The AFI Life Achievement Award was presented to Nicole Kidman at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, honoring her 40-year career. The evening was filled with laughter and tears as various A-listers praised Kidman for her talent and dedication to her craft. Meryl Streep, who co-starred with Kidman in “The Hours,” humorously described the difficulty of being called the greatest actress of her generation when faced with someone as great as Kidman. The audience enjoyed spot-on Australian-accented impressions of Kidman from Streep and Reese Witherspoon.
Kidman teared up when her husband, Keith Urban, recounted how she stood by him during his substance abuse problems early in their marriage. The couple, along with their two daughters, were present at the ceremony, marking the first time the teenagers joined Kidman on the red carpet. Kidman thanked all the directors she has worked with, expressing her gratitude for the opportunity to portray unconventional women on screen. She accepted the AFI award in the same venue where she received her Oscar for “The Hours” in 2003.
The decision to honor Nicole Kidman with the AFI Life Achievement Award was made in November 2022, and the ceremony, originally planned for June 2023, was delayed due to strikes in Hollywood. Kidman has been recognized for her performances in films like “Moulin Rouge,” “Rabbit Hole,” “Lion,” and “Being the Ricardos.” Director Aaron Sorkin praised Kidman’s talent and dedication at the ceremony, where she was also lauded by other stars like Zac Efron, Miles Teller, Zoe Saldana, and Mike Myers, who appeared in disguise from “Eyes Wide Shut.”
Kidman’s career began in Australia as a teenager before making her mark in Hollywood. Friends and colleagues from her early days, such as Naomi Watts, Russell Crowe, Hugh Jackman, and Cate Blanchett, shared tributes to the actress. Kidman’s breakthrough Hollywood role alongside Tom Cruise in “Days of Thunder” marked the start of her rise to stardom, which continued after their divorce in 2001. Her Oscar-winning performance in “The Hours” and her musical role in “Moulin Rouge” were highlighted during the AFI awards show as some of her most memorable work.
The evening came full circle when Morgan Freeman, the 2011 AFI honoree, serenaded Kidman with a modified version of Elton John’s lines from “Moulin Rouge”: “How wonderful life is, now you’re in the world.” Kidman, wearing a glittering gold gown, expressed her appreciation for the support and opportunities she has had throughout her career. The ceremony celebrated Kidman’s contributions to the world of film and television, acknowledging her versatility and talent as an actress. The event will be broadcast on TNT on June 17 for fans to enjoy the tribute to one of Hollywood’s most respected actresses.
