Rose Byrne’s first Golden Globe crowns a banner year

TL;DR:

Rose Byrne won Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical on 2026-01-11.
The award is for A24’s ‘If I Had Legs I’d Kick You,’ directed by Mary Bronstein.
She thanked “husband” Bobby Cannavale, who missed the show for a reptile expo.
The category included Emma Stone and Cynthia Erivo.
Expect more awards heat as critics keep backing Byrne.

What happened

On 2026-01-11 in Los Angeles, Rose Byrne won the Golden Globe for Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Motion Picture, Comedy or Musical, for A24’s If I Had Legs I’d Kick You. Variety reported the win during the telecast and noted it as Byrne’s first Globe.

In a warm and funny speech, Byrne thanked writer-director Mary Bronstein, the producers at A24, her family, and fans. People detailed the speech and confirmed the category and venue.

The film and the role

If I Had Legs I’d Kick You is a psychological comedy-drama about Linda, a psychotherapist pushed to the edge while caring for her sick daughter, coping with a crumbling home, and navigating fraught relationships. The film premiered at Sundance on 2025-01-24 and released via A24 on 2025-10-10. A24’s synopsis and the Berlinale program outline Linda’s mounting crises and the film’s mix of humor and dread.

Byrne’s performance has been a steady critics’ favorite since the festival run, with multiple year-end wins and nominations that built momentum into awards season. The Wikipedia film entry, which compiles festival and release data, aligns with A24 and Berlinale details.

The speech everyone is talking about

One moment from the speech went viral. Byrne thanked her “husband” Bobby Cannavale, then explained why he was not at the Globes. He was at a reptile expo in New Jersey to pick up a bearded dragon for their family. Entertainment Weekly and People both covered the anecdote, which drew laughs in the room and online.

Byrne also brought her brother as her date and shouted out family in Sydney, keeping the tone touching and light. Elle’s recap highlighted the blend of humor and heart.

The field she beat

The category was crowded with A-list contenders. People listed fellow nominees including Cynthia Erivo for Wicked: For Good, Kate Hudson for Song Sung Blue, Chase Infiniti for One Battle After Another, Amanda Seyfried for The Testament of Ann Lee, and Emma Stone for Bugonia. Variety likewise framed Byrne’s win as a standout in a busy year for musical and comedy performances.

Australian outlets tracked the result in real time, underscoring Byrne’s status as a home-country favorite. ABC’s live blog captured the win as it happened.

Style note from the carpet

Byrne leaned into Old Hollywood styling at the Beverly Hilton. Vogue detailed the custom emerald Chanel look and the classic glam created by her team. It served as a confident visual coda to a career-best season.

What happens next

Awards watchers will look for follow-through at upcoming ceremonies. Byrne is in the mix across critics’ groups and major shows, and If I Had Legs I’d Kick You continues to gather attention in the late-season window. The Golden Globes site records the official win, which helps shape ballots and press coverage over the next few weeks.

Beyond film, Byrne’s TV profile stays high with Apple TV+’s Platonic. While not part of the Globes slate this year, ongoing interest in the series and her long-running collaboration with Seth Rogen keeps her calendar public-facing. Coverage through 2025 pointed to a strong second-season reception.

Quick guide

Key fact	Detail
Award	Golden Globe, Best Actress, Comedy or Musical
Winner	Rose Byrne
Film	If I Had Legs I’d Kick You
Director	Mary Bronstein
Distributor	A24
Ceremony date	2026-01-11
Venue	The Beverly Hilton, Los Angeles

Sources for the above include the Golden Globes site, Variety, People, and ABC.

Why it matters

For fans, this confirms Byrne’s pivot from comedic scene-stealer to awards-season closer. For the industry, it signals that mid-budget, director-driven stories led by women can still break through. For A24 and Bronstein, the win boosts the film’s post-theatrical life and discovery.