Austin Butler Recalls Lisa Marie Presley's Profound Impact On His Life Before Her Death

Austin Butler's portrayal of Elvis Presley in the biopic "Elvis" won him his first-ever Golden Globes award. The actor fully immersed himself in the role, which was a years-long undertaking, per Variety. "During 'Elvis,' I didn't see my family for about three years. I was prepping with Baz [Luhrmann], and then I went to Australia. I had months where I wouldn't talk to anybody. And when I did, the only thing I was ever thinking about was Elvis. I was speaking in his voice the whole time," he shared.

Butler has now received an Oscar nomination for "Elvis" and shared on "Today" that it was a "bittersweet moment" for him because of Lisa Marie Presley's death from a heart attack on January 12. "I think of how much I wish she was here right now to get to celebrate with me," he told the hosts. He added, "It's just sort of strange to celebrate at a time of such deep grief. I sort of think of it as a way to honor her, and this is for her, you know?"

Just days before her tragic death, Lisa Marie sang Butler's praises at the 2023 Golden Globes, calling his portrayal of her father "incredible," per Entertainment Tonight. The two had bonded over the film and Butler later revealed a touching moment he and Lisa Marie shared at the late singer's home.

Austin Butler is getting much recognition for his role in "Elvis," and he opened up to Jimmy Fallon about Lisa Marie Presley's influence on him. "I first met Lisa when we screened the film in Graceland. And I've never had an experience where I met somebody and felt an immediate depth of relationship to them ... She was a person who didn't really have anything to prove and wouldn't open up to everybody and she just opened up to me, and we got so close so fast," Butler shared. 

He revealed a special moment in Graceland when Lisa Marie showed him Elvis Presley's slippers in his bedroom. "You know, moments like that, we just sat in his bedroom, and up there, he's not Elvis. He was just dad, you know? And so, to hear those stories, I truly will treasure that forever," Butler stated.

Butler's Oscar nomination may truly be a bittersweet moment for him. In May 2022, Lisa Marie wrote on Instagram, "Austin Butler channeled and embodied my father's heart and soul beautifully. In my humble opinion, his performance is unprecedented and FINALLY done accurately and respectfully. (If he doesn't get an Oscar for this, I will eat my own foot, haha)." With so many commending Butler for his portrayal of the King of Rock and Roll, he's bound to be a shoo-in for the prestigious award.