Memorable Moments From the Golden Globes

Talk about awkward: When Christine Lahti won best actress for her role on the TV series Chicago Hope in 1998, she almost missed her chance to give an acceptance speech because she was in the bathroom when her name was called. Some quick-thinking folks, including Robin Williams, filled the time until she could rush onstage. In 2001, Renee Zellweger pulled the same stunt when presenter Hugh Grant had to stall while waiting for the embarrassed actress to pick up an award for Nurse Betty.

After reports surfaced that Isaiah Washington used a homophobic slur against his Grey's Anatomy co-star T.R. Knight – who later came out as gay – Washington went on the defensive. When questioned about the incident at the 2007 Golden Globes, he once again dropped the other F-word, this time in front of a room full of press. Katherine Heigl publicly came to Knight's defense, and Washington was soon dropped from the show.

In 2008, the Golden Globes ceremony was canceled because of a writers' strike when actors vowed to boycott the event in a show of solidarity. In place of the usually rowdy dinner- and drink-fest, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association held a snoozy 30-minute press conference announcing the winners. Talk about a buzzkill.

In 1984, Barbra Streisand became the first ­woman to win best director, for the movie Yentl. In an emotional speech, Streisand called directing the "highlight" of her professional life and hoped the win would present "new opportunities" for women in film. As of 2012 she is the only woman to have ever won the coveted directing prize at the Globes.

Openly gay fashion designer and former E! correspondent Isaac Mizrahi made a bold move in 2006 when he squeezed one of Scarlett Johansson's breasts while interviewing her on the red carpet. He then repeatedly sing-songed "I touched Scarlett's boob." While the actress took the awkward incident in stride at the time, she later called Mizrahi's antics "in poor taste" and said he made her uncomfortable.

Originally, the Golden Globes were handed out by journalists – until 1958, when bored Rat Packers Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. jumped onstage with whisky and cigarettes in hand and hijacked the show. The audience was so enamored, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association asked them back the next year – and celebrities have had the spotlight ever since.

During her 2003 acceptance speech for her award-winning role in a made-for-TV version of Angels in America, Globes darling Meryl Streep took a swipe at then-president George W. Bush by denouncing his anti-gay marriage stance: "I don't think the biggest problem in America . . . [is] when two people want to commit their lives to each other till death do us part." Considered a daring move at the time, it was a reference to a State of the Union Address Bush made, which also named "steroids in sports" as a national issue.

Everyone was on Mickey Rourke's side in 2009, when he made a major comeback with The Wrestler, winning best actor at the Globes over the likes of Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio and Sean Penn. His big moment included a few swears, a shout-out to director Darren Aronofsky that warranted the finger and a dedication to his beloved dogs. "Sometimes when a man's alone, all you've got is your dog. They meant the world to me," he said. Here's looking at you, Loki.

Wearing a Galliano dress that can only be described as a high-end shredded trash bag, Courtney Love stumbled onto the 2000 red carpet looking like one hot mess. A walking wardrobe malfunction waiting to happen, her almost-exposed breasts made numerous "Worst Dressed" lists the next day.

When it comes to best-dressed couples, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie seem to have the market cornered. In 2011, they made a grand entrance together with Pitt wearing a dapper suit and Jolie sparkling in a form-fitting emerald green dress. While they didn't walk away with any awards, all eyes were on them all night.