Amazon’s billionaire founder, Jeff Bezos, is becoming a regular at Hollywood award ceremonies like tonight’s Golden Globes, and now he’s becoming an inspiration for the jokes as well.
Bezos is attending the free-wheeling festivities by virtue of the 11 nominations that Amazon Studios picked up this year, including five for its TV shows and five more for “Manchester by the Sea,” an Amazon-backed theatrical release. Another movie with an Amazon connection, “The Salesman,” was up for best foreign-language film.
One of the video productions, “Goliath,” picked up a best-actor award early in the evening for Billy Bob Thornton’s portrayal of a washed-up lawyer trying to redeem himself. Toward the end of the show, “Manchester” star Casey Affleck won the Golden Globe for best actor in a dramatic movie.
But for Bezos, the biggest nod of the night may well be the joke that Golden Globes host Jimmy Fallon shot his way. After mentioning Amazon’s nominations, Fallon noted that Bezos was out in the audience.
“He actually arrived yesterday, but there was no one around to sign for him,” said Fallon – making a sly reference to Amazon’s main line of business, package delivery.
Bezos, who was sitting at one of the head tables in the Beverly Hilton ballroom, laughed as loud as anyone.
Check out some of the commentary from Twitter’s peanut gallery:
Jeff Bezos and Roy Price reppin' Amazon on the carpet #GoldenGlobes pic.twitter.com/3OJ6oZYY4H
— Bryn Elise Sandberg (@brynsandberg) January 9, 2017
"Manchester by the Sea" director Kenny Lonergan chatting with Amazon head Jeff Bezos. #GoldenGlobes pic.twitter.com/ddLDJFzzXz
— Amy Kaufman (@AmyKinLA) January 8, 2017
if there was any doubt that Jeff Bezos is the most powerful media mogul around, note that he's at Golden Globes seated next to Matt Damon
— Neal Justin (@nealjustin) January 9, 2017
Jeff Bezos in attendance at Golden Globes and has already been the butt of one of Fallon's monologue jokes. Amazon is Hollywood official.
— Lauren (@LaurenGoode) January 9, 2017
The biggest mistake of the #GoldenGlobes was not having a mic on Jeff Bezos so everyone could hear his laugh because it's delightful.
— Kim Holcomb (@kimholcomb) January 9, 2017
#BillyBobThornton picks up a Golden Globe for his role on the Amazon series #Goliath. #GoldenGlobes pic.twitter.com/3LA1TrynwN
— FreakSugar (@FreakSugar) January 9, 2017
Did not know until tonight that Bezos and $AMZN were behind #ManchesterByTheSea #GoldenGlobes https://t.co/nY2L6adZOG
— Carolyn Marshall (@kiwitrader24) January 9, 2017
Casey Affleck thanks Jeff Bezos for his best actor award. Wonder if this means Affleck will also get an Echo. #GoldenGlobes pic.twitter.com/TdrE7UrqPi
— Lance Ulanoff (@LanceUlanoff) January 9, 2017