Austin Butler Names Working With Lisa Marie Presley 'Greatest Gift Of His Life'

Austin is experiencing the awards season of a lifetime. The actor was nominated in the Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor category at the 2023 SAG Awards for his work in Elvis.

Undoubtedly, Austin is grateful for his achievements but his career milestones are not the only things the Hollywood star is thankful for.

Recently, the Once Upon A Time In Hollywood actor shared that he was grateful for the support he received from Elvis Presley's daughter, Lisa Marie Presley.

During a chat with ET's Denny Directo at the 2023 SAG Awards, Austin explained that it was exciting to be a part of the Elvis Presley biopic.

The 31-year-old then spoke about his time with the Presley family, revealing that it was a profound privilege to be able to relate to them in some way.

Austin further confessed that Lisa was such an extraordinary woman. According to him, the times he spent with Lisa were "some of the greatest gifts of his life."

Afterward, the actor said he had profound feelings to be able to carry on the late singer's legacy in the way he did.

Austin previously admitted that his award wins felt bittersweet following Lisa's tragic demise from a cardiac arrest on January 12, 2023.

The Hollywood star said backstage at Best London's Festival Hall after winning the Best Actor award that it was an imaginably tragic time, adding that grief was a long process.

Austin further noted that his heart and love were with the Presley family and he felt honored to have been welcomed into the family, revealing it was a bittersweet time.

Austin also relayed that he didn't miss "the terror" of trying to do justice to Elvis, but he felt incredibly grateful to have been given the opportunity to play the iconic singer.

According to the actor, he felt the elation that came with playing Elvis Presley every day and realized how lucky he was to have such an experience. 

While Austin is thankful for the support he received from Lisa, the actor has also acknowledged the immense growth in his acting career.

During the interview, Austin recalled when he was a little kid, walking around in different colored T-shirts as an extra in TV shows, and noted it was special to see how far he had come.

The actor then noted that if he could advise his younger self, he would tell him to focus on the work and not all the noise around it.

Austin's incredible talent and his award wins have not only put him but his family members and friends in the limelight. The actor has appeared on the red carpet with his sister, Ashley, and father, David.

Austin has also spoken about taking his BFF, James, as his date to the Oscars. During the chat with ET, the actor explained that he and James had been best friends since he was 17. 

According to Austin, he wouldn't have had his life as an actor without one of his best friends James, so, being able to bring him to the upcoming Oscars would be a profound privilege.

The 95th Academy Awards is scheduled to take place on March 12, 2023, in a ceremony held by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.