The actor was accepting the Vanguard award for La La Land alongside director Damien Chazelle whose film was inspired by classic musicals such as Singin' in the Rain.

“I wish I could’ve said this in person, but I’d like to thank Debbie Reynolds for her wonderful career of work,” he said.

Debbie Reynolds and Carrie Fisher Show all 9 1 /9 Debbie Reynolds and Carrie Fisher Debbie Reynolds and Carrie Fisher American actor and singer Debbie Reynolds smiles and holds her infant daughter, Carrie Fisher Getty Debbie Reynolds and Carrie Fisher American actress Debbie Reynolds with her daughter Carrie Fisher Getty Debbie Reynolds and Carrie Fisher Actress Debbie Reynolds, poses with her children Carrie Fisher and Todd Fisher Getty Debbie Reynolds and Carrie Fisher Debbie Reynolds and Carrie Fisher arrive at the premiere of 'Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith' Getty Debbie Reynolds and Carrie Fisher Actress Carrie Fisher and her mother, actress Debbie Reynolds Getty Debbie Reynolds and Carrie Fisher Actress Debbie Reynolds accepts the Life Achievement Award from her daughter, actress Carrie Fisher onstage at the 21st Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at The Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California. Getty Debbie Reynolds and Carrie Fisher Actresses Carrie Fisher, Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award recipient Debbie Reynolds, and Billie Lourd pose in the press room during the 21st Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at The Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California Getty Debbie Reynolds and Carrie Fisher A candle is seen on the star for Debbie Reynolds on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Hollywood, California Getty Debbie Reynolds and Carrie Fisher A view of a temporary star made by fans in tribute to actress Carrie Fisher on Hollywood Walk of Fame in Hollywood, California Getty

“She was an inspiration to us every day. We watched Singin’ in the Rain every day for inspiration and she was truly an unparalleled talent. So I thank her for all of that inspiration.”

Reynolds passed away after suffering a reported stroke on 28 December, just one day after her actor daughter Carrie Fisher died at the age of 60 from a heart attack. They will be buried in a joint funeral service in Hollywood Hills.

La La Land Clip - Play The Setlist

Romantic musical La La Land stars Gosling alongside Emma Stone as a jazz musician and aspiring actor in modern-day Los Angeles and has fast established itself as an awards frontrunner in the lead-up to this year's Golden Globes and Oscars.