Adrien Brody became emotional while expressing gratitude for first responders of the deadly Los Angeles fires.
“I would be remiss to not mention the weight of what’s on all of our mind and in our hearts tonight,” said Brody, 51, while accepting the best actor award at the New York Film Critics Circle 2025 Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, Jan. 8.
“It’s been a heavy day for me,” he continued as his voice quivered. He cried as he apologized for taking a brief pause.
The actor confessed, “It’s hard to accept something like this when there’s so much suffering in the world. And um, you know, my heart goes out to all of the families and the animals and our colleagues.”
He acknowledged that many of the homes located near the “beach side” of the Pacific Coast Highway “are gone.”
“This is our community,” added Brody. “I just want to thank and commend the bravery of the first responders and sacrifices and their meaningful work that deserves our recognition tonight.”
His sentiment was met with applause and cheers from the audience.
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“I just want to share that my thoughts are with everyone affected by this horrific event,” The Pianist actor concluded. “They’re in my prayers and I know that we’re all praying for their safety.”
Brody, who won the award after his performance as László Tóth in The Brutalist, also thanked the New York Film Critics Circle for the honor.
Hundreds of firefighters have been deployed across Los Angeles fighting multiple blazes, including the Palisades Fire that broke out Tuesday morning, Jan. 7, and the Eaton Fire that broke out Tuesday evening.
As of 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 8, the Palisades Fire has burned 15,832 acres with 0% containment.
The Eaton Fire has burned 10,590 acres with 0% containment, per the L.A. County Fire Department.
There are additional fires burning in the Hollywood Hills, Acton and Sylmar. Strong winds have made responders’ jobs more difficult as fires continue to spread throughout the region into a third day.
Click here to learn more about how to help the victims of the L.A. fires.
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