The cast and crew of "Girls", (From L:) producer Jennifer Konne, producer Judd Apatow, cast members Zosia Mamet. Lena Dunham, Allison Williams and Adam Driver and director Ilene S. Landress, pose backstage after they won for Best Televison Series, Comedy or Musical at the 70th annual Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills, California, January 13, 2013. [Photo/Agencies]

Iran hostage drama "Argo" scored a sweet double victory at the Golden Globe awards on Sunday, winning best movie drama - the night's top prize - and best director for Ben Affleck on a night that left front-runner "Lincoln" with just one trophy.

Musical "Les Miserables" won the contest for best comedy or musical, as well as acting awards for stars Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathaway.

But elsewhere, it was a night of surprises at Hollywood's second biggest awards show after the Oscars in February.

Actress Jodie Foster publicly acknowledged for the first time that she is gay, and former US President Bill Clinton appeared at the glitzy ceremony.

Related: Argo and Les Mis triumph at Golden Globes

Yet the big story was the defeat of Steven Spielberg's drama about US President Abraham Lincoln's battle to end slavery - which went into Sunday's ceremony with a leading seven nominations - and the triumph of Affleck in the director's race.

Affleck was overlooked in the directing category when Oscar nominations were announced last Thursday, although "Argo" was short-listed for best film at the Oscar ceremony to be held on February 24.

"Argo" combines the true story of the rescue of US diplomats from Tehran after the Islamic Revolution in 1979 under the guise of making a movie, with a satire on Hollywood.

"Argo" producer George Clooney told reporters backstage on Sunday that he was disappointed at Affleck's personal snub by the Academy Awards voters.

"I think he did a phenomenal job with the film. I felt that he should have been nominated, but you can't figure out what goes on in the Academy and he's still nominated for best picture...It's disappointing, but we're not out of the water just yet," Clooney said.