Reese Witherspoon showcased her comedic talents and deep friendship with Nicole Kidman by delivering a flawless impersonation of the Australian actress at the 49th AFI Life Achievement Award ceremony. The event, which aired on TNT, honored Kidman for her significant contributions to film and television.
During her speech, Witherspoon humorously highlighted Kidman’s proactive approach to her career. “Most actors wait by a phone to be chosen by a director,” Witherspoon remarked. “But as an actor, Nicole has always been proactive. Even in her earliest work, she picks her directors.”
Witherspoon then entertained the audience by recounting a typical experience of watching a foreign film with Kidman. She switched from her southern U.S. accent to a spot-on Australian accent, mimicking Kidman’s enthusiasm for directors. “And she’s like, ‘But do you see that director?’” Witherspoon said, drawing laughter from the crowd, including Kidman herself. “‘I mean, it’s incredible. Reese, we must get her. We must!'”
The AFI tribute, held on April 27 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, celebrated Kidman’s impact on American culture through her work in film and television. This event marked the first time an Australian actress received the honor and only the third time a non-American actress was recognized, following Elizabeth Taylor and Julie Andrews.
The AFI Life Achievement Award, first presented in 1973, has honored many legendary figures in the entertainment industry, including Orson Welles, Bette Davis, Alfred Hitchcock, Gene Kelly, Sidney Poitier, Steven Spielberg, Meryl Streep, and Denzel Washington.
Kidman and Witherspoon’s friendship blossomed when they co-starred in HBO’s series adaptation of Liane Moriarty’s novel “Big Little Lies” in 2017. Both actresses also served as executive producers for the show. Their bond has only grown stronger over the years, with Kidman recently telling Vanity Fair that they are “moving fast and furious” with a long-awaited third season of the series, as Moriarty is currently working on the book.
In their conversation, Kidman and Witherspoon reflected on their enduring friendship and professional relationship. “Our paths consistently cross, and that’s one of the things I love about us,” Kidman said. “We started working together and we went, ‘Okay, from this point on, it’s a lifetime.’ We’ll be playing bridge and I’ll be older than you, but we’ll be sitting there. I’ll be like, ‘Can you get me the cover?'”
Witherspoon added that they often joke about being “old ladies on a porch singing” Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams,” even though they both admitted they “still don’t know all the words.”
The 49th AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Nicole Kidman aired on June 17 at 10pm ET/PT on TNT, allowing fans to witness Witherspoon’s hilarious impersonation and the heartfelt celebration of Kidman’s illustrious career.
TNT shared a video of Witherspoon’s speech on social media, where fans praised her impression. “OK Reese, this is scary good,” one user commented. Another added, “Wth this is such a good Nicole impression.”
The event featured several notable presenters, including Meryl Streep, Morgan Freeman, and Naomi Watts, who honored Kidman for her remarkable career. Streep, who also starred alongside Kidman in “Big Little Lies,” presented the actual life achievement award.
Bob Gazzale, AFI President & CEO, praised Kidman in a statement, saying, “Nicole Kidman embodies the glamour and romance of Hollywood past – a true screen icon – but she is also a risk taker – and so each performance is something new and something profound. And like all truly great artists – Nicole not only gives back – she drives culture forward with her commitment to amplifying the voices of female directors and producers.”
The AFI Life Achievement Award, established by the AFI Board of Trustees in 1973, is presented to a single honoree each year based on their talent and contributions to the film art. The recipient’s accomplishments must be acknowledged by scholars, critics, professional peers, and the general public, and their work must have stood the test of time.
The gala also featured the presentation of the Franklin J. Schaffner Alumni Medal to Matthew Libatique, ASC, LPS, a distinguished AFI alumnus. Past recipients of this medal include Darren Aronofsky, Lesli Linka Glatter, Siân Heder, Patty Jenkins, Janusz Kamiński, Mimi Leder, David Lynch, Terrence Malick, Melina Matsoukas, and Rachel Morrison.
The star-studded event saw numerous celebrities walking the red carpet, including Kidman and her husband Keith Urban, Reese Witherspoon, Ava DuVernay, and many others. The celebration of Kidman’s career and Witherspoon’s entertaining impersonation made the 49th AFI Life Achievement Award a memorable night in Hollywood.
