The question as to why Jodie Foster was honoured with the esteemed Golden Globe 'Cecil B DeMille Award' is a far easier one to answer than why it has taken so long for her to be recognised for her talents and "outstanding contributions to the world of entertainment". With starring roles in some of the late 20th century's most iconic movies, she has been at the cornerstone of the American film industry for almost 40 years. Her acceptance speech at the ceremony (13th Jan), while slightly enigmatic, shed further light and further reason as to why she is more than deserving of the award.

Born in 1962, Foster's rise to fame came early. She appeared in TV's Paper Moon during the 70s and by 1976, aged just 14, she had landed the role that would catapult her into the attention of the masses- co-starring as Iris Steensma in Taxi Driver alongside Robert DeNiro. She won two BAFTAs for the role as well as landing her first Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Her role in the 1988 thriller The Accused saw her win both the Oscar and Golden Globe for Best Actress, and did the same just two years later for her starring appearance in Silence of the Lambs. Her career has never slowed and she has also turned her hand at producing and directing. 

In her speech she left everyone reeling though when she came out as gay. "I already did my coming out a thousand years ago, in the Stone Age," she said, quoted by CBS. "Those very quaint days when a fragile young girl would open up to trusted friends and family and co-workers and then gradually to everyone that knew her, everyone she actually met. But now apparently I'm told that every celebrity is expected to honor the details of their private life with a press conference, a fragrance, and a primetime reality show... my reality show would so boring."

She also alluded to the possibility of a change of career in the future, saying that the change may not "be as sparkly, maybe it won't open on 3,000 screens, maybe it will be so quiet and delicate that only dogs can hear it whistle. But it will be my writing on the wall. 'Jodie Foster was here.' I still am. And I want to be seen, to be understood deeply, and to be not so very lonely."

Her haunting speech touched the hearts of her colleagues, friends and the general public. A lot of those who attended the awards spoke on their feelings about it. Jessica Chastain, Best Actress for a Drama film winner, said of the speech: "The actors who I respect are the ones who try hard to keep their privacy, like Jodie Foster -- I think when an actor is able to do that the audience is better able to accept them in different roles."

Jane Fonda said it was her "favourite part of the evening", while Mel Gibson described Foster and her speech as "Priceless and Classy". 

Evidently, Foster's impact is not limited to her career in fiction, but her life as well, one which, as Kathy Griffin tweeted, "tells LGBT youth: America has evolved, b proud of who u are!!"