Leonardo DiCaprio speaks out about 'extremism' at NBR Awards
- - Leonardo DiCaprio speaks out about 'extremism' at NBR Awards
Patrick Ryan, USA TODAYJanuary 14, 2026 at 10:09 PM
0
Hosted by journalist Willie Geist, the ceremony celebrates the best of filmmaking across categories, including best picture, best director, best actor and actress, and more. Scroll through to see who attended the gala, including Leonardo DiCaprio.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Awards show season is not a sprint, it's a marathon — just ask the celebs. After a jam-packed weekend of Golden Globes festivities, the stars are off across the coast to celebrate the 2026 National Board of Review Gala in New York City.Hosted by journalist Willie Geist, the ceremony celebrates the best of filmmaking across categories, including best picture, best director, best actor and actress, and more. Scroll through to see who attended the gala, including Leonardo DiCaprio.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/19J0kD1VZJ_S1omEx3HmVA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/afb268acf495191868aa2de4d416d6c3 class=caas-img data-headline="Leonardo DiCaprio, Emily Blunt, more stars attend the 2026 National Board of Review gala" data-caption="
Awards show season is not a sprint, it's a marathon — just ask the celebs. After a jam-packed weekend of Golden Globes festivities, the stars are off across the coast to celebrate the 2026 National Board of Review Gala in New York City.Hosted by journalist Willie Geist, the ceremony celebrates the best of filmmaking across categories, including best picture, best director, best actor and actress, and more. Scroll through to see who attended the gala, including Leonardo DiCaprio.
">Awards show season is not a sprint, it's a marathon — just ask the celebs. After a jam-packed weekend of Golden Globes festivities, the stars are off across the coast to celebrate the 2026 National Board of Review Gala in New York City.Hosted by journalist Willie Geist, the ceremony celebrates the best of filmmaking across categories, including best picture, best director, best actor and actress, and more. Scroll through to see who attended the gala, including Leonardo DiCaprio.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/19J0kD1VZJ_S1omEx3HmVA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/afb268acf495191868aa2de4d416d6c3 class=caas-img>Chase Infiniti attends the National Board of Review annual gala at Cipriani 42nd Street on Jan. 13, 2026, in New York City.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/nnHXL.ZqltbWZcwBHCTKOQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/aec0f2530e7f363c4c8564d012a2e55f class=caas-img data-headline="Leonardo DiCaprio, Emily Blunt, more stars attend the 2026 National Board of Review gala" data-caption="
Chase Infiniti attends the National Board of Review annual gala at Cipriani 42nd Street on Jan. 13, 2026, in New York City.
">Chase Infiniti attends the National Board of Review annual gala at Cipriani 42nd Street on Jan. 13, 2026, in New York City.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/nnHXL.ZqltbWZcwBHCTKOQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/aec0f2530e7f363c4c8564d012a2e55f class=caas-img>Emily Blunt
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/QvS7R8sw2GgThKApuJPzEA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/77df6fe46639267d19ed29439133e4fb class=caas-img data-headline="Leonardo DiCaprio, Emily Blunt, more stars attend the 2026 National Board of Review gala" data-caption="
Emily Blunt
">Emily Blunt
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/QvS7R8sw2GgThKApuJPzEA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/77df6fe46639267d19ed29439133e4fb class=caas-img>Peter Sarsgaard and Maggie Gyllenhaal
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/uLW4gERFsO5J6AuQ4u6KCA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/8745b11f9093118372635523f128deb7 class=caas-img data-headline="Leonardo DiCaprio, Emily Blunt, more stars attend the 2026 National Board of Review gala" data-caption="
Peter Sarsgaard and Maggie Gyllenhaal
">Peter Sarsgaard and Maggie Gyllenhaal
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/uLW4gERFsO5J6AuQ4u6KCA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/8745b11f9093118372635523f128deb7 class=caas-img>Delroy Lindo
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/TxqdHYsgBHxfLANRXkCFEg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Njc-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/74ad5246fb385906860aabeb650e9d2b class=caas-img data-headline="Leonardo DiCaprio, Emily Blunt, more stars attend the 2026 National Board of Review gala" data-caption="
Delroy Lindo
">Delroy Lindo
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/TxqdHYsgBHxfLANRXkCFEg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Njc-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/74ad5246fb385906860aabeb650e9d2b class=caas-img>Wunmi Mosaku
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/zgInne.Ai9NYwnHIrJ8ImQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/886c17795d558b38ba803e19195cf4b3 class=caas-img data-headline="Leonardo DiCaprio, Emily Blunt, more stars attend the 2026 National Board of Review gala" data-caption="
Wunmi Mosaku
">Wunmi Mosaku
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/zgInne.Ai9NYwnHIrJ8ImQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/886c17795d558b38ba803e19195cf4b3 class=caas-img>Ryan Coogler
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/yg4VhohQHQ1HKESDBW3Q_A--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/d21f8ab463184987bc4ee88a9a23d5c5 class=caas-img data-headline="Leonardo DiCaprio, Emily Blunt, more stars attend the 2026 National Board of Review gala" data-caption="
Ryan Coogler
">Ryan Coogler
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/yg4VhohQHQ1HKESDBW3Q_A--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/d21f8ab463184987bc4ee88a9a23d5c5 class=caas-img>Eva Victor
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/vFkyWMHMPXuuQPPsOTSn5w--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/2971ba817d82c8ce956c0e9cccf7a725 class=caas-img data-headline="Leonardo DiCaprio, Emily Blunt, more stars attend the 2026 National Board of Review gala" data-caption="
Eva Victor
">Eva Victor
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/vFkyWMHMPXuuQPPsOTSn5w--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/2971ba817d82c8ce956c0e9cccf7a725 class=caas-img>Rose Byrne and Mary Bronstein
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/UfQruU7hZTzS3dPo3es6CA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/378a9bf8b09744b438d54c5a24ec8832 class=caas-img data-headline="Leonardo DiCaprio, Emily Blunt, more stars attend the 2026 National Board of Review gala" data-caption="
Rose Byrne and Mary Bronstein
">Rose Byrne and Mary Bronstein
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/UfQruU7hZTzS3dPo3es6CA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/378a9bf8b09744b438d54c5a24ec8832 class=caas-img>Michael B. Jordan
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/skDOP5RKlttzfse_eAwSvQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYy/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/c43fef5157edc431639222938e7fb497 class=caas-img data-headline="Leonardo DiCaprio, Emily Blunt, more stars attend the 2026 National Board of Review gala" data-caption="
Michael B. Jordan
">Michael B. Jordan
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/skDOP5RKlttzfse_eAwSvQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYy/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/c43fef5157edc431639222938e7fb497 class=caas-img>Amy Ryan
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/qXRxL8qHQ5gU0BNKwNZVCg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/1151b6617bc13c00352dcc3f439df957 class=caas-img data-headline="Leonardo DiCaprio, Emily Blunt, more stars attend the 2026 National Board of Review gala" data-caption="
Amy Ryan
">Amy Ryan
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/qXRxL8qHQ5gU0BNKwNZVCg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/1151b6617bc13c00352dcc3f439df957 class=caas-img>Chase Infiniti
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/DFl0TbcVWHZWfK5.V2vc4Q--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/6b91e6011f431bf5f66e7769414c54d0 class=caas-img data-headline="Leonardo DiCaprio, Emily Blunt, more stars attend the 2026 National Board of Review gala" data-caption="
Chase Infiniti
">Chase Infiniti
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/DFl0TbcVWHZWfK5.V2vc4Q--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/6b91e6011f431bf5f66e7769414c54d0 class=caas-img>Leonardo DiCaprio
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/CUpeGqr9baTGdIu7XA.qng--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/e83f2ae5824a569085d8f94b572ca1cf class=caas-img data-headline="Leonardo DiCaprio, Emily Blunt, more stars attend the 2026 National Board of Review gala" data-caption="
Leonardo DiCaprio
">Leonardo DiCaprio
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/CUpeGqr9baTGdIu7XA.qng--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/e83f2ae5824a569085d8f94b572ca1cf class=caas-img>Chase Infiniti
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/6WBrPu4VsvKLE430OGdmZw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/3c54aa1f9c1fdcd48874654d6af6fe26 class=caas-img data-headline="Leonardo DiCaprio, Emily Blunt, more stars attend the 2026 National Board of Review gala" data-caption="
Chase Infiniti
">Chase Infiniti
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/6WBrPu4VsvKLE430OGdmZw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/3c54aa1f9c1fdcd48874654d6af6fe26 class=caas-img>Leonardo DiCaprio
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/kQCmaBGjGZPhyonQhv5DGw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/9ed44943f266ab1530133103672c02dd class=caas-img data-headline="Leonardo DiCaprio, Emily Blunt, more stars attend the 2026 National Board of Review gala" data-caption="
Leonardo DiCaprio
">Leonardo DiCaprio
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/kQCmaBGjGZPhyonQhv5DGw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/9ed44943f266ab1530133103672c02dd class=caas-img>Peter Sarsgaard
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/XmtUTi_zdYiVlofAqhY0bA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/203cd82995dbbddf0df7bce63a76586e class=caas-img data-headline="Leonardo DiCaprio, Emily Blunt, more stars attend the 2026 National Board of Review gala" data-caption="
Peter Sarsgaard
">Peter Sarsgaard
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/XmtUTi_zdYiVlofAqhY0bA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/203cd82995dbbddf0df7bce63a76586e class=caas-img>Emily Blunt
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/B2JlNccXPxrne6wzG6lcFg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/11de40440fc66f493e722fb99287d728 class=caas-img data-headline="Leonardo DiCaprio, Emily Blunt, more stars attend the 2026 National Board of Review gala" data-caption="
Emily Blunt
">Emily Blunt
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/B2JlNccXPxrne6wzG6lcFg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/11de40440fc66f493e722fb99287d728 class=caas-img>Zinzi Coogler and Ryan Coogler
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/azIB.1qf0jdW.VYnR3yy3A--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/555189f98378d5f54f9f824fb75559b2 class=caas-img data-headline="Leonardo DiCaprio, Emily Blunt, more stars attend the 2026 National Board of Review gala" data-caption="
Zinzi Coogler and Ryan Coogler
">Zinzi Coogler and Ryan Coogler
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/azIB.1qf0jdW.VYnR3yy3A--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/555189f98378d5f54f9f824fb75559b2 class=caas-img>Wunmi Mosaku
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/x3WBErP78o78cj0SIGvuog--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/2ff58a1c23fc4fe9529b22d48ad9858a class=caas-img data-headline="Leonardo DiCaprio, Emily Blunt, more stars attend the 2026 National Board of Review gala" data-caption="
Wunmi Mosaku
">Wunmi Mosaku
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/x3WBErP78o78cj0SIGvuog--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/2ff58a1c23fc4fe9529b22d48ad9858a class=caas-img>Benicio del Toro
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/ILpAvOLcZLXTg_Xb_xCt8g--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/771d83bf09b578d71cd288ac0e7cddcf class=caas-img data-headline="Leonardo DiCaprio, Emily Blunt, more stars attend the 2026 National Board of Review gala" data-caption="
Benicio del Toro
">Benicio del Toro
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/ILpAvOLcZLXTg_Xb_xCt8g--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/771d83bf09b578d71cd288ac0e7cddcf class=caas-img>Benicio del Toro
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/DnwggHDaG_LjLnMXB65CKA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/a0c6a2b41d2c4a2bdcab81545670200d class=caas-img data-headline="Leonardo DiCaprio, Emily Blunt, more stars attend the 2026 National Board of Review gala" data-caption="
Benicio del Toro
">Benicio del Toro
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/DnwggHDaG_LjLnMXB65CKA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/a0c6a2b41d2c4a2bdcab81545670200d class=caas-img>Michael B. Jordan, Zinzi Coogler and Ryan Coogler
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/atvtsPqTbccKQMWnzYlGmA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/e4c09493617ed571f98953cc406be257 class=caas-img data-headline="Leonardo DiCaprio, Emily Blunt, more stars attend the 2026 National Board of Review gala" data-caption="
Michael B. Jordan, Zinzi Coogler and Ryan Coogler
">Michael B. Jordan, Zinzi Coogler and Ryan Coogler
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/atvtsPqTbccKQMWnzYlGmA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/e4c09493617ed571f98953cc406be257 class=caas-img>Thom Powers and Richard Lorber
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/kOowWGPD2ckJyBuo4wsuwA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD05NjY-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/5aac85e02f7fa0ae9d62342e66cf177b class=caas-img data-headline="Leonardo DiCaprio, Emily Blunt, more stars attend the 2026 National Board of Review gala" data-caption="
Thom Powers and Richard Lorber
">Thom Powers and Richard Lorber
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/kOowWGPD2ckJyBuo4wsuwA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD05NjY-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/5aac85e02f7fa0ae9d62342e66cf177b class=caas-img>Eva Victor and Jesse Eisenber
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/Ka3WmHyGPgUcdX9Mhcin2g--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD05NDE-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/5b6c1be1121b44aa443a866633790ac2 class=caas-img data-headline="Leonardo DiCaprio, Emily Blunt, more stars attend the 2026 National Board of Review gala" data-caption="
Eva Victor and Jesse Eisenber
">Eva Victor and Jesse Eisenber
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/Ka3WmHyGPgUcdX9Mhcin2g--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD05NDE-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/5b6c1be1121b44aa443a866633790ac2 class=caas-img>
1 / 24Leonardo DiCaprio, Emily Blunt, more stars attend the 2026 National Board of Review gala
Awards show season is not a sprint, it's a marathon — just ask the celebs. After a jam-packed weekend of Golden Globes festivities, the stars are off across the coast to celebrate the 2026 National Board of Review Gala in New York City.Hosted by journalist Willie Geist, the ceremony celebrates the best of filmmaking across categories, including best picture, best director, best actor and actress, and more. Scroll through to see who attended the gala, including Leonardo DiCaprio.
NEW YORK — Forget Rose Byrne's bearded dragon.
The new (unseen) star of awards season is the Aussie's legendary spinach pie, which close friend Paul Rudd salivated over as he presented Byrne with best actress at the National Board of Review Awards Jan. 13.
Their families spend every Thanksgiving together, "and while you probably know just how talented she is, one thing you might not know is that she makes a mean spinach pie," Rudd said as he introduced Byrne, who was being feted for her unflinching work in "If I Had Legs I'd Kick You."
"It's the hit of Thanksgiving," he continued. "My kids don’t like turkey, but they live for Rose's spinach pie. It's a topic of conversation year-round."
Byrne playfully deflected his praise, saying that no one has brought "more joy to cinema" than her dear pal "Paulie": "He's also my husband's [Bobby Cannavale] best friend, so that might be why he's here."
Rose Byrne, left, and Paul Rudd pose with her best actress trophy from the National Board of Review on Jan. 13 in New York.
It was a lighthearted moment during an event that otherwise tried to reckon with the frivolity of awards shows amid global unrest. Filmmakers including Jafar Panahi ("It Was Just An Accident"), Laura Poitras ("Cover-Up") and Clint Bentley ("Train Dreams") all used their time onstage to speak out about political violence and protests, and the importance of art in the face of government censorship.
The show also featured a number of surprise guests and reunions: Martin Scorsese, who presented best film to Paul Thomas Anderson's "One Battle After Another"; and Emily Blunt, who gave best supporting actor to "One Battle" star Benicio Del Toro – or as she called him, "B.D.T., the Best Damn Thing."
Here are some of the biggest moments of the annual NBR awards gala, which was hosted once against at Cipriani 42nd Street:
Ryan Coogler speaks out about Renee Good killing by ICE agent
The "Sinners" director delivered a tearful, impassioned speech accepting the award for best original screenplay, as he paid tribute to his late Uncle James, whose love of blues music inspired the movie, and his former English and creative writing professor, Rosemary Graham, who was his special guest at the ceremony.
Rosemary Graham, left, Annie Schulhof, Ryan Coogler and Zinzi Coogler pose for a picture at the NBR gala at Cipriani 42nd Street.
He also honored Renee Nicole Good, whose fatal shooting by an ICE agent in Minneapolis earlier this month has sparked mass protests. Coogler recalled making his 2013 directorial debut "Fruitvale Station" starring Michael B. Jordan, which told the true story of an unarmed man killed by a transit cop.
"I was young and naive, and thought the movie was going to change the world and make it so we don't see people executed by civil servants anymore," Coogler said. "It's tough to be here and not think of Minnesota. My heart is broken."
Meryl Streep's daughter steps in to present to Leonardo DiCaprio
Due to scheduling issues, Streep was "stuck in California" and unable to make it to NBR to give DiCaprio his best actor trophy for "One Battle." Instead, she called on her daughter, "The Gilded Age" actress Louisa Jacobson, to read a letter from her about working with a young DiCaprio on the 1996 drama "Marvin's Room."
Leonardo DiCaprio attends the 2026 National Board of Review Gala at Cipriani 42nd Street on Jan. 13, 2026, in New York City.
"Wow. Hey, everybody," Jacobson said as she walked onstage. "Big shoes to fill ‒ the story of my life."
In his speech, DiCaprio paid loving homage to his 82-year-old mother, Irmelin, who was in attendance, as well as writer and director Anderson.
"To make a film at this time that is so topical and so pertinent ‒ about extremism, about divisiveness, that says something about the world we live in ‒ was an absolute honor and joyous experience," DiCaprio said.
Stellan Skarsgård weighs in on viral discussion around awards-show food
Stellan Skarsgård on the 2026 National Board of Review Awards red carpet.
A hot topic of conversation on social media this month has been the varying dinner spreads served at Hollywood awards shows, from the meager fruit plates at the Critics Choice Awards to the pricey Nobu sushi at the Golden Globes.
Skarsgård, who won best supporting actor for "Sentimental Value" at the Golden Globes, finds the concept odd to begin with.
"It's very strange because here in America, you can eat while someone is talking," Skarsgård tells USA TODAY good-naturedly on the NBR red carpet. "You can't do that in Europe – you eat and then you listen. But it has to be fresh. You can't serve fish for 500 people – it's not good. I could make up a little menu and cook it, but only for you!"
"Sentimental Value" breakout Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas was honored for her performance.
Perhaps to Skarsgård's dismay, NBR guests were served salmon and vegetables during the three-hour show. The Swedish actor was on hand to support his "Sentimental Value" costar Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, who was awarded best supporting actress. The Norwegian newcomer charmed the crowd with her speech about experiencing awards season for the first time.
"I've learned so many new words," Lilleaas said onstage. "I've learned the word 'Spanx.' I've learned the word 'publicist.' I tried to Google 'publicist' in August trying to understand what that is ‒ but now I do and it's everything!"
More: Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas is the beating heart of 'Sentimental Value'
On the red carpet, both actors expressed the importance of family during awards season. Despite the constant screenings and events, Lilleaas tells USA TODAY that she's still managed to fly home to Norway regularly to spend time with her husband and young son.
"I do all the mom stuff," Lilleaas says. "Being a mother pulls you back into reality pretty quickly."
Skarsgård, meanwhile, says "Sentimental Value" has resonated with so many people because it approaches family relationships with a light touch.
"My 13-year-old son thought it was a fantastic film," Skarsgård said. "He loved it, and he thinks that TikTok is slow!"
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Leonardo DiCaprio condemns 'extremism' at National Board of Review
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
