'She believed in me like no one else would': Gillian Anderson dedicates her Emmy win for Outstanding Supporting Actress for The Crown to her 'best friend' and manager Connie Freiberg
Gillian Anderson dedicated her Emmy Award win to her 'best friend' and manager during Sunday's star-studded awards.
The actress, 53, took home the award for Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her role as Margaret Thatcher in The Crown and used her speech to pay tribute to Connie Freiberg for always being by her side and offering her support.
The star also gave thanks to her former partner Peter Morgan, who serves as creator and showrunner for the Netflix drama.
Proud: Gillian Anderson dedicated her Emmy Award win to her 'best friend' and manager during Sunday's star-studded awards.
She said: 'I want to say thank you to Peter Morgan for creating this role and to Netflix for everything.
'I really want to dedicate this award to a woman who was my manager for 20 years, Connie Freiberg.
'She believed in me like no one else would, believed I had talent when I didn't think I had talent, always invited me to take the high road, she was one of the best friends I ever had in my life.
'She wore the same dress five years running to every awards show, three times a year, slow fashion before everyone knew it was cool. I love you, this is for you. Thank you.'
Success: The actress, 53, took home the award for Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her role as Margaret Thatcher in The Crown and used her speech to pay tribute to Connie Freiberg for always being by her side and offering her support
Gillian beat off competition from her co-stars Emerald Fennell and Helena Bonham Carter, The Handmaid's Tale actresses Madeline Brewer, Ann Dowd, Samira Wiley and Yvonne Strahovski, and Lovecraft Country's Aunjanue Ellis to win the award.
Her co-star Tobias Menzies then scooped the Supporting Actor in a Drama Series honour, but wasn't at the ceremony to accept the prize, so Kerry Washington - who was handing out the gong - pledged to take it on his behalf.
When she introduced the nominees - which also included Giancarlo Esposito for The Mandelorian, John Lithgow for Perry Mason, The Handmaid's Tale stars O-T Fagbenie, Max Minghella and Bradley Whitford, and This Is Us actor Chris Sullivan - she took time to pay tribute to the final shortlisted actor, Lovecraft Country star Michael K. Williams, who passed away earlier this month.
Speech: The star also gave thanks to her former partner Peter Morgan, who serves as creator and showrunner for the Netflix drama
Gillian said: 'I really want to dedicate this award to a woman who was my manager for 20 years, Connie Freiberg'
Gillian said: 'She wore the same dress five years running to every awards show, three times a year, slow fashion before everyone knew it was cool. I love you, this is for you. Thank you.'
Kerry said: 'The nominees for this next award astounded us with each of their uniquely memorable, remarkable performances this year.
'But I would like to take a moment to mention one in particular Michael K Williams Michael was - it's crazy to say was - Michael was a brilliantly talented actor and a generous human being who has left us far too soon.
'Michael, I know you are here, you wouldn't miss this, your excellence and artistry will endure. We love you.'
The 73rd annual awards show that celebrates the best of television had a 'limited' number of guests (about 500) and nominees on the red carpet as well as event staff.
Competition: Gillian beat off competition from her co-stars Emerald Fennell and Helena Bonham Carter, The Handmaid's Tale actresses Madeline Brewer, Ann Down, Samira Wiley and Yvonne Strahovski, and Lovecraft Country's Aunjanue Ellis to win the award
Show: The Crown and The Mandalorian led the 2021 Emmys nominations, with 24 each (Gillian pictured in The Crown)
Attendees had to show proof of vaccination and a negative test result.
The Academy said in a statement: 'Out of an abundance of caution and for the safety of Emmy nominees, guests and media, the number of production personnel and staff must be limited at this year's 73rd Emmy Awards.'
The Crown and The Mandalorian led the 2021 Emmys nominations, with 24 each.
The Netflix series, based on the British royal family, and Disney Plus' Star Wars spin-off racked up the impressive number of nods to bring Netflix's total to 129 with Disney Plus clocking up 71 nominations.
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