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Cate Blanchett Dedicates BAFTA Award to “Monumental Talent” Philip Seymour Hoffman

Cate Blanchett
Cate Blanchett dedicated her Best Actress BAFTA to "the late, great Philip Seymour Hoffman" on Feb. 16

Philip Seymour Hoffman may be gone, but he's still very much in the hearts and minds of his fellow actors. Cate Blanchett proved as much at the BAFTA Awards in London on Sunday, Feb. 16, when she won the Best Actress honor and then used her acceptance speech to dedicate the accolade to her late pal, who died on Feb. 2 at age 46.

Related: PHOTOS: Philip Seymour Hoffman's greatest roles

"I would like to dedicate this to an actor who has been a continual, profound touchstone for me, a monumental presence who is now so sadly in absence: the late, great Philip Seymour Hoffman," the Blue Jasmine star, 44, began her speech. (Blanchett and Hoffman appeared together in 1999's The Talented Mr. Ripley.)

Related: PHOTOS: Stars gone too soon

"Phil, your monumental talent, your unflinching quest for truth both in art and in life will be missed by so many people," she added. "You raised the bar continually. Phil, buddy, this is for you, you bastard. Hope you're proud."

Related: PHOTOS: Celebs we lost last year

Later, in the press room, she was asked to talk more about her bond with the Oscar-winning Capote star. "I don't think I'm alone in the room having been profoundly influenced by Phil and his body of work, but also who by he was as a person," she said, clutching her Best Actress award to her chest. "He was the most extraordinary friend to so many people." 

She continued: "His influence, I think…I mean, time will tell just how deep it was. If I could be half the actor he was in his unfortunately short life, I'll be very happy."

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