temple grandin

On Sunday, the biopic, which had to overcome what was widely perceived in the industry as challenging subject matter to make its way to the screen, claimed five Emmy prizes, including outstanding made for TV movie.

Attired in red and black rodeo gear, Grandin herself became a palpable presence at the ceremony, at one point, rising and excitedly swinging her hand lasso style from the audience. And while standing on stage after the movie had won its top award, she warmly embraced a sobbing executive producer Emily Gerson Saines, who said she found inspiration in Grandin’s life story as her own child had been diagnosed with autism.
Temple Grandin herself was on hand, along with her mother, to witness the near sweep for her namesake HBO movie that won top made-for-TV movie along with winning for Claire Danes’ lead performance, for directing, and for the supporting performances of Julia Ormand and David Strathairn. Winner Danes met the media backstage and said, “We worked very hard to tell a coherent, cogent story that charted Temple’s trajectory and growth…It was so special that her mother and she were here tonight.” She also admitted that she’s never had a greater challenge as an actress. “I;ve never worked harder on a performance, which was just epic in its scope. And I;ve never been ore inspired by a character I’ve played. I was deeply moved by Temple’s courage and resourcefulness, and the way she was such a pioneer in animal rights and animal science. She encouraged incredibly positive change in the world. I don’t expect to have anoither opportunity to play a character lke this anytime soon.”