Winners Acceptance Speech by Leonardo DiCaprio (The Revenant) for Leading Actor
LEONARDO DICAPRIO: Thank you, BAFTA. I am absolutely humbled and I'm absolutely honoured by this - by this award tonight. I have to say, as an actor, I have been so influenced by so many British actors throughout the years. I remember watching the Tom Courtenay in Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner when I was 15 years old with my father, all the way through to Gary Oldman and State of Grace, which influenced an entire generation of actors, and, of course, the late great Peter O'Toole and everything that Daniel Day-Lewis has ever done.
I want to thank my particular British actor and that was my partner in this process, Mr Tom Hardy. Tom - yes. I want to thank you for your fierce loyalty, not only as a collaborator, but as a friend. I could not have done this journey without you.
I want to thank the entire crew: Cheevo; Mark L Smith, our writer; Shaun and Duncan, my make-up artists who spent hours a day turning me into a living zombie. The entire crew that we got to work with all the entire cast that stood shoulder to shoulder through this entire process.
Rick Yorn, you had the vision of this film. Thank you very much for pushing me every single day. I want to thank my entire team back home. Of course, all the producers at Fox and New Regency, in particular Arnon Milchan. You stood by this film to the bitter end. I cannot thank you enough and, of course, Alejandro Inarritu. This film would not have been possible without your vision, your intellect, your fierce commitment to authenticity every step of the way. Thank you for becoming a great friend more than anything throughout this entire process.
Lastly, there's one person I have to thank. I would not be standing up here if weren't for this person. I didn't grow up in a life of privilege. I grew up in a very rough neighbourhood in East Los Angeles and this woman drove me three hours a day to a different school to show me a different opportunity. It's her birthday tonight. Mom, happy birthday, I love you very much.
