"Abbott Elementary," about teachers at a predominantly Black public school, was named best television comedy and received acting trophies for star and creator Quinta Brunson and supporting actor Tyler James Williams.
Malaysian actress Michelle Yeoh, honored for her leading role in dimension-hopping action movie "Everything Everywhere All at Once," recalled that said she had been called a "minority" and asked if she could speak English early in her career.
Forty years later, "it’s been an amazing journey and incredible fight to be here today, but I think it’s been worth it," she said.
Ryan Murphy, who brought several gay and transgender stories to television, received a lifetime achievement award.
Best actor went to Austin Butler for his leading role in "Elvis." The 31-year-old seemed overwhelmed to accept the honor before an audience of top names in show business.
"I'm in this room with all my heroes," Butler said. "I can't believe I'm here.”
Colin Farrell won lead actor in a movie musical or comedy for portraying a farmer trying to repair a soured friendship in "The Banshees of Inisherin." He thanked fellow cast members including "Jenny the donkey."
The two biggest box office successes of 2022 - "Avatar: The Way of Water" and "Top Gun: Maverick" - were shut out.
Roughly 200 journalists and others from the international film industry voted on this year's Globes. Among those voters, nearly 52% are racially and ethnically diverse, including 10% who are Black, according to the HFPA.
"Elvis" director Baz Luhrmann told Reuters on the event's silver carpet that he felt the HFPA had made significant changes and "really walked the walk."
"And we need them," Luhrmann added, particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic shuttered theaters and led to a decline in moviegoing. "Us coming together is sending a signal out that it's OK to come together for movies. That's a good thing."
Other TV winners included "House of the Dragon," which earned the best drama prize. "The White Lotus" won best limited series.