Paul Giamatti Wins Best Actor (Musical or Comedy) at the Golden Globes

Paul Giamatti won Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy at the 2011 Golden Globe Awards for his performance in "Barney's Version." Was this a surprise? In some ways, yes. While Giamatti is a highly regarded actor, the movie he won for has not been widely seen yet. The movie tells the story of the politically incorrect but fully lived life of the "irascible and fearlessly blunt" Barney Panofsky.

Competing alongside Giamatti were Johnny Depp, who was nominated for "Alice In Wonderland" and "The Tourist;" Jake Gyllenhaal for "Love And Other Drugs;" and Kevin Spacey for "Casino Jack."

Now everybody loves Johnny Depp, but his nominations are more a result of how much the Hollywood Foreign Press loves the guy (both movies were badly reviewed anyway). Jake Gyllenhaal was excellent in "Love And Other Drugs," but he didn't stand much of a chance between these acting stalwarts. Giamatti's closest rival was Kevin Spacey, whose performance in "Casino Jack" is said to be his best in years.

In his speech, Paul thanked the city of Montreal, which he praised as "an incredible beautiful city that I dream about" and acknowledged "the great nation of Canada." He also couldn't help but remark:

"Jesus Christ, Halle Berry!"

Giamatti also thanked his fellow nominees, whom he called "my superiors in every regard, as men and as actors." It was also a kick to hear him say that he gleefully "got to smoke and drink in this movie and got paid for it." Paul ended by thanking producer Robert Lantos, director Richard J. Lewis, and Mordecai Richler, who wrote the novel "Barney's Version" was based on.

Paul Giamatti's win at the 2011 Golden Globe Awards was one of the evening's big surprises, but his talent as an actor can never be ignored.