Michelle Williams Named First Honorary Irishwoman—Say What?!

Actress is, once again, acknowledged for her work in My Week With Marilyn

By Peter Gicas Feb 24, 2012 6:55 PMTags
Michelle WilliamsAlberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

It's quite a week for My Week With Marilyn star Michelle Williams.

The actress, who will be vying for an Academy Award on Sunday, became the first honorary Irishwoman at the annual Oscar Wilde: Honoring the Irish in Film event on Thursday. The ceremony was hosted by the U.S.-Ireland Alliance and was held on the roof of J.J. Abrams' production offices in Santa Monica.

"I consider it [the award] is from a land from a people who are known for poetry, for literature and lore, for myth and legend," Williams said during her acceptance speech to a crowd that included Steven Spielberg, Colin Farrell and her Marilyn costar Kenneth Branagh. "Being in a business that is about storytelling, I'm honored to be acknowledged by the original storytellers."

Hugo screenwriter John Logan presented Williams with the prize, telling BBC News, that she was worthy of such an honor because being Irish means "an incandescent twinkle in the eye, the love of mad poetry and more than anything a generosity of spirit."

Previous honorees who, like Williams, have no Irish connections include Paul Rudd and James L. Brooks.