Austin Butler Pays Tribute to Lisa Marie Presley After Her Death

Indeed, she felt as though he had truly channeled Elvis, who died on August 1977 at 42 years old.

In Exclusively Elvis: A Special Edition of 20/20, Lisa Marie said Austin’s take on the role was “almost as if he channeled him.”

“He put everything he had, his heart, his soul, everything he had into researching, reading, watching, learning,” she said. “He honored him in every way possible.”

On Jan. 10, Lisa Marie’s last public outing before her tragic death, she and Priscilla accompanied Austin to the 80th annual Golden Globes. When Austin won the Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Drama, he took a moment to show gratitude for the Presley family in his acceptance speech.

“Thank you guys, thank you for opening your hearts, your memories, your home to me,” he said. “Lisa Marie, Priscilla, I love you forever.”