The Golden Globes gave Bohemian Rhapsody its top prize in an unexpected victory over A Star is Born and named 1960s segregation-era roadtrip Green Book the best comedy or musical film.
Bohemian Rhapsody winner Rami Malek poses with Graham King (second from right), Brian May (third from left) and Mike Myers (far right) during the 76th annual Golden Globe Awards. Photo: AFP
Tears and astonishment marked the winners podium as Glenn Close for The Wife beat front-runner Lady Gaga as best drama actress, and Green Book triumphed over more high profile comedies Vice and The Favourite.
"Oh my God. I just don't believe it," a tearful Close said of her win, before issuing a rallying cry to women to seek fulfillment in their careers.
"We have to say, I can do that, and I should be allowed to do that," the 71-year-old said, to huge applause from the gathering of A-list stars.
Streaming service Netflix, which has upended Hollywood by spending billions on original programming, won five Golden Globes across movies and television, including best foreign language film Roma.
The Mexican movie, which also took the prize for best director, is seen as an Oscar frontrunner in February.
Rami Malek, who won best drama actor for his role as late Queen frontman Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody, dedicated his award to the British singer, who died of AIDS in 1991.
"I love you, you beautiful man. This is for you, and because of you, gorgeous," Malek said.
Vice, a scathing political comedy about the rise to power of former US Vice President Dick Cheney, went into the ceremony with a leading six nominations but emerged with just one win, for Christian Bale for his performance as Cheney.
Instead, small Focus Features movie Green Book went home with the biggest haul - three - including best comedy, supporting actor (Mahershala Ali) and screenplay.
"This is beyond anything we ever imagined when we began shooting," said director and writer Peter Farrelly. He said the story of the black pianist who strikes up a friendship with his Italian-American driver gave him hope.
"I wanted to share that hope with you because we are still living in divided times," Farrelly said.
Co-host Sandra Oh, who was born in Canada of Asian descent, paid tribute to the slew of Golden Globe-nominated films and TV shows featuring black and Asian actors and directors, including Crazy Rich Asians, Black Panther, and BlacKkKlansman.
"I wanted to be here to look out into this audience and witness this moment of change," Oh said. "Right now this moment is real. Because I see you ... all these faces of change. And now so will everyone else."
It was a good night for Oh, who as well as co-hosting her first Golden Globe ceremony was named best television drama actress for BBC America thriller Killing Eve.
In contrast to the political barbs, often directed at US President Donald Trump, that have marked recent awards shows, the Golden Globes had a more positive vibe.
Lady Gaga, whose role in Warner Bros A Star is Born was her first lead part after a successful music career, won best original song for 'Shallow'.
British actress Olivia Coleman was a winner for bawdy historical romp The Favourite.
In television, the big winners were Cold War spy thriller The Americans, limited series The Assassination of Gianni Versace, and new Netflix comedy The Kominsky Method.
Carol Burnett and Jeff Bridges were both awarded lifetime achievement Golden Globes.
Full list of 2019 Golden Globes winners:
- Best Drama - Bohemian Rhapsody
- Best Comedy or Musical - Green Book
- Best Actor, Drama - Rami Malek - Bohemian Rhapsody
- Best Actress, Drama - Glenn Close - The Wife
- Best Actor, Comedy or Musical - Christian Bale - Vice
- Best Actress, Comedy or Musical - Olivia Colman - The Favourite
- Best Director - Alfonso Cuaron - Roma
- Best Supporting Actor - Mahershala Ali - Green Book
- Best Supporting Actress - Regina King - If Beale Street Could Talk
- Best Animated Film - Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
- Best Foreign Film - Roma - Mexico
- Best Original Song - 'Shallow' - A Star is Born
Television:
- Best TV Drama Series - The Americans - FX
- Best TV Comedy/Musical Series - The Kominsky Method - Netflix
- Best Actor, TV Drama - Richard Madden - Bodyguard
- Best Actress, TV Drama - Sandra Oh - Killing Eve
- Best Actor, TV Comedy/Musical - Michael Douglas - The Kominsky Method
- Best Actress, TV Comedy/Musical - Rachel Brosnahan - The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
- Best TV Movie or Limited Series - The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story - FX
-Reuters