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Robert Downey Jr. set the stage alight during the 2024 Golden Globes Awards on January 7, 2024, with his acceptance speech for Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture.
When Downey received the award at Golden Globes 2024 for his role as Lewis Strauss in Oppenheimer, he joked,
"Yeah, yeah, I took a beta-blocker, so this will be a breeze."
A lot of people were amused by this clever comment, which mixed humour with an honest admission of having performance anxiety. People were captivated by Downey's charismatic delivery, which made the moment unforgettable.
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The Golden Globes 2024 took place in Beverly Hills, California. The biggest names in Hollywood were there to honor the best of 2024.
The best part of the night was Downey's win, which added another trophy to the evergreen Iron Man's impressive collection. Downey Jr.'s unmatched acting skills as Lewis Strauss in Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer earned him critical acclaim.
The remarkable speech of Robert Downey Jr. in Golden Globes Awards
The acceptance speech by Robert Downey Jr. stood out for being authentic, honest and humorous as well. As soon as he got on stage, his comment about beta-blockers set a casual tone that made people laugh and applaud.
Then Downey joked that the award was for "most improved," playing down the high praise he got for his complex performance in Oppenheimer. Besides that, he thanked his wife Susan Downey for inspiring him to leave his comfort zone while still keeping his trademark wit.
He mentioned,
“Speaking of motivators, my primary caregiver right there, Susan Downey. She has literally made an art out of extracting me from my comfort zones… that I need to feel safe! But she's easy on the eyes, so whatevs.”
This moment showed Downey's unique skill of mixing personal stories with professional praise. People were moved when he admitted that he used beta blockers, which brought up the point that even experienced actors deal with stress during high-stakes events.
About Beta Blockers
Beta-blockers are often prescribed for heart problems, but they are also used illegally to treat performance anxiety. They help by blocking the effects of adrenaline, which can ease symptoms like a racing heart or shortness of breath.
Studies show that beta blockers are generally safe when used correctly, and they can help with event-related stress for a short time. These stress how useful they are for situational anxiety, like before a big speech or event with a lot at stake. People with conditions like asthma should stay away from them, though, because they might be dangerous.
Downey's role in Oppenheimer
In Oppenheimer (2023), Robert Downey Jr. played the role of Lewis Strauss, the Chairman of the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission. Strauss was a key antagonist in the film's 1950s timeline, opposing J. Robert Oppenheimer. His character was central to the conflict surrounding Oppenheimer’s security clearance.
Strauss coordinated initiatives to revoke Oppenheimer's Q clearance by alleging his associations with the Communist Party. This decision was motivated by a personal animosity towards Oppenheimer, arising from a misinterpretation. Strauss contended that Oppenheimer disparaged him to Albert Einstein during a 1947 discussion, although this was a misinterpretation. This perceived affront incited Strauss' envy and animosity.
Strauss' calculated actions and pettiness were brought out by Downey's performance. His desire to discredit Oppenheimer showed how ego can be harmful and have wider effects.
The dramatic climax of the movie, where Oppenheimer's career and reputation are at stake, is caused by Strauss's hostility and manipulation. The events in the movie are very similar to what really happened, though it's likely that some parts were emphasized for dramatic effect.
Even though the movie conveyed the story from Oppenheimer's point of view, Strauss was shown to be a complicated character whose actions were significant to the story.
Golden Globes 2025: Major wins and highlights
Taking three Golden Globes, The Brutalist was the biggest winner in 2025. For his leading role, Adrien Brody won Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Motion Picture Drama, Brady Corbet won Best Director, and the film won Best Drama.
Emilia Pérez by Jacques Audiard dominated musicals and comedies. The film won Best Musical or Comedy and Best Original Song after ten nominations. Zoe Saldaña and Selena Gomez were nominated for the Golden Globes for Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy.
Conclave, a thriller based on the election of a new pope, won the Golden Globes for Best Screenplay. Jeremy Allen White won Best Actor in a Television Comedy for The Bear, which received five nominations.
First solo female host Nikki Glaser made history in the Golden Globes Awards. Her comedy special, Someday You’ll Die, was nominated but lost to Ali Wong. It aired live on CBS and is streaming online on Paramount+.
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