At London’s Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall, Jeff Goldblum delivered a heartfelt performance during the BAFTA Film Awards In Memoriam segment on Sunday night. The actor and accomplished jazz pianist, known for his role in the BAFTA-nominated film “Wicked,” played “As Time Goes By” as a tribute to industry figures who passed away over the past year.
Goldblum’s rendition of the classic, composed by Herman Hupfeld in 1931 and popularized by the film “Casablanca,” accompanied a montage of images honoring renowned filmmakers and actors. The tribute reel featured names such as David Lynch, Maggie Smith, Donald Sutherland, James Earl Jones, Joan Plowright, Gena Rowlands, Kris Kristofferson, and Shelley Duvall, ensuring that the contributions of these beloved talents were remembered with reverence.
BAFTA organizers expressed their anticipation of a moving segment, noting that Goldblum’s performance would add a personal touch to the remembrance of film legends. The actor, who has built a reputation as both an engaging performer and a dedicated jazz musician with three albums to his credit, has also been in the spotlight recently for a surprise piano set at London’s St. Pancras International train station, an event that celebrated the release of “Wicked” alongside a themed Christmas tree.
The evening’s program was hosted once again by David Tennant, whose presence helped set a reflective yet celebratory tone for the ceremony. Earlier in the night, musical performances from Take That and announcements recognizing top films such as “Conclave,” “Emilia Pérez,” and “The Brutalist” further contributed to an event that honored both cinematic achievements and the enduring legacy of those lost.
