Jeff Goldblum brought his special touch to the BAFTA Film Awards ceremony’s In Memoriam segment in London on Sunday, performing “As Time Goes By” on the piano while the names and faces of beloved industry figures who died over the past year were shown on a screen. The actor, who played The Wizard of Oz in the BAFTA-nominated Jon M. Chu-directed blockbuster Wicked, which stars Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande and Michelle Yeoh, added to the star power of the event held at the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall in the British capital.
The jazz song was written by Herman Hupfeld in 1931. It became famous after it was featured in the 1942 film classic Casablanca, performed by Sam, played by Dooley Wilson.
“Goldblum’s soulful style will provide a moving and personal tribute,” BAFTA organizers had said when they unveiled his on-stage appearance during the biggest night in British film. “When not acting, Jeff Goldblum has a dedicated following of his jazz band, the Mildred Snitzer Orchestra.” The band’s upcoming album “Still Blooming” is scheduled to be released on April 25.
In November, the Jurassic Park alum surprised people at London’s St. Pancras International train station, which had unveiled a Wicked-themed Christmas tree in partnership with Universal Pictures, with a piano performance to celebrate the movie’s release.
For the second year in a row, Scottish star David Tennant (Doctor Who, Inside Man) welcomed a buzzing crowd to the BAFTA Film Awards as host of the ceremony.
The Edward Berger-directed Vatican drama Conclave, starring Ralph Fiennes and Stanley Tucci and based on the novel by Robert Harris, led this year’s BAFTA nominations with 12, ahead of the Jacques Audiard-directed Emilia Pérez‘s 11, and the Brady Corbet-directed The Brutalist‘s nine. With his Irish hip-hop biopic on Belfast-based rap trio Kneecap, Rich Peppiatt also made BAFTA history by tying the record for nominations for a debut filmmaker with six.
Earlier in the ceremony, Take That took to the BAFTA Awards stage to entertain the crowd with a rendition of their hit song “Greatest Day,” which features in Sean Baker‘s awards season darling Anora.