Stephen Vaughan / DC ComicsWhile earning a Golden Globe nomination would ordinarily put a recipient in an ecstatic mood, for the family of posthumous nominee Heath Ledger, the accolade is understandably bittersweet.
"We thank the Hollywood Foreign Press Association for honoring Heath's performance in The Dark Knight," Ledger's father, Kim, said of his son's Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture nod.
"This nomination is deeply appreciated and is not lost on those of us who continue to love and miss him. We are so proud our boy's work is being recognized in this way."
Meanwhile, nominees from Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie to Leonardo DiCaprio and Miley Cyrus offered their gratitude...
Pitt, nominated for his age-defying role in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, simply said he was "pleased to be nominated for this award. We're all very proud of the film and thankful to the Hollywood Foreign Press for recognizing our work."
Jolie, meanwhile, felt "honored to be nominated by the Hollywood Foreign Press in a category with so many extraordinary women."
The Changeling star also gave a shout-out to her director: "What an amazing experience, having the opportunity to work with Clint Eastwood on a film I care so deeply about."
DiCaprio, up for Revolutionary Road, offered his "sincere" thanks. "Congratulations to [costar] Kate Winslet and [director] Sam Mendes on their nominations, as well as the entire cast and crew, who put their heart and soul into this film. They all deserve an equal amount of recognition for its success."
Winslet, a double nominee for Best Actress (Revolutionary Road) and Supporting Actress (The Reader), said playing "two strong and complex characters was a true gift. To be recognized by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association for both performances is a genuine honor and I am incredibly grateful.”
"I couldn't be more thankful," echoed perpetual Entourage nominee Jeremy Piven. "Times are incredibly tough and to have a job like this is wonderful."
Miley Cyrus also gave thanks for her first Globe nomination, a Best Song nod for Bolt's "I Thought I Lost You."
"I am so honored to be nominated for a Golden Globe and to be in the company of such accomplished musicians and artists," she said. "'I Thought I Lost You' is such a special song for me. It is about true friendship and came straight from my heart...I feel so blessed."
Alec Baldwin, nominated once again for 30 Rock, kept things more succinct: "I am thrilled and indebted to the Hollywood Foreign Press Association," he said.
Also quick to give thanks—and props—on the television side was Mad Men main man Jon Hamm, who scored a Best Actor in a TV Drama nod and whose small-screen leading lady, January Jones, scored her first nomination in the lead actress category. The basic cable show that could was also nominated as Best Drama.
"I am humbled and flattered to be named among the company of excellent actors for this year's nomination," Hamm said. "Additionally, I am incredibly proud that the hard work of all of our cast and writing and production staff and crew was recognized in the show's nomination.
"Lastly, I am thrilled that my costar January Jones' work was recognized this year. To be recognized and validated among the community is an honor indeed. Many, many thanks to the HFPA!"
The Tudors star Jonathan Rhys Meyers, up for Best Actor, said he was "thrilled and humbled to be nominated among all of these amazing actors."
"Henry is such a great character to play and I am so happy that people watch and enjoy the show."
Javier Bardem, up for his role in Vicky Cristina Barcelona, credited writer-director Woody Allen with his nod.
"I am...truly thankful to Mr. Allen for allowing me the amazing experience of working with him and such an outstanding cast."
Colin Farrell also scored a nomination for the months-old In Bruges, which surprised no one more than Farrell himself.
"I've gotten worse calls in the wee hours of the morning. A lovely surprise at 5:45 a.m. An unexpected guest, yet a welcome one," he said. "I'm really...just so pleasantly surprised that the Hollywood Foreign Press carried it with them from March to now.
"Be nice for it to get a second inning, for some people maybe to find it for the first time."
As for the fairer newly minted Golden Globe nominees, the ladies were just as effusive and inclusive with their thanks.
Critical darling Emma Thompson, who scored a Best Actress in a Comedy nomination for her role opposite Dustin Hoffman in Last Chance Harvey, was overwhelmed by the recognition.
"Dustin and I had the best time making this film," she said. "It seems insane to get an award nomination on top of that, but I'm thrilled."
Added Hoffman: "It is so exciting to be nominated, but working with Emma was reward enough. Don’t get me wrong, I still want to win!"
Best Supporting Actress nominee Amy Adams credited not only her costars but the writer for her nomination.
"I am so honored to be nominated by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association for Doubt along with John Patrick Shanley, Meryl Streep, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Viola Davis," she said. "Helping to bring John's Pulitzer Prize-winning play to the screen was one of the most rewarding experiences of my career."
Brothers & Sisters Best Supporting Actress nominee Rachel Griffiths also shared her nomination with her cast, and offered a public congrats to costar Sally Field, who scored a Best Actress nod for her work.
"When I got a phone call early this morning, my heart dropped because I thought my nanny was calling in sick!!! I am so thrilled! It is a joy to go to work every day, and this is the icing on the cake. Congratulations to Sally!"
Marisa Tomei, who is up for Best Supporting Actress for her work alongside Mickey Rourke, a Best Actor nominee, for the big-screen drama The Wrestler, also called out her costar.
"I am absolutely thrilled and cannot be happier that The Wrestler has been given so much attention. It is such an honor for the HFPA to have recognized my work and Mickey's in this beautiful film."
Comeback kid Rourke seemed to have similar sentiments.
"I am truly honored the Hollywood Foreign Press Association has recognized my work in The Wrestler. It was a very special role for me, so I am particularly grateful and thrilled."
As for Paul Giamatti, another actor who should probably be used to such critical attention by now, was enthusiastic anew over his nod for Best Actor in a Miniseries for John Adams.
"It is a hugely gratifying honor to be recognized by the Hollywood Foreign Press. I am also really happy the miniseries continues to generate so much enthusiasm. It was a great experience to be a part of."
Directors and producers also wasted no time in heaping praise on the teams that contributed to their nominations.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button's David Fincher said he was "indebted to the entire cast and crew," and gave "a special thanks to the people of New Orleans for embracing the production and giving us so much support and inspiration."
Sam Mendes, nominated for Revolutionary Road, said he was "delighted and honored" that the film was recognized "in such a generous way. This was a labor of love for all of us and to see it being received in such a positive way is very gratifying."
Meanwhile, Eric Fellner, one of the producers on Frost/Nixon, one of the nomination leaders, congratulated his team but also called out the apparent snub of Michael Sheen, who plays Frost to nominee Frank Langella's Nixon (the grateful Langella said his "collaboration with Ron Howard and Brian Grazer was one of the best experiences of my career").
"He's a key component of the piece, so it's a real shame he wasn't able to get a nomination," Fellner told BBC News. "But I hope he realizes and feels that any success the movie has is his as well."
In other words, it's an honor not to be nominated.
(Originally published Dec. 11, 2008 at 9:25 a.m. PT.)