Mingle Media TV and Red Carpet Report reporter, Amy Cassandra Martinez, were at the 13th Annual Oscar Wilde Awards at J.J. Abrams’ Bad Robot offices supporting the US-Ireland Alliance – a non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening the relationship between the US and Ireland.
HONOREES
J.J. Abrams emceed the 13th Annual Oscar Wilde Awards honoring the US-Ireland Alliance at Bad Robot in Santa Monica with the evening’s honorees: Barry Keoghan, Mark Hamill, Paula Malcomson, and Catherine O’Hara.
Previous Oscar Wilde Award recipient, Colin Farrell, presented Barry Keoghan with the Wilde Card Award, presented to a promising up-and-coming actor. Keoghan recently starred with Farrell in THE KILLING OF A SACRED DEER. Farrell mentioned the many films Keoghan has made in such a short period of time, including Dunkirk, in which, “he played such a pivotal role that, for me, was the heart and soul of the film.”
In presenting Paula Malcomson with her award, Abrams spoke of her incredible career and said, “Paula was brilliant as Abby through 5 years of RAY DONOVAN, and we were sad to see her character die this season. If you haven’t yet watched Ray Donovan, don’t get too attached to the character named ABBY.” Malcomson added “the country is utterly changed. There’s hope now, there is possibility, there is Game of Thrones. People are able to work together on films, on TV shows, without the clanging of those sectarian bells of the past. When I left Belfast, it was a very different place, bleaker, darker in 1990. I had hightailed it to New York City, I had 27 pounds in my pocket, that I had borrowed from my granny, at a favorable interest rate. This country took in an 18-year old girl, it wrapped its arms around her, and handed her a better life. I’ve been able to do things that I never thought were possible. I’ve been able to live the American dream. So I only hope that the American dream is available for those who reach out and grab it the way I did. And I’m not so sure right now.”
In introducing Mark Hamill, Abrams joked that he will always be best known for his role as Kent Murray in General Hospital and said, “It was between shots, and there we were atop this glorious island in one of the most beautiful countries in the world, with Mark, in costume. On a serious note, Abrams said it was, “a joy to work with, it was a dream … directing an idol.”
Hamill mentioned being at the event a few years ago, when his dear friend, Carrie Fisher was honored. He also spoke of his Irish father and how he learned much about Ireland from a rich legacy of films about Ireland. He talked about filming STAR WARS in Ireland and how THE FORCE AWAKENS will alone mean billions for the Irish economy, “not to mention encouraging countless STAR WARS nerds to make it a go-to destination.”
Martin Short, joked, “I actually won this last year, so suck on that Daniel Day-Lewis.” In introducing/roasting his friend, Catherine O’Hara, Short said, “I am proud to call Catherine O’Hara my friend and it’s not because she’s successful or rich, it’s because she’s both. In fact, of all the people in show business I truly admire, Catherine is very close to being one of them. Catherine, you deserve this award my love, and not just because you campaigned the hardest to get it. Catherine O’Hara has been one of the greatest comedic influences in my life. You are a breathtakingly brilliant, staggering original who has, and continues to, inspire.”
O’Hara joked that the Irish, “mock us for wandering through your graveyards, searching for someone, anyone, with our last names.” She spoke eloquently of the importance of her Irish heritage, and the country, saying, “who doesn’t want to be associated with people known for their deep and undying love of the land, the letter, romance, family, laughter — at themselves, almost as much as at others — music and any lovely thing that brings a tear to the eye. A land of passionately empathetic poets, composers, politicians, filmmakers, revolutionaries and first responders. All the great qualities we strive for in America, we take for granted in the Irish.”
Get the Story from the Red Carpet Report Team, follow us on Twitter and Facebook at:
http://twitter.com/TheRedCarpetTV
https://www.facebook.com/RedCarpetReportTV
http://www.youtube.com/MingleMediaTVNetwork
PHOTOS from the Green Carpet with Honorees and Guests
About Oscar Wilde Awards & the US-Ireland Alliance
The US-Ireland Alliance is a proactive, non-partisan, non-profit organization dedicated to consolidating existing relations between the United States and the island of Ireland and building that relationship for the future. The organization connects current and emerging Irish and American leaders in various spheres—including education, politics, business and the arts—for the mutual benefit of both countries.
Photos from the Ceremony and Party!
The Alliance helps bring together the creative energy of American and Irish artists. We sponsor and promote a variety of events focusing on Irish arts and culture, and recognize achievements in Irish film, theater, and other creative pursuits. Annually, we host the Oscar Wilde Awards in Los Angeles as well as other cultural events throughout the year. We also feature interviews with prominent Irish artists on our podcast series. For more info visit www.us-irelandalliance.org
