Barry Diller entertained the crowd at the PGA Awards with witty remarks as he presented the Milestone Award to his friend, Jason Blum. Diller, in a rare onstage appearance, humorously referenced Hollywood icons and took friendly jabs at various industry figures, including David Ellison and Harvey Weinstein.
Diller poked fun at Paramount CEO Ellison, joking about his background as a stunt pilot. He also contrasted legendary filmmaker Cecil B. DeMille with Blum, noting Blum’s knack for making high-grossing films on minimal budgets. Diller highlighted Blum’s eccentric frugality, sharing anecdotes like Blum opting for multiple economy seats over first-class to use an inflatable mattress on flights.
Despite expressing his dislike for horror films, Diller praised Blum’s dedication to low-budget, highly profitable movie projects. He commended Blum for staying true to his vision and supporting artists in telling stories that resonate with audiences. Diller humorously concluded by describing Blum as a modern-day Renaissance man and expressed his delight in awarding Blum for his contributions to film.
Blum, upon accepting the award, humorously remarked that his greatest achievement was convincing Barry Diller to attend the PGA Awards.