Austin Butler takes home lead actor BAFTA for ‘Elvis’

Austin Butler is a newly-crowned BAFTA winner in the Best Actor category for his portrayal of Elvis Presley in Baz Luhrmann’s musical biography Elvis.

Butler’s transformation into the man, the myth, the legend himself was something otherworldly. Shutting the world out for years, he studied everything Presley did; he was on a path to not just lead a film but to become a student of Presley’s life, legacy, and larger-than-life career.

The emotional and thoughtful speech at the BAFTAs was a beautiful look at Butler, who is still so humbly surprised by the recognition he receives for giving his all to the journey of becoming Elvis Presley for Luhrmann’s film. While Elvis allowed us a look at almost three hours of the metamorphosis he experienced, it was nothing compared to the three years he spent as the man who broke our hearts and mended them with songs like Suspicious Minds, Are You Lonesome Tonight, and Can’t Help Falling In Love.

“Thank you all so much. Thank you, BAFTA, for this tremendous honor to my fellow nominees: I’m in awe of you. I am so so grateful for all these times that we’ve been able to spend together. Brendan (Fraser), you’re right there. I love you.”

Butler had a long list of thanks to give to those who helped him on the journey, including Luhrmann, Polly Bennett (Butler’s movement coach), James Farrell (his agent), Patrick McCormick, Jack Ravenscroft, and many others. When thanking Ravenscroft, Butler explained that he used to come in and tell the cast and crew that it was going to be great. Butler returned the sentiments when giving his speech, telling Ravenscroft that it was, in fact, great.

He also thanked the family that made it all possible; those who loved Presley the most.

“I want to thank the Presley family; I cannot thank you guys enough for your love and for sharing with me who Elvis truly was. I hope I’ve made you proud. This means the world to me. Thank you all so much.”

One of the most significant takeaways for the actor was his relationship with the Presley family and the profoundly personal bond he was able to experience with Elvis through them. Butler’s BAFTA win for Elvis isn’t his first award win, and fans are hoping it won’t be his last. With the Academy Awards less than a month away, there’s more buzz than ever about the opportunity for him to come out on top in the Best Actor category.