michelle williams golden globes 2012 acceptance speechTo many of us, Michelle Williams is still Jen Lindley, the girl from New York who showed up in the Creek and rocked Dawson's world. In fact, seeing her sitting next to former Creek co-star and friend Busy Phillips at the 69th annual Golden Globe Awards tonight only served to reinforce that memory. But then, the ingenue-turned-acclaimed performer won Best Actress in a Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy) for My Week With Marilyn, beating the likes of Kate Winslet and Charlize Theron. Aaaand ... we're catapulted back to 2012! Williams is very much playing in a whole different league now.

Nonetheless, she's just as down-to-earth and real as a dear old friend ... at least judging from her beautiful acceptance speech that should go down in Globes history as one of the most heartwarming ever. Turns out, as honored as Michelle was to portray Marilyn Monroe, the role Michelle most cherishes is that of a mom.

As you might recall, Michelle's mom to 6-year-old Matilda Ledger, her daughter with late ex, Heath Ledger. When she took the stage, Michelle explained just what her little girl means to her ...

I consider myself a mother first and an actress second, and so the person I most want to thank is my daughter, my little girl, whose bravery and exuberance is the example that I take with me in my work and in my life. I want to say thank you for sending me off to this job every day with a hug and a kiss. I couldn't have done it any other way. It made me so excited to come home at night. And for suffering for six months of bedtime stories, where all the princesses were read aloud in a Marilyn Monroe-sounding voice.

So so sweet. Sure, you hear celebs thank their family, partners, and yes, occasionally, their children -- it seems like a common theme to tell them to go to bed if they're up late watching Mommy or Daddy on an awards show -- but I can't remember the last time I heard an actress or actor give their kiddo credit like this! And yet, it seemed to come so naturally for Michelle. It's obvious that she and Matilda are a close mother-daughter duo, and that motherhood means so much to her.

Michelle accomplished more than just giving an acceptance speech when she expressed her appreciation for and adoration of her daughter. She also sent an awesome message -- to her Hollywood peers and the rest of America: That movies may be groundbreaking, heartbreaking, important. They may make lots of money and win awards, but they'll still come in second to who you play and the people you love off-screen.

Here's the heartfelt speech if you missed it ...

 

What do you think about Michelle Williams' acceptance speech? Do you think she set a great example for moms in Hollywood?

 

Image via Paul Drinkwater/NBC via Getty Images