Adrien Brody Gets Choked Up While Thanking ‘Bravery’ of L.A. Fire First Responders During Acceptance Speech

“I just want to share that my thoughts are with everyone affected by this horrific event,” the ‘Brutalist’ actor said on Wednesday

Adrien Brody attends the Los Angeles special screening of A24's "The Brutalist" at Vista Theatre on December 05, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.
Adrien Brody on Dec. 5, 2024. Photo: Andrew Toth/WireImage

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.”

Adrien Brody attends the Los Angeles special Screening of A24's "The Brutalist" at Vista Theatre on December 05, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.
Adrien Brody on Dec. 5, 2024.Jon Kopaloff/Getty

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.

“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.

Flames overtake the intersection of Temescal Canyon and Pacific Coast Highway Fire at the Palisades Fire in Pacific Palisades California on January 7, 2025.
Flames overtake the intersection of Temescal Canyon and Pacific Coast Highway Fire at the Palisades Fire in Pacific Palisades California on January 7, 2025.

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.

Fire personnel respond to homes destroyed while a helicopter drops water as the Palisades Fire grows in Pacific Palisades, California on January 7, 2025
Fire personnel respond to homes destroyed while a helicopter drops water as the Palisades Fire grows in Pacific Palisades, California on January 7, 2025.DAVID SWANSON/AFP/Getty

Click here to learn more about how to help the victims of the L.A. fires.