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« SAG Awards: Live Recap, Backstage and News Blog
Day-Lewis Dedicates SAG Win to Heath Ledger, a "Unique, Perfect" Actor
Daniel Day-Lewis by Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Heath Ledger, whose life was tragically cut short this past week under yet-to-be-determined circumstances, not only was remembered in a montage of late actors at Sunday night's Screen Actors Guild Awards, but he was also acknowledged by the estimable Daniel Day-Lewis. Accepting the award for best actor in a film (There Will Be Blood) and reflecting on his ongoing discovery as a performer, Day-Lewis said, "There are many actors in this room tonight… who have given me that sense of regeneration, and Heath Ledger gave it to me. In Monster's Ball, that character he created seemed to be almost like an unformed being retreating from himself, his father, his life… and yet we wanted to follow him. It was unique." Likewise, Day-Lewis called Ledger's work in Brokeback Mountain "unique" and "perfect," and at the culmination of his applauded, emotional speech, he said, "I'd like to dedicate this to Heath Ledger." It was a moving and special moment within an efficient if not slightly cold kudoscast. — Matt Mitovich
For more on Day-Lewis and Ledger, read Anna's backstage report.
TVGuide.com's Screen Actors Guild Awards coverage:
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Jan 27, 2008 10:27 PM
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I thought Daniel Day-Lewis's speech was quite commendable. I respect him for saying what he did about Heath Ledger and his acting abilities. Heath HAS been on everyone's mind this week, and I thought more people would have acknowledged him besides a quick picture. It's like "the elephant in the room."
By the way, why were the photos shown like they were? They were not in order of death (except that Heath was last for obvious reasons, that being his picture was just added at the last moment. Brad Renfro was one of the first few shown, and he died very shortly before Heath. Nor were the pictures in the memorium in alphabetical order! I didn't get it.
Anyway, kudos to Daniel Day-Lewis. It was a lovely gesture and spoke volumes about his integrity and heart.
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Jan 27, 2008 11:33 PM
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I thought it was very touching of Daniel Day-Lewis to make that speech and dedicate his award to Heath. I cried when he did. I never realized how much Heath touched my life even though I never knew him. I agree with a statement that DDL made about Heath, saying that "even though I never met him, I know I would have liked him!" I believe that. I feel that Heath was one of the best. I have cried tears almost every day that Heath has been gone. This isn't fair. He should still be with us! It still doesn't seem real, like it is all just a bad dream. I am glad that Heath got to enjoy his craft and show us all just how good he was. He will me missed.
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Jan 28, 2008 8:19 AM
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It was really wonderful what he said about Heath. He did it in such a moving and sincere and real way. Especially considering he'd never met him, I think he spoke for all of us. I still can't believe he's gone.
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Jan 28, 2008 9:36 AM
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That was a very classy speech, because there was nothing "canned" about it -- DDL's praise of Heath Ledger was obviously heartfelt, and instead of being mawkishly sentimental, he praised his work as one artist to another. Very beautiful.
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Jan 28, 2008 10:35 AM
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Very nice speech. I also appreciated Ryan Gosling and his sister wearing a black ribbon in honor of Heath Ledger. Ryan's sister made them; I thought it was a very thoughtful gesture.
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Jan 28, 2008 10:39 AM
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I'd have to say it was a cold kudoscast, and agree with another poster that Ledger's death was "the elephant in the room." Daniel Day-Lewis's speech was the diamond of the broadcast.
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Jan 28, 2008 12:23 PM
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His speech was one of the most truly moving speeches I've ever heard at an award show. I really felt what he was saying, and the way he said it was just beautiful and so well put. Daniel Day-Lewis really knows how to be classy and give a truly meaningful speech. What he said about Heath Ledger, down to the littlest detail, was so very right and true. I felt that just showing Heath's picture in a montage wasn't enough, so I was very impressed by Day-Lewis' tribute.
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Jan 28, 2008 1:29 PM
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The tribute to Heath Ledger was wonderful especially coming from someone as special as Daniel Day- Lewis. (I still fantasize about him in The Last Of The Mohicans.)
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Jan 28, 2008 3:56 PM
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I turned on the television just in time to see Lewis' speech, and his tribute was beautiful. I hadn't actually cried for Heath, but after that the tears started flowing.
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Jan 28, 2008 4:18 PM
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Kudos to Daniel Day-Lewis. His speech was well done and honored a fellow actor. His words on stage and backstage reflected what many who did not know Heath Ledger, but were shocked, shakened and saddened by the exceptional actor's untimely death, felt this past week about his death.
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Jan 28, 2008 9:56 PM
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That's so generous of Daniel Day-Lewis to do what he did. If I was an actor and I won an award, I would've done the same. I will still ALWAYS watch Heath Ledger's movies. He has been my inspiration.
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Jan 28, 2008 10:14 PM
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I'm so glad that he honored Mr. Ledger-what a moment that must've been-so sorry I missed it-the SAG Awards.
Renate Uhl Colorado USA
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Jan 29, 2008 10:12 PM
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What exactly does "cold kudocast" mean? Kudocast is not even a word. Is it an insult within a compliment?
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Jan 30, 2008 11:42 PM
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I was so moved by Mr. Lewis' speech, I called my sister-in-law and found I couldn't speak for the tears. I was struck by the contrast of the characters I've seen Mr. Lewis portray with his incredible talent and his almost shy, totally respectful composure in his deeply touching tribute to Mr. Ledger. It was also lovely to watch him sincerely searching for the words...they truly came from his heart. You could have heard a pin drop in that room. A thousand thanks.
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Feb 2, 2008 10:49 PM
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