Celebrated television producer Ryan Murphy made headlines at the 2023 Golden Globes. While accepting the Carol Burnett Award for his contributions to tv and film, Murphy took the time to honor many of the LGBTQ+ actors he’s worked with over the course of his career.
Murphy has been nominated for five Golden Globes as a producer, all in the Best Miniseries or Television Film category. In 2017, he won for The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story.
Murphy started his acceptance speech by shouting out Michaela Jaé Rodriguez, who became the first trans actress to have won a Golden Globe in 2021, the year the show wasn’t televised following the HFPA scandal and awards show boycott.
Murphy asked Rodriguez to stand up and then urged the audience to give her her “standing ovation she deserved for making history” for the award.
Billy Porter, who presented the award was praised by Murphy was called “one of the most iconic actors of his generation.” Murphy added that he’s “changed our perceptions by changing fashion.”
Niecy Nash-Betts was also among the actors to be celebrated.
“Born in LA, a mother of 3, she was told only a couple of years ago when she wanted to marry the love of her life Jessica, that she couldn’t, shouldn’t do that. She might never work again. Her community and her industry might abandon her,” he said.
“Niecy Nash chose love not fear, and tonight she’s Golden Globe nominee Niecy Nash-Betts and she’s had the biggest year of her entire career with Dahmer and Rookie: Feds. Niecy I love you.”
When complimenting Matt Bomer, who won a Golden Globe for Murphy’s movie The Normal Heart, Murphy said, “He’s now defied the ridiculous rules that have been in place for almost a century. He's played the action star and the romantic lead, and been in acclaimed dramatic projects along the way,” he said.
Lastly, Murphy turned to Jeremy Pope, who was nominated tonight for his role in The Inspection and starred in Murphy's show Hollywood. “Jeremy Pope is the future,” Murphy said.
Murphy is the fourth recipient of the Carol Burnett Award. Other winners include Burnett herself, Norman Lear and Ellen DeGeneres.
Ryan Murphy accepts the Carol Burnett Television Achievement Award. #GoldenGlobes pic.twitter.com/xR2IhCR2Lk
— NBC Entertainment (@nbc) January 11, 2023
Later in his speech, Murphy sent a message to children and younger audiences at home watching an LGBTQ+ identifying individual winning at the Golden Globes.
“I’ve dedicated most of my lifetime achievement speech here tonight to these wonderful actors I’ve worked with to make a point of hope and progress,” he said.
“When I was a young person at home in the ’70s watching The Carol Burnett Show, I never ever saw a person like me getting an award or even being a character on a TV show. It’s hard being an LGBTQ kid in America. In fact, all over the world, then and now. And I have one word for you: Florida.”
He continued, “You are often told you will never become anything. You have to hide your life to survive. But for those kids watching tonight, I offer up MJ and Billy and Niecy and Matt and Jeremy as examples of possibility. There is a way forward, use them as your North stars.
Watch Ryan Murphy’s entire heartfelt speech, here.
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