Sharon Stone Breaks Down on Stage Honoring Her Late Mother at AARP Awards

BEVERLY HILLS, California − A feeling of shared and individual sorrow was clearly present atAARP’s Film Awards for Older Adultson Sunday evening as actressesSharon Stone, Laura Dern and Kathy Batesemotionally recalled their deceased mothers while on stage.

While it was a night filled with mostly humor and joy as actorsGeorge Clooney and Adam Sandlermocked the process of getting older, there were also instances where the obvious topic was discussed.

When presenting the film “Hamnet,” directed by Chloé Zhao, as the recipient of the best picture/movie award on January 10, the 67-year-old remarked, “In a room where everyone is old enough to have loved and experienced loss or are in the process of losing, it resonates with an effect that is beyond words.”

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Stone, who passed away from her mother in March of 2025, was moved to tears on stage during her speech, needing to stop at times.

These losses don’t just vanish; they enter into us,” she continued. “They turn into a part of us. They become a portion of us.

Before the nearly three-hour awards show ceremony − set to air on Sunday, Feb. 22 − Stone approached “Hamnet” actress Jessie Buckley on the red carpet for a brief conversation.

While she was holding Buckley during a profound discussion, the two of them became emotional at a certain moment.

Although it wasn’t immediately apparent what Stone and Buckley were talking about at the time, it became clearer when Stone went on stage to introduce Zhao, Buckley, and co-star Paul Mescal. Zhao embraced Stone and referred to her as “brave” before stepping up to deliver her acceptance speech.

Also from AARP: Adam Sandler promises to produce “at least 50 more films before I pass away”

Laura Dern recalls her late mother, Diane Ladd

While making her comments, she also acknowledged Dern in the audience,who had as her mother the renowned Diane Ladd, who passed away in November. Dern, who won the best actress award for her performance in “Is This Thing On?,” discussed her own personal sorrow in her speech, but also mentioned how we are “living in a period of complete heartache and breakdown.”

The 58-year-old actress also remembered that “the last time I was here, you were celebrating my mother,” and said “she loved all of you” at AARP.

Chloé Zhao on loss and the creation of ‘Hamnet’

During her acceptance speech at the AARP Movies for Grownups Awards, Zhao stated that creating “Hamnet” reminded “us that sorrow is an unavoidable part of life, and the more we permit ourselves to experience the depths of our sorrow, the more we are capable of loving and developing compassion.”

More: Jessie Buckley and Chloé Zhao revealed new insights while working on ‘Hamnet’

It’s a truly stunning paradox and extremely, extremely challenging, as many of you are aware,” she said, with Buckley and Mescal standing beside her on stage. “When it’s really hard to experience our sorrow, that’s when we turn to poetry, and that’s when we turn to art, and that’s when we turn to storytelling, for one another and for the community.

Kathy Bates became emotional on stage, mentioning that her mother is “the force behind my Matty”

The “Matlock” star, who was the oldest recipient of the evening at 77, also became emotional during her acceptance speech when she mentioned her late mother, Bertye Kathleen Bates.

More: Kathy Bates states that Rob Reiner “altered the direction of my life”

Bates, who portrays Madeline “Matty” Matlock in the CBS drama series, mentioned that her mother is “the force behind my Matty.”

She desired to become a lawyer and would have excelled at it,” she stated. “I wouldn’t possess the same confidence to address you all tonight and accept this wonderful award if it weren’t for her strength in navigating a life she didn’t necessarily plan for, yet devoted to raising her three daughters who cherished her deeply.

More: Kathy Bates discusses the surprising twist in the new ‘Matlock’; CBS show gets renewed for Season 2

The yearly ceremony, taking place at the Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel, honored the top television programs and movies created for and by individuals aged 50 and older in 2025. Additional winners of the evening were George Clooney, Guillermo del Toro, Regina Hall, and Noah Wyle.

More: George Clooney criticizes Tarantino regarding Paul Dano, Matthew Lillard makes offensive remarks

The Great Performances series will air the Movies For Grownups Awards on Sunday, February 22, at 7 p.m. via PBS.

This piece was first published on USA TODAY:Sharon Stone sheds tears on stage while recalling her late mother at the AARP Awards