The Social Network picked up four major awards including Best Motion Picture and Best Director at the 2010 Golden Globes.
Based on the launch of Facebook and the extraordinary story of its founder, Mark Zuckerberg, The Social Network also won Best Original Screenplay and Best Original Score.
There was also good news for Britain’s stars with Colin Firth picking up the Best Actor gong for his role in The King’s Speech while Christian Bale was named Best Supporting Actor was his brilliant portrayal of crack-addled ex-boxer in The Fighter.
Natalie Portman was named Best Actress for her portrayal of a ballet dancer in Darren Aronofsky’s haunting Black Swan while Melissa Leo picked up the Supporting Actress prize for her role in The Fighter.
On the TV front, the big winners were musical show Glee and gangster series Boardwalk Empire which won three and two awards respectively.
The glittering awards ceremony was held at the Beverly Hills Hilton and is seen as a precursor to The Oscars.
British comedian Ricky Gervais hosted the awards for the second year running – taking the opportunity to poke fun at Charlie Sheen, Mel Gibson and Robert Downey JR in the process.
His performance at the Globes was regarded as the evening’s overall highlight – although some believe his controversial swipes at Hollywood’s A-listers may result in him not being welcomed back.
GOLDEN GLOBE WINNERS – IN FULL
Film categories
Best film (drama)
The Social Network
Best film (musical or comedy)
The Kids are All Right
Best director
David Fincher – The Social Network
Best actor (drama)
Colin Firth – The King’s Speech
Best actress (drama)
Natalie Portman – Black Swan
Best actor (musical or comedy)
Paul Giamatti – Barney’s Version
Best actress (musical or comedy)
Annette Bening – The Kids are All Right
Best supporting actor
Christian Bale – The Fighter
Best supporting actress
Melissa Leo – The Fighter
Best foreign language film
In a Better World – Denmark
Best animated feature film
Toy Story 3
Best screenplay
Aaron Sorkin – The Social Network
Best original song
You Haven’t Seen the Last of Me – Burlesque: music and lyrics by Diane Warren
Best original score
Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross – The Social Network
Television categories
Best series (drama)
Boardwalk Empire
Best series (musical or comedy)
Glee
Best mini-series or film made for TV
Carlos
Best actor (drama)
Steve Buscemi – Boardwalk Empire
Best actor (musical or comedy)
Jim Parsons – The Big Bang Theory
Best actress (drama)
Katey Sagal – Sons of Anarchy
Best actress (musical or comedy)
Laura Linney – The Big C
Best actress (mini-series or film made for TV)
Claire Danes – Temple Grandin
Best supporting actress (series, mini-series or film made for TV)
Jane Lynch – Glee
Best actor (series, mini-series or film made for TV)
Al Pacino – You Don’t Know Jack
Best supporting actor (series, mini-series or film made for TV)
Chris Colfer – Glee