Hollywood Women Honor Gwyneth and Mom

New mom Paltrow and her mother, Blythe Danner, receive awards from Women in Film

Dad would have been proud. That was the consensus Friday night as late director Bruce Paltrow’s daughter, Gwyneth Paltrow, and his wife, Blythe Danner, were honored in Los Angeles at Women in Film’s Crystal and Lucy Awards.

Paltrow, 31, was awarded the 2004 Crystal Award for her work in helping expand the role of women within the entertainment industry, Reuters reports. Danner, 61, received the 2004 Lucy Award, named for Lucille Ball and recognizing someone whose excellence and motivation enhances the perception of women through TV.

Danner talked of her late husband and how her family helped heal her after Paltrow passed away at 58 in October 2002, from complications of pneumonia following a long battle with cancer.

“After your partner dies, and you watch your firstborn hold her firstborn, not only does it take your breath away, but this thing called life, it begins to make sense again,” she said.

Gwyneth Paltrow, who gave birth to daughter Apple on May 14, was also family-oriented in her remarks. “The only reason I turned out halfway okay is because of my mother and my dad,” she said.

Guest speaker Steven Spielberg talked of his long friendship with the late head of the Paltrow clan: “There are things that Bruce refused to change about himself,” said Spielberg, 57. “The first was he never stopped loving his family and his friends. And there was that smile. That was all the medicine we needed.”

Also in attendance at the event: recent mothers Debra Messing, Peri Gilpin and Jill Hennessy, prompting new grandma Danner to tell USA Today: “I suggested we bring all the babies tonight and use them as centerpieces.”

As for Apple, Paltrow told the paper: “She’s a little bit young to tell, but she appears to have his depth. My father was very grounded, and she is as well.”

Concurred Danner: “Bruce is very much a part of this child.”