Watch: Brian Cox urges Hollywood to stage 'hidden protest' at the Oscars
What did you miss?Brian Cox has urged his fellow Hollywood stars to stage a "hidden protest against Donald Trump and climate change at the Oscars.
The Succession star is from Scotland but has spent much of his career working in America and told Good Morning Britain on Monday about his fears for the US on Donald Trump's presidential inauguration day, as well as sharing his horror at the wildfires in Los Angeles.
Asked how he thought this year's Oscars ceremony could go ahead, Cox said: "It's up to our profession to honour the truth of what's going on."
What, how, and why?The Succession star said big name stars could speak out at the Oscars. (Getty Images for Warner Bros Pictures)
This year's Academy Awards n ominations have been delayed twice after wildfires raged through the Los Angeles area, and on the day of Donald Trump's inauguration actor Brian Cox has called on the movie industry to use the ceremony to take a stand against the President's views on climate change.
Trump, who takes office for the second time from Monday, has claimed that climate change is "a hoax" and is expected to cast aside environmental targets during his second term as president, in the wake of some of the worst fires the US has seen.
Cox told Good Morning Britain that his fellow stars, many of whom lost homes and possessions in the fires, should use the Oscars as a protest aga inst the current situation in the US.
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Brian Cox told Good Morning Britain it was up to Hollywood stars to speak out against Donald Trump and climate change at the Oscars. (ITV screengrab)
He said: "What's been happening in Los Angeles, the idea that (Trump) can say there's no such thing as climate change — come on, what are we seeing."
Talking about his friends who had been affected by the fires, he said: "Anthony Hopkins lost his house and Billy Crystal who lived there for 49 years. It's not just their home, it's everything else. It's their whole history they've lost. It's really tragic. A great friend of mine (Robert) Bobby Egan had a house in the Palisades and I've been to that house on several occasions and that's all gone."
Brian Cox shared his concerns about Donald Trump. (AFP via Getty Images)
As host Susanna Reid asked how Cox thought the Oscars could work with a show of luxury against the backdrop of the devastation, he repl ied: "That's going to be hard. I think they've got to find a new way. It's up to our profession to honour the truth of what's going on. That's one thing that we could do during the Oscars is to put some kind of hidden protest in who we are and what we are against and why. Global warming is a major issue that [Trump] doesn't believe in. He simply doesn't believe in it."
Cox might be known for his outspoken political views, but he admitted: "I wasn't interested in politics, but unfortunately you can't not be interested in politics."
Wildfires have destroyed huge areas of Los Angeles. (Getty Images)
He said of the inauguration: "We know what's going to happen, it's a foregone conclusion, but what I'm dreading is the next four years for many reasons."
As his interview ended, Cox laughed: "I hope I didn't destroy my career."
What else did Brian Cox say about Donald Trump?Donald Trump is taking office for the second time. (Getty Images)
Cox made it clea r that he had concerns about Trump taking office again as he said of Monday's inauguration: "It's not a good time."
Talking about the US, he added: "It's so divided...it's crazy really... The thing that worries me more than anything else is how women are being treated, how the women are being marginalised in America. We've seen it with the defeat of Hilary (Clinton), we've certainly seen it with the defeat of Kamala (Harris). Where do women fit in, in that society? Women are fighting for their own rights, the whole abortion issue. I feel very strongly that there's a strong anti-feminist thing going on."
Brian Cox shared his concerns for the US. (WireImage)
The star added: "It's the lack of awareness that bothers me. The lack of awareness of this man who is a convicted criminal, who is a known liar, has been trusted as the President of the United States. It doesn't make any sense."
On his own connection with America, Cox said: "I have two sons there, one's at university. They love it, they love the country. There is so much to be loved about America. I'm not anti-America. I went to America because I'm a great believer in egalitarianism and America is in essence an egalitarian society. There are very strong and really worthwhile aspects to America to preserve. There are a lot of good people there, it's not all doom and gloom, but it's a very sad time."
Good Morning Britain airs on ITV1 at 6am on weekdays.
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