Monday, January 16, 2012

Golden Globe winner Peter Dinklage dedicates award to injured dwarf tossing victim in Britain

From The Daily Mail in the UK:

A tribute by a Golden Globe winner has led to a dwarf from Britain Jan. 16 becoming one of the world’s top Twitter trends.

Games Of Thrones star Peter Dinklage (pictured) ended his acceptance speech with a mention of the name Martin Henderson, and the suggestion to 'Google him'.

Millions did. Then within minutes Mr Henderson was a trending topic on Twitter. Those who searched him online found the horrific story.

Mr Henderson is a 37-year-old dwarf and aspiring actor who was left badly injured after being picked up and thrown to the ground by a drunk man.

The attack happened as he stepped outside a pub in Wincanton, in Somerset, to have a cigarette.

Mr Henderson, from nearby Milborne Port, who suffers from achondroplasia dwarfism and spinal stenosis, said his legs went numb after the callous attack.

He said the October 7 attack was inspired by a 'dwarf-tossing' event attended by some members of England's national rugby team.

There was outrage in Britain after the event held on a night out during last year's Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.

England's rugby stars were also seen downing shots as they partied in a Queenstown bar called Altitude, which was hosting a 'Mad Midget Weekend'.

It was also the night that one of them, Mike Tindall, who was newly married into the Royal Family, was captured on CCTV kissing ex-girlfriend Jessica Palmer.

The night out followed a disastrous opening match for the England team, setting the tone for their appalling performance on and off the field during the tournament.

The stars, including Tindall, the husband of Princess Anne's daughter Zara Phillips, were disciplined for attending the event, as well as for other acts of bad behaviour on the tour.

Mr Henderson believes the violence that has put an end to his promising acting career may not have happened it it wasn't for the news about the players' night out last September.

'The England players had been in trouble for going to a dwarf tossing event and this might have given this guy the idea,' he said last week.

But his story was highlighted by Dinklage won best supporting actor in a TV series, miniseries or movie for his performance in the HBO fantasy series Game of Thrones. He earlier won an Emmy for the role.

Games Of Thrones actor Peter Dinklage won best supporting actor, for a TV miniseries drama.

Before signing off with the reference to Mr Henderson, Dinklage revealed how his mother kept him grounded in his acceptance speech.

He said: 'I was talking to my mother in Jersey before I came out, and she said, "Have fun, but have you seen Mildred Pierce? Guy Pearce is so good. He's going to win."

'So I haven't seen Mildred Pierce but I'm sure it's really good, and I just love our moms because they keep us humble.'

Reacting to the name-check, Martin said: 'I could not believe it when I heard I had been mentioned.

'I was totally shocked. It is really odd to think my name was heard by all these actors.

'It is nice to know my message is getting out to people that it is not acceptable to throw dwarves around.

'I have a massive response and it has mostly been really positive.

Martin confirmed he is still awaiting an apology from the England rugby team over the incident - which has left him needing to use a wheelchair for long journeys.