Emma Stone: Who is this Meryl Streep woman?

FROM LEFT: Dick Clark Productions’ EVP of TV Barry Adelman, Jeremy Piven, Kate Beckinsale, Paula Patton, Peter Krause, Miss Golden Globe Greer Grammer and HFPA president Theo Kingma. photo by ruben v. nepales

LOS ANGELES—Meryl Streep who? Emma Stone, reacting last Thursday to her nomination in the Golden Globe Best Supporting Actress category where she’s pitted against the formidable Meryl, jested, “Can someone please explain who this ‘Meryl Streep’ woman is?!”

Emma was one of the talents who woke up early that day and learned they had been nominated to the 72nd Golden Globe Awards, presented by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), in recognition of outstanding film and television work.

Actors Kate Beckinsale, Jeremy Piven, Paula Patton and Peter Krause announced the nominees in early-morning ceremonies at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills. Also onstage were HFPA president Theo Kingma, Dick Clark Productions’ executive producer Barry Adelman and Miss Golden Globe 2015, Greer Grammer, daughter of actor Kelsey Grammer.

“I have no words,” said Emma, who earned a nod for her portrayal of the fresh-from-drug-rehab daughter and personal assistant of a has-been actor (played by Michael Keaton) in Alejandro Gonzalez Iñarritu’s “Birdman.” “I am so incredibly honored and grateful for this and feel insanely lucky to have had the chance to work with Alejandro, Michael (Keaton), Edward (Norton) and the whole cast and crew of the beautiful madness that is ‘Birdman.’ Now, can someone please explain who this ‘Meryl Streep’ woman is?!”

Benedict Cumberbatch, Best Actor-Drama nominee for essaying World War II code cracker Alan Turing, sent a statement from the United Kingdom: “I have just come out of the studio playing Richard III to this extraordinary news. Wow. I am so thrilled. Also for the recognition the film has received with these nominations. It’s so exciting and rewarding to be in such an extraordinary collection of brilliant performances.”

JEREMY Piven being interviewed after the Golden Globe nominations announcement photo by ruben nepales

Most candid

Gina Rodriguez, cited in the Best actress in a TV series-comedy or musical for her titular role in “Jane the Virgin,” offered the most candid reaction: “I’ve never had a problem talking. On the contrary, most people can’t shut me up. Nothing said something this magical was supposed to happen. Everything said the opposite, from people’s response to the unusual title, our crazy synopsis, to the fact that I am still just a Puerto Rican girl from Chicago.

“The Golden Globe nomination has rendered me speechless. I can’t even put my gratitude into words. And for me, well, this is a first. ‘Thank you’ is too small. ‘Will you marry me?’ isn’t appropriate. I’m in love is true, and oh, can someone tell me how to explain to my parents what the Golden Globes are?”

Best Actor-Drama nominee Eddie Redmayne, brilliant as renowned astrophysicist Stephen Hawking in the film “The Theory of Everything,” said, “I am beyond thrilled to be nominated alongside such a stunning quartet of actors. The fact that Felicity (Jones), Jóhann (Johannsson, nominated for Best Score) and the film are nominated means the world. I am hugely grateful to professor Stephen Hawking for his personal support in helping us to share his story with the world.”

For her part, Best Actress-Drama nominee Felicity exclaimed, “I’m overjoyed to hear this news! It’s a tremendous feeling to receive recognition for this film among a list of so many wonderful actors. It’s an absolute privilege. The greatest to Jane Hawking for entrusting me with performing her moving and inspirational life story.”

‘Loved every ounce’

Jake Gyllenhaal, whose portrayal of an intense freelance videographer who sells grisly footage to TV news shows in “Nightcrawler” netted him a Best Actor-Drama nod, said, “It was my job to fit into the skin of this ridiculously original person Dan Gilroy (writer-director) had written on the page. I loved every ounce of this opportunity.”

“Thank you to the Hollywood Foreign Press for embracing the Baker’s Wife and recognizing this film that I am so proud to be a part of,” remarked Emily Blunt, in the running for Best Actress-Comedy or Musical for “Into the Woods.” “Playing this part made me stretch myself as an actor and muster up any courage I could to find my singing voice. It was so worth it to be a part of Rob Marshall’s beautiful and moving film that means so much to me.”

Keira Knightley, nominated for Best Supporting Actress in “The Imitation Game,” commented, “I felt so lucky to have portrayed Joan Clarke, such an extraordinary woman who defied convention and was part of a moment in history. I can’t wait to celebrate with everyone.”

“Oh boy, what an incredible day,” Julianne Moore reacted about her double nomination—Best Actress-Drama for “Still Alice” and Best Actress-Comedy or Musical for “Maps to the Stars.” “I am so thrilled to be recognized for both of these movies by the Hollywood Foreign Press. I feel very lucky to be invited to their awesome party and to be in the company of these wonderful actors.”

Also in the Best Actress-Drama race for “Wild” is Reese Witherspoon, who said, “I’m extremely thankful that the film is being recognized in this way. ‘Wild’ is truly my baby and was a labor of love from the beginning. Cheryl Strayed was so brave in putting her life’s journey into words and it makes me happy that this type of recognition will hopefully drive more people to experience it on film.”

‘Thrilled beyond words’

Patricia Arquette, who saw herself grow and mature in “Boyhood” which director Richard Linklater shot intermittently over a 12-year period and for which she snagged a Best Supporting Actress nod, admitted, “I never expected this kind of recognition at this phase in my career. It feels so incredible. I love this film so much and everyone involved with it.

“I am thrilled beyond words for my onscreen ex-husband and real-life friend Ethan Hawke and for our visionary writer-director and producer Richard Linklater. Making ‘Boyhood’ over the course of 12 years was pure joy. I hope all of this recognition will encourage audiences to go and experience this truly special film.”

“I love champagne!” gushed French composer Alexandre Desplat, who earned a Best Original Score nod for his work in “The Imitation Game.” Speaking of bubbly, even at the ungodly hour of 5 a.m., Moet & Chandon was served during the nominations announcement. “Great joy to be invited to the Golden Globes!” Alexandre added, referring to the annual January event which is considered Hollywood’s party of the year.

Fast-rising singer Lorde (whose real name is Ella Yelich-O’Connor), who bagged a Best Original Song nod for “Yellow Flicker Beat” from “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay-Part 1,” shared, “I am so shocked and happy to know that ‘Yellow Flicker Beat’ has been included in the running for Best Original Song. I thought Katniss was one of a kind when I first laid eyes on her in a cinema in 2012—a rough, sparkling diamond of a mind.

“It was a privilege getting to step inside Katniss’ head and speak her thoughts, even for a brief moment. Getting to write a song for a film like ‘Mockingjay-Part 1’ is a truly singular experience. I am blown away that that experience got me nominated for a Golden Globe. I’ll see you there.”

Another Best Song nominee, John Legend, who composed “Glory” with Common for “Selma,” a Martin Luther King Jr. biopic, enthused, “Common and I wrote this song as a labor of love in honor of this magnificent film and the incredible men and women whose struggle the film chronicles. As we continue to march for justice and equality in 2014, we are so inspired by their work.”

Composer Antonio Sanchez, whose improvisatory, stimulating drums and cymbals only music for “Birdman” earned him a Best Score nomination, said, “I’m thankful to Alejandro Gonzáles Iñárritu for the opportunity to work on this masterful film and everyone who was involved in the process of helping it come to fruition. Being a jazz musician in our modern culture involves being cloaked in relative darkness when it comes to popular media attention. So I really hope this nomination helps propel our music and industry to a higher plane.”