that he accepted his award even though many buildings and homes on the “beach side” of the iconic Pacific Coast Highway had “disappeared.”
Adrien Brody, 51, was moved to tears during his emotional acceptance speech on Wednesday at the New York Film Critics Circle Awards in New York City. He talked about the devastation of the LA wildfires
Fires have devastated communities in Pacific Palisades, Pasadena and the Hollywood Hills; A house is seen on fire in Altadena, near Pasadena, on Wednesday
“This is our community,” he continued, before honoring the first responders who risked their lives amid the wildfires.
“I just want to thank and commend the courage of the first responders and their sacrifices, and their meaningful work that deserves our recognition tonight,” Brody said to thunderous applause from the entire audience.
He concluded his acceptance speech by reiterating that his “thoughts” were with those “affected by this horrific event.”
“They are in my prayers and I know we are all praying for their safety,” he concluded.
Brody also shared special praise for his brutalist co-star Guy Pearce.
“I loved acting with you every day, and I assume many of you have seen the film, but for those of you who haven’t, Guy has delivered such a complex and nuanced portrayal of Van Buren Brody said via Variety. “I don’t feel like I would be standing here tonight if he didn’t put in such a brilliant performance.”
The Brutalist was also honored with the NYFCC’s Best Picture award, which director Brady Corbet accepted.
The Vox Lux filmmaker and actor noted that he understood some of the emotions people in Los Angeles were feeling, as his New York home had burned down several years ago.
“It’s been a hard day for me,” he continued as his voice began to break, and he stopped talking as tears began to well up before quickly apologizing; arrived in the photo with Georgina Chapman
“It’s hard to accept something like this when there is so much suffering in the world,” he continued. “And you know, my heart goes out to all the families and the animals and our colleagues.”
“I just want to thank and commend the courage of the first responders and their sacrifices, and their meaningful work that deserves our recognition tonight,” Brody said to thunderous applause from the entire audience; pictured with The Brutalist director Brady Corbet
Brody also shared special praise for his brutalist co-star Guy Pearce (L). “I loved acting with you every day… Guy delivered such a complex and nuanced portrayal…” Brody gushed; Pictured Thursday with (L-R) Pearce, Corbet and co-screenwriter Mona Fastvold
The Brutalist is one of the most awarded films of the season and is expected to earn several high-profile nominations for the Academy Awards when they are announced later this month.
It’s not clear if Brody owns any property in the affected areas, but he bought the Stone Barn Castle in downtown New York in 2007 and spent seven years renovating it, which was captured in a documentary named after the castle is.
Many celebrities have been devastated by the wildfires ravaging Los Angeles.
John Goodman and Anthony Hopkins were left with nothing but rubble after their homes burned down, and Billy Crystal and Eugene Levy also lost their homes.
Adam Brody and Leighton Meester were also unlucky, and Anna Faris’ mansion was burned down.
Actor James Woods shared a video of the approaching flames shortly before he evacuated, prior to the destruction of his home.
The Hills stars Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag saw their home destroyed by the bushfire, and Spencer looked somber at the encroaching flames before his family was forced to flee.