Acclaimed British actor Stephen Graham has shared the chaotic story of how he was separated from his newly-won Golden Globe award mere hours after receiving it, following a dramatic airport mix-up in the United States.
The Frantic Dash That Cost a Trophy
The 52-year-old star, who secured the Best Actor in a TV Mini-Series prize for his role in Netflix's 'Adolescence' earlier this month, explained the unfortunate sequence of events. Immediately after the Los Angeles ceremony, Graham had to travel to Madrid for a filming commitment, leaving him with a tight 35-minute connection.
"As I came off the plane, a woman took me down the stairs, threw me in a car, and drove me across the runway," Graham recounted during an appearance on Capital Breakfast. He expressed instant doubt about his luggage, telling the assistant, "excuse me, there’s no way you’re getting my suitcase on this plane if I’m in a car now." Despite assurances, his fears were realised.
Socks, Pants, Toothbrush... and a Golden Globe
The suitcase, containing all his essentials and the heavy award, failed to make the flight. "The case didn’t make the plane and it was left in Atlanta," Graham stated. When show host Jordan North inquired about the bag's contents, the actor listed them with humorous resignation: "My socks, my pants, my toothbrush… and a Golden Globe."
Graham clarified he had deliberately packed the statuette due to its weight, rather than carrying it in his hand luggage. Fortunately, the situation was resolved after two anxious days, with the award eventually being reunited with its rightful owner.
A Celebrated Project Behind the Win
The award recognises Graham's critically hailed work on 'Adolescence', which he co-created, wrote, and starred in for Netflix. The series has proven to be a major awards season success, also securing top honours at the Emmys and Critics’ Choice awards.
At the same Golden Globes ceremony, his co-stars Owen Cooper and Erin Doherty were also recognised for their performances, and the show itself won the award for Best Television Limited Series, Anthology Series, or Motion Picture Made for Television.
Graham, renowned for his breakout role in This Is England, produced the hit series through his company Matriarch Productions, which is also behind the Disney+ series A Thousand Blows.
