Former US president Bill Clinton brought Hollywood to its feet Sunday with a brief appearance at the Golden Globe awards.

GOLDEN GLOBES GALLERY | Glitz, Glamour and Winners

Clinton, 66, a favourite of the US entertainment industry, got a standing ovation when he stepped out on stage at the Beverly Hilton ballroom to introduce close friend Steven Spielberg's historical epic Lincoln.

"A tough fight to push a bill through a bitterly divided House of Representatives - winning it required the president to make a lot of unsavoury deals ... I wouldn't know anything about that," he quipped.

Lincoln's struggle to end slavery was a reminder that "enduring progress is forged in a cauldron of both principle and compromise," said Clinton, who left the White House 12 years ago this month after two terms.

"In Lincoln we see a man more interesting than the legend and a far better guide for future presidents."

No sooner was Clinton off the stage than co-host Amy Poehler squealed: "Wow. What an exciting special guest. That was Hillary Clinton's husband."

The former first lady and senator is President Barack Obama's outgoing secretary of state.