Ving Rhames won the Best Actor award at the 2000 Venice Film Festival for his role in Animal Factory. After receiving his award, he immediately walked over to Jack Lemmon, who was sitting in the front row, and handed it to him. When asked why he did this, Rhames replied, “Jack Lemmon is my hero. I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for him.”
Lemmon was a major influence on Rhames’s career, and Rhames has said that he learned everything he knows about acting from Lemmon. In fact, when Rhames was first starting out as an actor, he would often watch Lemmon’s films and imitate his performance.
In 1997, Ving Rhames won the Best Actor award at the Cannes Film Festival for his performance in Spike Lee’s film “Clockers.” After receiving his award, he surprised everyone by giving it to Jack Lemmon, saying that Lemmon was “the reason I’m an actor.” Why did Ving Rhames give his award to Jack Lemmon?
It’s likely because of the immense respect that Rhames has for Lemmon as an actor. Lemmon is a Hollywood legend, with a career spanning over five decades. He’s won two Oscars and been nominated for eight others.
He’s also considered one of the greatest actors of all time. For Rhames, giving his award to Lemmon was likely a way of showing respect for a man who has inspired him and countless other actors. It was also a way of honoring someone who has had such an incredible impact on the world of film.
Why Did Ving Rhames Gives His Golden Globe to Jack Lemmon?
In 1996, Ving Rhames won the Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Miniseries or Television Film for his portrayal of Don King in “Don King: Only in America”. After receiving his award, Rhames walked over to Jack Lemmon, who was sitting in the front row, and handed him the trophy. When asked why he did this, Rhames replied, “Because he’s the king.”
This act of generosity and respect was not without precedent; earlier that evening, when Lemmon won the Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama for his role in “Save The Tiger”, he had made a similar gesture by giving his award to Marlon Brando. Like Lemmon, Brando is considered one of the greatest actors of all time; however, unlike Lemmon, Brando had never won a Golden Globe. This led many to believe that Rhames’ gesture was inspired by Brando’s.
Whatever the reason behind it, Ving Rhames’ act of handing over his Golden Globe to Jack Lemmon is an enduring moment of Hollywood history.
Did Jack Lemmon Ever Won an Oscar?
Jack Lemmon was an American actor and musician. He won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in the film Mister Roberts (1955). He also won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor for his work in Save the Tiger (1973).
Conclusion
In his career, actor Ving Rhames has played many memorable roles. But one of his most iconic was as the tough-talking gangster Marsellus Wallace in Pulp Fiction. Recently, while attending a film festival, Rhames was presented with an award for his work on that film.
And in a touching moment, he decided to give the award to another icon: Jack Lemmon.
In an emotional speech, Rhames explained that it was Lemmon who had inspired him to become an actor. He recounted how he’d seen The Apartment when he was just a kid and been blown away by Lemmon’s performance.
That film had made him realize that he wanted to be an actor and tell stories that could touch people’s lives the way that Lemmon had touched his.
It’s clear that Rhames is still hugely inspired by Lemmon’s work and it’s wonderful to see him paying tribute to the man who helped him find his calling in life.
