Cebuana mom gets shout-out at Golden Globes

MANILA, Philippines — It would be an understatement to say that actor Darren Criss had a good start to 2019.

The 31-year-old was no mere clapper at yesterday’s 76th Golden Globe Awards, winning Best Performance by an Actor in a Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television for his portrayal of serial killer Andrew Cunanan in Ryan Murphy’s anthology series “The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story.”

Coming up to the stage to receive his award, Criss, who portrays a young gay man who slayed famous fashion designer Gianni Versace in the series, thanked the men and women behind the show for making him feel like he “made varsity this year.”

Receiving his award at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California on January 7 (Philippine time), Criss gave a shout-out to his fiancée Mia Swier for her “undying love and patience,” as well as to his teachers who were watching at home.

He also took the opportunity to thank his fellow nominees whose work he’s always admired from afar: Antonio Banderas for “Genius: Picasso,” Daniel Brühl for “The Alienist,” Benedict Cumberbatch for “Patrick Melrose” and Hugh Grant for “A Very English Scandal.”

Criss, whose performance in the same series also won him his first Emmy (Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie) last year, grew a tad more serious during the latter part of his speech, saying it had been a “marvelous year for representation in Hollywood.”

The actor ended his bit with a dedication to his Cebuana mother, Cerina Bru.

“I am so enormously proud to be a teeny, tiny part of that as the son of a firecracker Filipino woman from Cebu that dreamed of coming to this country and getting to be invited to cool parties like this,” the “Glee” alum said, addressing his mother as he dedicated the victory to her.

“Mom, I know you’re watching this. You are hugely responsible for most of the good things in my life. I love you dearly. I dedicate this to you,” said Criss, the youngest of two siblings.

Criss was born in San Francisco, California and has occasionally visited the Philippines. He has performed in shows for Ayala Malls.

The Filipino-American rose to public prominence for his performance in “Harry Potter” parodies “A Very Potter Musical,” “A Very Potter Sequel” and “A Very Potter Senior Year,” among many others produced by StarKid Productions, founded in 2009 at the University of Michigan which Criss co-founded as a student.

Eventually, the singer and songwriter found stardom when he portrayed Blaine Anderson in the hit comedy-drama musical series “Glee.” Criss also starred in the Broadway production “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.”

He is up for another award this month, being a nominee for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie at the upcoming 25th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards.