Viola Davis delivered a poignant speech as she collected the award for Best Supporting Actress at Sunday (12 February) night’s Bafta Awards.
The actress, who received the award for her role in ‘Fences’, drew an emotional response from the audience and viewers at home as she spoke about the importance of telling the stories of African American people.
As well honouring ‘Fences’ writer August Wilson, Viola also paid tribute to her late father, claiming working on the film had helped her to gain perspective on his death.
Mike Marsland via Getty Images
“You know, my father groomed horses at the racetrack and he had a fifth grade education, and he was a janitor towards the end of his life, when he died of cancer at a McDonald’s,” she said.
“And the reason why I say that is when he took his last breath, one of the most devastating things that went through my mind is: ‘did his life matter?’
“August answers that question so brilliantly, because what he did is he said that our lives mattered as African Americans.
“The horse groomer, the sanitation worker, the people who grew up under the heavy boot of Jim Crow, the people who did not make it into history books, but they have a story; and those stories deserve to be told, because they lived.”
Watch her speech in full in the video below...
Speaking to reporters in a winner’s press conference following her triumph, Viola added: “I think that often with African Americans, if you didn’t make it into a history book, if you’re not a walking social statement, than the story is not worthy to be told.
“And there are times I want to tell people the fact that I am just a living, breathing person. I’m a woman. I’m sexual, I’m joyful, I’m funny, I’m tragic, I’m all of those things.
“And that in itself should be worthy.”
Viola beat Nicole Kidman, Michelle Williams, Naomie Harris and Haley Squires to win the Best Supporting Actress gong.
‘La La Land’ was the biggest winner of the night with a number of gong, including Best Film.
Baftas 2017 Red Carpet
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 12: (L-R) Amanda Berry, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge attend the 70th EE British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) at Royal Albert Hall on February 12, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images) (credit:Gareth Cattermole via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 12: Actress Emma Stone attends the 70th EE British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) at Royal Albert Hall on February 12, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images) (credit:Chris Jackson via Getty Images)
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Eddie Redmayne and Hannah Bagshawe attending the EE British Academy Film Awards held at the Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, Kensington, London. (credit:Ian West/PA Wire)
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Australian actress Nicole Kidman poses upon arrival at the BAFTA British Academy Film Awards at the Royal Albert Hall in London on February 12, 2017. / AFP / Justin TALLIS (Photo credit should read JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:JUSTIN TALLIS via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 12: Naomie Harris attends the 70th EE British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) at Royal Albert Hall on February 12, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/Mike Marsland/WireImage) (credit:Mike Marsland via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 12: Andrew Garfield attends the 70th EE British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) at Royal Albert Hall on February 12, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 12: Meryl Streep attends the 70th EE British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) at Royal Albert Hall on February 12, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/Mike Marsland/WireImage) (credit:Mike Marsland via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 12: Host Stephen Fry attends the 70th EE British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) at Royal Albert Hall on February 12, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 12: Felicity Jones attends the 70th EE British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) at Royal Albert Hall on February 12, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
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Daisy Ridley attending the EE British Academy Film Awards held at the Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, Kensington, London. (credit:Ian West/PA Wire)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 12: Emily Blunt attends the 70th EE British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) at Royal Albert Hall on February 12, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/Mike Marsland/WireImage) (credit:Mike Marsland via Getty Images)
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Actress Viola Davis poses for photographers upon arrival at the British Academy Film Awards in London, Sunday, Feb. 12, 2017. (Photo by Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP) (credit:Vianney Le Caer/AP)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 12: Casey Affleck attends the 70th EE British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) at Royal Albert Hall on February 12, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images) (credit:Chris Jackson via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 12: Sam Taylor-Johnson (L) and Aaron Taylor-Johnson attend the 70th EE British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) at Royal Albert Hall on February 12, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images) (credit:Chris Jackson via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 12: J. K. Rowling and Neil Murray attend the 70th EE British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) at Royal Albert Hall on February 12, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images) (credit:Chris Jackson via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 12: Amelia Warner and Jamie Dornan attend the 70th EE British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) at Royal Albert Hall on February 12, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images) (credit:Chris Jackson via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 12: Amy Adams attends the 70th EE British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) at Royal Albert Hall on February 12, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Dave J Hogan/Getty Images) (credit:Dave J Hogan via Getty Images)
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Luke Evans attending the EE British Academy Film Awards held at the Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, Kensington, London. (credit:Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire)
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Tom Ford attending the EE British Academy Film Awards held at the Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, Kensington, London. (credit:Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire)
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Zoe Ball attending the EE British Academy Film Awards held at the Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, Kensington, London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Sunday 12 February 2017. See PA Story SHOWBIZ Bafta. Photo credit should read: Ian West/PA Wire (credit:Ian West/PA Wire)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 12: Actress Penelope Cruz attends the 70th EE British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) at Royal Albert Hall on February 12, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images) (credit:Chris Jackson via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 12: Thandie Newton attends the 70th EE British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) at Royal Albert Hall on February 12, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Dave J Hogan/Getty Images) (credit:Dave J Hogan via Getty Images)
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Sophie Turner attending the EE British Academy Film Awards held at the Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, Kensington, London. (credit:Ian West/PA Wire)
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Laura Whitmore attending the EE British Academy Film Awards held at the Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, Kensington, London. Picture date: Sunday February 12, 2017. Photo credit should read: Doug Peters/ EMPICS Entertainment (credit:Doug Peters/Doug Peters)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 12: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, attend the 70th EE British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) at Royal Albert Hall on February 12, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
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Cirque du Soleil performing on the red carpet at the EE British Academy Film Awards held at the Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, Kensington, London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Sunday 12 February 2017. See PA Story SHOWBIZ Bafta. Photo credit should read: Ian West/PA Wire (credit:Ian West/PA Wire)
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Hannah Bagshawe and Eddie Redmayne attending the EE British Academy Film Awards held at the Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, Kensington, London. Picture date: Sunday February 12, 2017. Photo credit should read: Doug Peters/ EMPICS Entertainment (credit:Doug Peters/Doug Peters)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 12: Luke Evans arrives in an Audi at the EE BAFTA Film Awards at the at Royal Albert Hall on February 12, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/ Getty Images for Audi UK) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 12: Emma Stone attends the 70th EE British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) at Royal Albert Hall on February 12, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
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Amy Adams attending the EE British Academy Film Awards held at the Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, Kensington, London. (credit:Ian West/PA Wire)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 12: Eddie Redmayne arrives in an Audi at the EE BAFTA Film Awards at the at Royal Albert Hall on February 12, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/ Getty Images for Audi UK) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
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Edith Bowman attending the EE British Academy Film Awards held at the Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, Kensington, London. Picture date: Sunday February 12, 2017. Photo credit should read: Doug Peters/ EMPICS Entertainment (credit:Doug Peters/Doug Peters)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 12: Emily Blunt and John Krasinski attend the 70th EE British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) at Royal Albert Hall on February 12, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Dave J Hogan/Getty Images) (credit:Dave J Hogan via Getty Images)
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Heloise Letissier aka Christine and the Queens attending the EE British Academy Film Awards held at the Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, Kensington, London. Picture date: Sunday February 12, 2017. Photo credit should read: Doug Peters/ EMPICS Entertainment (credit:Doug Peters/Doug Peters)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 12: Noel Clarke (R) and Iris Da-Silva attend the 70th EE British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) at Royal Albert Hall on February 12, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images) (credit:Chris Jackson via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 12: Jamie Dornan attends the 70th EE British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) at Royal Albert Hall on February 12, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Dave J Hogan/Getty Images) (credit:Dave J Hogan via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 12: Arinze Kene attends the 70th EE British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) at Royal Albert Hall on February 12, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 12: Laila Costa attends the 70th EE British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) at Royal Albert Hall on February 12, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images) (credit:Chris Jackson via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 12: Caitriona Balfe attends the 70th EE British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) at Royal Albert Hall on February 12, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images) (credit:Chris Jackson via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 12: Valentino attends the 70th EE British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) at Royal Albert Hall on February 12, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images) (credit:Chris Jackson via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 12: Sophie Turner attends the 70th EE British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) at Royal Albert Hall on February 12, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images) (credit:Chris Jackson via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 12: Nicole Kidman attends the 70th EE British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) at Royal Albert Hall on February 12, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
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Dustin O'Halloran (left) and Hauschka attending the EE British Academy Film Awards held at the Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, Kensington, London. (credit:Ian West/PA Wire)
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Jessica Brown Findlay attending the EE British Academy Film Awards held at the Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, Kensington, London. Picture date: Sunday February 12, 2017. Photo credit should read: Doug Peters/ EMPICS Entertainment (credit:Doug Peters/Doug Peters)
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Ava West attending the EE British Academy Film Awards held at the Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, Kensington, London. Picture date: Sunday February 12, 2017. Photo credit should read: Doug Peters/ EMPICS Entertainment (credit:Doug Peters/Doug Peters)
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Actress Carmen Ejogo poses for photographers upon arrival at the British Academy Film Awards in London, Sunday, Feb. 12, 2017. (Photo by Joel Ryan/Invision/AP) (credit:Joel Ryan/AP)
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Rupert Evans (R) and guest attending the EE British Academy Film Awards held at the Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, Kensington, London. Picture date: Sunday February 12, 2017. Photo credit should read: Doug Peters/ EMPICS Entertainment (credit:Doug Peters/Doug Peters)
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Bryce Dallas Howard and Ron Howard attending the EE British Academy Film Awards held at the Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, Kensington, London. (credit:Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire)
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Ewen Bremner attending the EE British Academy Film Awards held at the Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, Kensington, London. (credit:Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire)
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Elize du Toit and Rafe Spall attending the EE British Academy Film Awards held at the Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, Kensington, London. (credit:Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire)
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Kelly Macdonald attending the EE British Academy Film Awards held at the Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, Kensington, London. (credit:Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire)
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Preston J.Cook and Julia Stiles attending the EE British Academy Film Awards held at the Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, Kensington, London. Picture date: Sunday February 12, 2017. Photo credit should read: Doug Peters/ EMPICS Entertainment (credit:Doug Peters/Doug Peters)
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Mel Brooks attending the EE British Academy Film Awards held at the Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, Kensington, London. (credit:Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 12: Dev Patel attends the 70th EE British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) at Royal Albert Hall on February 12, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 12: Sofia Boutella attends the 70th EE British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) at Royal Albert Hall on February 12, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 12: Ed Skrein attends the 70th EE British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) at Royal Albert Hall on February 12, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 12: Millie Mackintosh attends the 70th EE British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) at Royal Albert Hall on February 12, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 12: Tom Holland attends the 70th EE British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) at Royal Albert Hall on February 12, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images) (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
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Michelle Williams attending the EE British Academy Film Awards held at the Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, Kensington, London. Picture date: Sunday February 12, 2017. Photo credit should read: Doug Peters/ EMPICS Entertainment (credit:Doug Peters/Doug Peters)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 12: Hugh Grant and Anna Elisabet Eberstein attend the 70th EE British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) at Royal Albert Hall on February 12, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images) (credit:Chris Jackson via Getty Images)