'Betty,' 'Borat' Yield Golden Globe Surprises

Jan. 17, 2006 — -- By giving separate awards for comedy and drama in major categories, the Golden Globes is usually short on surprises, and long on acceptance speeches.

This year, though, it was a little bit different.

From victorious newcomers like Jennifer Hudson of "Dreamgirls" and America Ferrara of "Ugly Betty," to established veterans honored for the first time, like Eddie Murphy, this year's Globes became a milestone evening for many celebrities.

"If I have on an inch of makeup, I can do anything," said the 45-year-old Murphy, who won best supporting actor in the drama category for his work in "Dreamgirls."

Murphy has certainly starred in his share of blockbusters, but "48 Hours" and "Beverly Hills Cop" aren't the sort of films that garner award-show attention, at least for actors.

The actor beat out Jack Nicholson ("The Departed"), Brad Pitt ("Babel"), Mark Wahlberg ("The Departed"), and Ben Affleck ("Hollywoodland"), and could now be considered a front-runner for supporting actor honors when Academy Award nominations come out next week.

It was no surprise that "Dreamgirls" won as best picture in the comedy/musical category, but Hudson's victory as best supporting actress heralds her arrival as a major star.

A year ago, Hudson was best known as an "American Idol" loser, and was working on a show on a Disney cruise ship.

"You do not know how much this does for my confidence. Because of this, it makes me feel like I'm part of a community, and it makes me feel like I'm an actress," Hudson said from the podium.

While Sacha Baron Cohen's recent success has launched him into the upper echelons of celebrity, who would have thought a year ago that the British comic would ride his "Borat" character to a Golden Globe victory with a best actor in a musical or comedy award.

"Thank you to every American who has not sued me so far," said Cohen, taking a not-so-subtle jab at the many lawsuits that have been leveled against him by people whom he made fun of in his $127 million blockbuster film