American actor Matt Damon has been honored with the Stanley Kubrick Award for Excellence at the 2017 BAFTA Britania Awards on Oct. 27, Friday. However, the actor was not able to make an appearance due to a "family emergency," which led to American actress Kate Mara accepting Damon's award on his behalf.
In a report by The New York Daily News, Damon had to make haste to Boston. His father, Kent Damon, had fallen severely ill, which is the cause of Damon not showing up for the prestigious awards ceremony. This, however, was not expounded on in the courtesy video that Damon had submitted to the event, wherein he apologized that he could not make a physical appearance to receive the award.
According to The Daily Mail, not many people know the details behind Damon's father's health. In fact, only close friends and relatives probably have some knowledge as to what is going on. This must have saddened people involved in the BAFTA Awards, since Damon was someone they were excited to see.
In the acceptance speech by Mara, she stated that "Matt has urgently needed to travel back to Boston and is unable to join us tonight. And as much as we wish he was here, he has a family emergency." Mara wished Damon and his family well, and reminded everyone in the event that there is nothing more important than family.
In the video that Damon delivered to the BAFTA committee, he did not forget to let them know just how grateful he was to be given the award. Damon felt deeply honored, and even revealed that he had known that he was going to receive the award for about six months before the event itself. Damon further elaborated that he was excited to participate in the event to receive the award himself.
