Ellen DeGeneres thanks ‘husband Mark’ and honours ‘power of television’ in emotionally-charged Golden Globes speech
Ellen DeGeneres (Daniele Venturelli/WireImage)
Ellen DeGeneres was this year’s winner of the Carol Burnett Award at the Golden Globes in recognition of her outstanding contribution to television.
In her acceptance speech, DeGeneres said she felt “humbled and honoured” to receive the award in its second year.
She then rushed through the early stages of her life – from her birth up to the beginning of The Ellen DeGeneres Show in 2003 – and briefly touched on the cancellation of her 1990s sitcom Ellen after she came out as gay.
“I feel like you’ve all really gotten to know me over the past 17 years,” DeGeneres said.
Ellen DeGeneres jokingly thanked her ‘husband’ Mark in Golden Globes speech.
“I am an open book and I couldn’t have done it without my husband Mark,” she joked. “Mark, you are my rock. Thank you for supporting me through this crazy journey. I know it wasn’t easy for you or the kids. Rupert and Fiona, go to bed, I love you. That’s funny because they’re in college now.”
“The point is, you all know me and obviously you know me or else you wouldn’t have laughed at all that.”
All I’ve ever wanted to do was make people feel good and laugh, and there’s no greater feeling than when someone tells me I’ve made their day better with my show or that I’ve helped them get through a sickness or a hard time in their lives.
The star then paid tribute to Carol Burnett, who the award was named after, calling her “larger than life”.
“Television… It inspired and influenced everything that I am today. Lucille Ball, Mary Tyler Moore, Marlo Thomas, Dick Van Dyke, Bob Newhart, Mannix. There’s a little bit of all of them in me. That doesn’t sound right, but you know what I’m saying.
The lesbian talk-show host said she wants to make people ‘feel good and laugh’ through her show.
“All I’ve ever wanted to do was make people feel good and laugh, and there’s no greater feeling than when someone tells me I’ve made their day better with my show or that I’ve helped them get through a sickness or a hard time in their lives.
“But the real power of television for me is not that people watch my show, but that people watch my show and then they’re inspired to go out and do the same thing in their own lives. They make people laugh or be kind or help someone that’s less fortunate than themselves. That is the power of television and I am so, so grateful to be a part of it,” she finished.
DeGeneres’ award came on what was a successful night for LGBT+ representation at the Golden Globes. Elton John biopic Rocketman – which is notable for its unabashed depiction of Elton’s sexuality – won two awards, including an acting gong for Taron Egerton and a songwriting note for the rock star himself.
Elsewhere, Billy Porter once again slayed with his incredible outfit and Kate McKinnon’s emotional ode to DeGeneres warmed queer hearts everywhere.
