14 DAY TRIAL // The 2011 Golden Globe Awards were held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in LA – and it was a night where comedy reigned supreme. Taking to the stage to accept his Cecil B. DeMille Lifetime Achievement Award, Robert de Niro proved that he was no exception.
Not only did de Niro show that he was just as good a comedian as he was a drama actor, but he also managed to include almost everyone in his acceptance speech.
Some media outlets considered that his speech turned awkward towards the end, when he joked about working visas and having members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association deported at the end of the show.
Others, though, believed he killed it with his acceptance speech, proving that, after four decades in the industry and doing iconic movies, de Niro could easily add standup comedian to his resume.
“I was very, very moved and gratified when you made the announcement [of the DeMille Award] two months ago, before you had a chance to review ‘Little Fockers’,” de Niro began his 4-minute speech by saying, as the video below will also confirm.
He then went on to say, in more or less veiled terms that he, just like any other person out there, also has to do certain things that he doesn’t like for a paycheck, including starring in the critically panned comedy.
“It’s OK; we all have our jobs to do. And the important thing is we’re all in this together – the filmmakers who make the movies, and the members of the Hollywood Foreign Press who in turn pose for pictures with the movie stars,” he joked.
“More Hollywood Foreign Press members would have been here, but they were deported just before the show. Along with most of the waiters. [Groan from the audience] And Javier Bardem. And I hope you all have your papers in order, because Homeland Security will be checking them right after they finish full-body scans of Megan Fox,” de Niro continued.
On a more serious note, he told the audience that he was thrilled he was enjoying this wonderful chance of doing something that he loved that would, in the eyes of future generations, possibly be considered as art.
“At a certain point you just have to let both of them [children and movies] go and hope for the best. It’s up to the audiences to decide if it’s entertainment, the critics to decide if it’s good, and ultimately posterity to decide if it’s art,” the legendary actor said.
Below is Robert de Niro’s acceptance speech as he’s handed the Cecil B. DeMille Lifetime Achievement Award at the Golden Globes 2011. Enjoy.