Russell Crowe and Cate Blanchett have used their moments in the Golden Globes spotlight to bring awareness to the bushfires ravaging Australia on climate change.

The usually glitzy Hollywood awards show repeatedly paused on Sunday in Beverly Hills as Ellen DeGegeneres, Pierce Brosnan and other stars offered their support to Australia.

Joaquin Phoenix, winner of the best dramatic actor Globe for Joker, went a step further and suggested the A-List crowd help the environment by not taking private planes.

The show’s host Ricky Gervais told the audience to “please donate to Australia”.

Crowe won his first major Hollywood award in more than a decade for his performance as infamous former FOX News boss Roger Ailes in the TV mini-series The Loudest Voice, but he skipped the Globes ceremony to stay with his family in Australia.

Jennifer Aniston read Crowe’s speech.

“Make no mistake the tragedy unfolding in Australia is climate change-based,” Crowe wrote. “We need to act based on science, move our workforce to renewable energy and respect our planet for the unique and amazing place it is. That way we all will have a future.”

Blanchett was on stage to introduce best picture nominee Joker but took time to thank Australia’s heroic volunteer firefighters.

“I want to do a special call-out to the volunteer firefighters who have been at the centre of the climate disaster that has been facing Australia and, of course, when one country faces a climate disaster we all face a climate disaster,” Blanchett said.

DeGeneres, married to Australian actress Portia de Rossi, received a lifetime achievement award and opened her speech with words of support for Australia.

“Australia, I love you,” DeGeneres told the audience.

“My heart goes out to everyone who is suffering in Australia and all of the animals we have lost.”

Blanchett, Margot Robbie, Nicole Kidman and Toni Collette all fell short of claiming Globes.

Blanchett was nominated in the best actress in a musical or comedy movie category for Where’d You Go, Bernadette.

The winner was Awkwafina for The Farewell.

Robbie is Australia’s best acting Oscar chance this year for her supporting performance in Bombshell, but she suffered a setback at the Globes.

Laura Dern firmed as the Oscar supporting actress frontrunner after winning the Globe for Marriage Story.

Kidman, nominated for Big Little Lies, was pipped in the lead actress in a TV drama category by The Crown’s Olivia Colman.

Collette was nominated in the supporting actress in a TV series or movie category for Unbelievable but the Globe went to Patricia Arquette for The Act.

The trailblazing World War I epic 1917 was the big winner of the night with the Globe win for best film drama and Sam Mendes received the directing nod.

Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood also improved its Oscar chances with Globe wins for best musical/comedy, Quentin Tarantino the screenplay award and Brad Pitt supporting actor.

Taron Edgerton collected the comedy/musical actor Globe for his performance as Elton John in Rocketman.

Renee Zellweger confirmed her status as favourite for the best actress Oscar with a Globe win for Judy.

The Academy Awards nominations will be announced next week and the winners revealed on February 9.

with AAP