Michelle Williams Expresses She Realized Brokeback Mountain Was ‘Extraordinary’
Michelle Williams had a strong intuition that the 2005 film Brokeback Mountain would be a hit, and she discovered why during a pivotal moment.
During an interview on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen on Friday, April 4, Williams shared with the host that the film’s promotional tour hinted at its significant impact.
“I distinctly remember participating in the junket and realizing that witnessing grown men cry was a rare occurrence. That was when I think we all understood that this film was going to mean something special to people,” she remarked.
The film featured Jake Gyllenhaal alongside Williams’ late ex, Heath Ledger, portraying Jack Twist and Ennis Del Mar, two men involved in a concealed romantic relationship spanning 20 years. Williams and Anne Hathaway played the roles of the men’s future wives.
(Williams began dating Ledger in 2004, welcoming their daughter, Matilda, in 2005 before parting ways in 2007. Ledger tragically passed away from an accidental drug overdose in 2008, just a few months after their separation.)
Cohen expressed his disappointment to Williams that the movie did not win the Best Picture Oscar, as that honor went to Crash instead.
In 2024, Brokeback Mountain director Ang Lee recalled being told to remain backstage during the Oscars ceremony after winning Best Director because many anticipated Brokeback Mountain would claim Best Picture. “I received my award, which was [second to] last before the big one, and as I was exiting the stage, they called me back and told me to stay at my mark. Everyone assumed I was going to win, so just stay here,” he shared with IndieWire.
“The curtain was just to the side of the stage, and the next category was Best Picture. ‘Stay right there, just stay there,’” he continued. “I could see Jack Nicholson’s profile as he opened the envelope, and I thought, ‘Oh my God, oh my God.’ It felt like an eternity before he announced it, and then he said, ‘Crash.’”
Williams currently stars in the Hulu series Dying for Sex, which launched on Friday, April 4. The series tells the story of her character, Molly Kochan, who embarks on a sexual exploration after being diagnosed with terminal cancer. The cast also includes Jenny Slate as Kochan’s best friend, Nikki Boyer.
This series is inspired by the podcast of the same name, which chronicles the true story of Kochan, who passed away in 2019.
“I was incredibly moved by the podcast — it completely captured my heart, and I couldn’t overlook it. I was literally in tears,” Williams expressed in an interview with Women’s Health published on Friday. “I struggled to explain why it touched me so profoundly. After listening again, I was in tears once more. There was a connection that I felt compelled to honor.”
