Fil-Am composer a Golden Globe nominee

LOS ANGELES—Filipino-American Robert Lopez and his wife, Kristen Anderson-Lopez, were among the people who woke up Thursday morning to find they had been nominated to the Golden Globe Awards. Robert, award-winning cocreator of “Avenue Q” and “The Book of Mormon”—whose father is part-Filipino—and Kristen nabbed a best original song nod for their powerful ballad, “Let It Go,” sung by Idina Menzel from the animated film, “Frozen.”

“We are so grateful to the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA),” said the couple. “We put a lot of ourselves into ‘Let It Go,’ and working with Disney and Idina Menzel was a dream come true for us.”

As the nominations were announced early morning at the Beverly Hilton, one nominee screamed in Paris and another, wearing ear plugs, was awakened by his partner.

Those were among the nominees’ reactions as Olivia Wilde, Aziz Ansari and Zoe Saldana read the nominations at the Beverly Hills Ballroom. The presenters, along with Miss Golden Globe 2014 Sosie Bacon, daughter of Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick, were introduced by HFPA president Theo Kingma.

Below are some of the reaction comments of some of the nominees. The Golden Globe Awards will be held January 12 at the Beverly Hilton.

Best actor—drama

Tom Hanks (“Captain Phillips”): “I’m honored. The HFPA [throws] a good party and I am happy to be invited.”

Robert Redford (“All is Lost”): “This was unexpected but well-received. JC Chandor has created a unique and wonderfully designed frame for me to step into as an actor… I am appreciative of this acknowledgment by the HFPA.”

Double nominations

Chiwetel Ejiofor (“12 Years a Slave,” and for best actor in a miniseries or TV movie for “Dancing on the Edge”): “It is such a huge honor to be nominated for two Golden Globes and I would like to thank the members of the HFPA for this incredible recognition. The response to ‘12 Years a Slave’ and ‘Dancing on the Edge’ from the public and media alike has been overwhelming… To have been a part of these amazing projects was a gift in itself; that the HFPA has responded in this way truly means so much.”

Julia Louis-Dreyfus (“Enough Said” and for best actress in a TV series-comedy “Veep”): “I’m thrilled and so grateful to the HFPA. Does this mean I need two dresses?”

Best actress—drama

Sandra Bullock (“Gravity”): “The reason I am lucky enough to receive this wonderful nomination … is because Alfonso Cuarón awarded me the most extraordinary experience—to work with him!”

Kate Winslet (“Labor Day”): “I’m extremely surprised and absolutely thrilled to be included this year!”

Best director

Alfonso Cuarón (“Gravity”): “What a great year for cinema! I’d like to congratulate my fellow nominees and, of course, the HFPA for recognizing ‘Gravity’ with four nominations. I had wonderful collaborators, both in front of and behind the camera, who took something of a leap of faith with me years ago when we set out to make this film. I share this honor with all of them. I’m very happy, too, for Sandy who brought this story to life; and for Steve, whose score drives so much of the film’s emotion, for their well-deserved nominations.”

Steve McQueen (“12 Years a Slave”): “Thank you very much to the HFPA for acknowledging our efforts… I am delighted for my cast and crew, who worked so hard on this film to shine a light on a forgotten American hero, Solomon Northup.”

David O. Russell (“American Hustle”): “I’m very humbled by today’s nominations on behalf of myself, our producers, Eric Singer and every actor in this film who gave it up from their souls every day on set… I can’t imagine this film living without each one of them. Our four producers, Chuck Roven, Richard Suckle, Megan Ellison and Jon Gordon have been with us every step of the way, supporting the vision I had for this story and these unique characters. I am proud to share this screenplay nomination with Eric Singer whose terrific script initiated this whole endeavor.”

Alexander Payne (“Nebraska”): “People talk about this being a ‘competitive’ year for film, when really it is an excellent year—so many wonderful movies internationally and at home. I’m happy ‘Nebraska’ is part of the discussion, and I’m especially gratified by the attention Bruce Dern and June Squibb are receiving at what we hope is the midpoint of their careers.”

Best actor—comedy

Leonardo DiCaprio (“The Wolf of Wall Street”): “I’m truly honored… Getting this movie financed and off the ground was a dream of mine for over six years, and is a testament to the true collaboration between Red Granite, Sikelia, Appian Way and Paramount. This film would not have been possible without the genius of Martin Scorsese, and this incredibly talented cast and crew. Making ‘Wolf…’ is one of the highlights of my career.”

Joaquin Phoenix (“Her”): “Thanks to the HFPA for recognizing ‘Her.’ Spike Jonze wrote a wonderful story and I couldn’t be more pleased for him.”

Bruce Dern (“Nebraska”): “What’s wonderful about this nomination is that we started the journey a long time ago and it’s so fantastic that people are supporting ‘Nebraska.’ We are so happy that the HFPA has given this movie a lot of love. With teammates like June Squibb, Will Forte and the rest of the cast, Alexander Payne gave us the best that we could have asked for.”

Best actor in a miniseries or TV movie

Michael Douglas (“Behind the Candelabra”): “Great morning! I am so happy for Matt, everybody involved with ‘Behind the Candelabra,’ and congratulations to our fellow nominees.”

Best actress in a miniseries  or TV movie

Rebecca Ferguson (“The White Queen”): “I’m honored to be nominated in this category and would like to thank the HFPA. I am very proud of ‘The White Queen,’ and my special thanks go to Philippa Gregory, Emma Frost, STARZ, the BBC and Company Pictures.”

Best actress in a TV series—drama

Julianna Margulies (“The Good Wife”): “Thank you to the HFPA for honoring our show with three nominations. We are having an amazing season and it’s so great to be recognized. Congratulations to my costar, Josh Charles, and our wonderful creators, Robert and Michelle King.”

Best supporting actress

Lupita Nyong’o (“12 Years a Slave”): “I can’t express the excitement I felt hearing my name called while listening to the nominations in Paris this afternoon. I screamed and the tears started immediately. I was so overwhelmed! I am so happy for Chiwetel, Michael, Steve, John and Hans. ‘12 Years a Slave’ means so much to me and having the HFPA recognize it is just beyond words.”

June Squibb (“Nebraska”): “Today is marvelous. I’m thrilled that ‘Nebraska’ is now being seen by so many people and they realize what a special movie it is. I’m honored to be in the company of my fellow nominees.”

Best supporting actor

Daniel Bruhl (“Rush”): “I am deeply honored by this nomination. Thank you to the HFPA for all their support. To be nominated in the company of such inspiring and esteemed actors is incredible. Thank you to Ron Howard for believing in me. I am so proud the film has been recognized as well, and delighted for Peter Morgan, Chris Hemsworth and the whole team. We all truly loved working on ‘Rush’ and, as ever, thank you to the magnificent Niki Lauda.”

Bradley Cooper (“American Hustle”): “I’m humbled that the HFPA recognized ‘American Hustle’ in such a big way. I’m so happy for David O. Russell and really proud of this film. To work alongside Christian, Amy, Jeremy, Jen and the entire cast of this film is a real honor.”

Best supporting actress in a series, miniseries or TV movie

Janet McTeer (“The White Queen”): “I am thrilled for the whole creative team, for the BBC and for STARZ! My thanks to the HFPA. And as for my daughter Rebecca, I am so, so very excited for her. What a sunny treat on this cold New York morning.”

Jacqueline Bisset (“Dancing on the Edge”): “I’m delighted. It is encouraging, which is something we all need. Thank you to the HFPA.”

Best original score

Alex Ebert (“All is Lost”): “I woke up to my love shaking me, warmly, grinning. ‘Wake up! Wake up! Take out your earplugs!’ she yelped. I sleep with earplugs—we live right in the thick of it on Frenchmen Street, New Orleans. ‘You were nominated for a Golden Globe!’ I found myself in total jubilated shock. The feeling is truly profound. I am gratitude incarnate right now. Thanks to the HFPA for thinking to honor those things they are touched by. To the entire team, congratulations on such a special and poetic movie.”

(E-mail the columnist at rvnepales_5585@yahoo.com. Follow him at https://twitter.com/nepalesruben.)