TheGovernors Awards presentation is an annual award ceremony hosted by theAcademy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), at the Grand Ballroom of theHollywood and Highland Center, in the Hollywood district of Los Angeles, California.[1] Three awards that signify lifetime achievement within the film industry – theAcademy Honorary Award, theJean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, and theIrving G. Thalberg Memorial Award – are presented at this ceremony. The first Governors Awards ceremony was held on November 14, 2009. Prior to this, these three awards were formally presented during the mainAcademy Awards ceremony, which now conducts a short mention and appearance of the awards recipients after displaying amontage of the Governors Awards presentation. In the years since, the awards have gained prominence as a majorred-carpet destination and industry event.
| The Governors Awards | |
|---|---|
| Awarded for | Lifetime achievement in film |
| Country | United States |
| Presented by | Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences |
| First award | 2009–present |
| Website | Official website |
Description and history
editThe Governors Awards are one of five award ceremonies hosted by AMPAS, along with theAcademy Scientific and Technical Awards, AcademyStudent Academy Awards, theNicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting, and themain Oscars.[2]
TheAcademy Honorary Award (every year),Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award (some years), andIrving G. Thalberg Memorial Award (some years) are presented at the ceremony. The Governors Awards are held the November or December before the mainAcademy Awards ceremony, usually held in February or March the following year.[1] The Awards are not voted upon but, rather, are presented at the discretion of the Academy.
The Academy Honorary Awards and Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Awards are both Oscar statuettes, while the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award is a small bust ofThalberg on a plinth.
The Academy Honorary Award is given for "extraordinary distinction in lifetime achievement, exceptional contributions to the state of motion picture arts and sciences, or for outstanding service to the Academy". The Thalberg Award is given to "a creative producer whose body of work reflects a consistently high quality of motion picture production".[3]
The board members of AMPAS had previously been concerned about awarding more than one or two Honorary Academy Awards each year for fear of lengthening the mainAcademy Awards presentation but, in most iterations of the Governors Awards to date, they have awarded three Honorary Academy Awards. So far in the history of the Governors Awards, the Hersholt Award and the Thalberg Award have always been given on separate years.
The smaller presentation of the Governors Awards was designed to invoke the feel of the early Academy Award ceremonies.[4] During the event, several notable colleagues of the awardees give them tributes before they make an acceptance speech. Though the event has not been televised, thus far, the Academy posted most of the speeches for the 2013 and 2014 events online.
Since its inception, the event has become a majorred-carpet stop for many prospective Oscar hopefuls, including actors and filmmakers, and is, in some ways, the first major stop of the seasonal Awards Circuit.[5]
Ceremonies and honorees
edit1st Annual Governors Awards
editThe Academy held its 1st Annual Governors Awards ceremony on November 14, 2009. The following awards were presented.
- Academy Honorary Award:Lauren Bacall,Roger Corman, andGordon Willis[6]
- Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award:John Calley (who was not able to attend; directorSteven Spielberg accepted on his behalf)
Tributes:
- Lauren Bacall:Annette Bening andKirk Douglas.
- Roger Corman:Jonathan Demme,Quentin Tarantino, andRon Howard
- Gordon Willis:Caleb Deschanel,Jeff Bridges
- John Calley:Dino De Laurentiis,Norman Jewison,Warren Beatty,Tom Hanks
2nd Annual Governors Awards
editThe Academy held its 2nd Annual Governors Awards ceremony on November 13, 2010. The following awards were presented.
- Academy Honorary Award:Kevin Brownlow,Jean-Luc Godard (who didn't attend the ceremony;Academy PresidentTom Sherak accepted on his behalf), andEli Wallach[3]
- Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award:Francis Ford Coppola
Tributes:
- Kevin Brownlow:Kevin Spacey
- Jean-Luc Godard:Vincent Cassel,Mark Johnson, Charles Fox
- Eli Wallach:Clint Eastwood,Robert De Niro, Anne Jackson
- Francis Ford Coppola:George Lucas,Robert De Niro,Roman Coppola
3rd Annual Governors Awards
editThe Academy held its 3rd Annual Governors Awards ceremony on November 12, 2011. The following awards were presented.
- Academy Honorary Award:James Earl Jones andDick Smith[7]
- Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award:Oprah Winfrey
Tributes:
- James Earl Jones:Glenn Close,Ben Kingsley,Courtney B. Vance, andAlec Baldwin
- Dick Smith:J.J. Abrams,Linda Blair,
- Oprah Winfrey:John Travolta
4th Annual Governors Awards
editThe Academy held its 4th Annual Governors Awards ceremony on December 1, 2012. The following awards were presented.
- Academy Honorary Award:D. A. Pennebaker,Hal Needham andGeorge Stevens Jr.[8]
- Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award:Jeffrey Katzenberg
Tributes:
- D.A. Pennebaker:Michael Moore
- Hal Needham:Quentin Tarantino
- George Stevens Jr.:Sidney Poitier
- Jeffrey Katzenberg:Tom Hanks
5th Annual Governors Awards
editThe Academy held its 5th Annual Governors Awards ceremony on November 16, 2013. The following awards were presented.[9]
- Academy Honorary Award:Angela Lansbury,Steve Martin andPiero Tosi (who was not able to attend; actressClaudia Cardinale accepted on his behalf)
- Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award:Angelina Jolie
Tributes:
- Angela Lansbury:Robert Osborne,Geoffrey Rush, andEmma Thompson
- Steve Martin:Tom Hanks,Martin Short, and Bill Taylor
- Piero Tosi:Jeffrey Kurland andMilena Canonero
- Angelina Jolie:George Lucas andGena Rowlands
6th Annual Governors Awards
editThe Academy held its 6th Annual Governors Awards ceremony on November 8, 2014. The following awards were presented.[10]
- Academy Honorary Award:Jean-Claude Carrière,Hayao Miyazaki, andMaureen O'Hara
- Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award:Harry Belafonte
Tributes
- Jean-Claude Carriere:Philip Kaufman
- Hayao Miyazaki:John Lasseter
- Maureen O'Hara:Liam Neeson andClint Eastwood
- Harry Belafonte:Chris Rock andSusan Sarandon
7th Annual Governors Awards
editThe Academy held its 7th Annual Governors Awards ceremony on November 14, 2015. Academy presidentCheryl Boone Isaacs gave a speech in support of France following theNovember 2015 Paris attacks the day before. The following awards were presented.[11]
- Academy Honorary Award:Spike Lee andGena Rowlands
- Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award:Debbie Reynolds (who was not able to attend; her granddaughterBillie Lourd accepted on her behalf)
Tributes:
- Spike Lee:Denzel Washington,Samuel L. Jackson, andWesley Snipes
- Gena Rowlands:Cate Blanchett,Laura Linney andNick Cassavettes
- Debbie Reynolds:Meryl Streep andJane Fonda
8th Annual Governors Awards
editThe Academy held its 8th Annual Governors Awards ceremony on November 12, 2016, and presented the following awards:[12]
- Academy Honorary Award:Jackie Chan,Anne V. Coates,Lynn Stalmaster andFrederick Wiseman
Tributes:
- Jackie Chan:Chris Tucker,Michelle Yeoh andTom Hanks
- Anne V. Coates:Nicole Kidman,Richard Gere and Michael Tronick
- Lynn Stalmaster:Bruce Dern,Laura Dern,Jeff Bridges, andDavid Rubin
- Frederick Wiseman:Ben Kingsley,Don Cheadle, and Rory Kennedy
9th Annual Governors Awards
editThe Academy held its 9th Annual Governors Awards ceremony on November 11, 2017, and presented the following awards:[13]
- Academy Honorary Award:Agnès Varda,Charles Burnett,Donald Sutherland andOwen Roizman
Tributes:
- Agnès Varda:Angelina Jolie,Jessica Chastain, Kimberly Pierce and Kate Amend
- Charles Burnett:Ava DuVernay,Chadwick Boseman,Tessa Thompson,Sean Baker and Reginald Hudlin
- Donald Sutherland:Whoopi Goldberg,Jennifer Lawrence,Colin Farrell, and Ron Meyer
- Owen Roizman:Dustin Hoffman andLawrence Kasdan
10th Annual Governors Awards
editThe Academy held its 10th Annual Governors Awards ceremony on November 18, 2018, and presented the following awards:[14]
- Academy Honorary Award:Cicely Tyson,Lalo Schifrin andMarvin Levy
- Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award:Kathleen Kennedy andFrank Marshall
Tributes:
- Cicely Tyson:Ava DuVernay,Quincy Jones andTyler Perry
- Lalo Schifrin:Clint Eastwood
- Marvin Levy:Tom Hanks andLaura Dern
- Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall:Steven Spielberg
11th Annual Governors Awards
editThe Academy held its 11th Annual Governors Awards ceremony on October 27, 2019, and presented the following awards:[15]
- Academy Honorary Award:David Lynch,Wes Studi, andLina Wertmüller
- Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award:Geena Davis
Tributes:
- David Lynch:Isabella Rossellini,Laura Dern,Kyle MacLachlan
- Wes Studi:Q'orianka Kilcher,Joy Harjo, andChristian Bale
- Lina Wertmüller:Jane Campion,Greta Gerwig, andSophia Loren
- Geena Davis:Tom Hanks andConstance Wu
12th Annual Governors Awards
editThe Academy held its 12th Annual Governors Awards ceremony in on March 25, 2022.[16][17] The following awards were presented:[16][17][18]
- Academy Honorary Award:Samuel L. Jackson,Elaine May, andLiv Ullmann
- Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award:Danny Glover
Tributes:
- Samuel L. Jackson:Denzel Washington
- Elaine May:Bill Murray
- Liv Ullman:John Lithgow
- Danny Glover:Alfre Woodard
On December 22, 2021, the AMPAS announced that due toCOVID-19 pandemic-related concerns—involving the widespread surge of theOmicron variant in theUnited States—that it "made the decision to change plans for hosting the ceremony in person on January 15, 2022," with a new date to be announced.[19] The ceremony would afterwards be held on the newly scheduled date of March 25, 2022.[16][17][20]
13th Annual Governors Awards
editThe Academy held its 13th Annual Governors Awards ceremony on November 19, 2022.[21][22]
- Academy Honorary Award:Peter Weir,Diane Warren andEuzhan Palcy[23]
- Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award:Michael J. Fox[24]
Tributes:
- Peter Weir:Jeff Bridges
- Diane Warren:Cher
- Euzhan Palcy:Viola Davis
- Michael J. Fox:Woody Harrelson
14th Annual Governors Awards
editThe Academy planned to hold its 14th Annual Governors Awards ceremony on November 18, 2023.[25] However, on September 6 it was moved to January 9, 2024 due to theWGA andSAG-AFTRA strikes.[26] The ceremony was hosted by comedianJohn Mulaney.[27]
- Academy Honorary Award:Angela Bassett,Mel Brooks andCarol Littleton[25]
- Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award:Michelle Satter[25]
Tributes:
- Mel Brooks:Matthew Broderick andNathan Lane
- Carol Littleton:Glenn Close
- Angela Bassett:Regina King
- Michelle Satter:Ryan Coogler andChloé Zhao
15th Annual Governors Awards
editThe Academy held its 15th Annual Governors Awards ceremony on November 17, 2024. The recipients had been announced on June 12, 2024. Academy Honorary Award recipientQuincy Jones died two weeks before the ceremony and his daughterRashida Jones accepted the award on his behalf.[28] The ceremony was hosted by actorColman Domingo. The following awards were presented.[29]
- Academy Honorary Award:Quincy Jones andJuliet Taylor
- Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award:Barbara Broccoli andMichael G. Wilson
- Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award:Richard Curtis
Tributes:
- Quincy Jones:Jamie Foxx
- Juliet Taylor:Nicole Kidman
- Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson:Daniel Craig
- Richard Curtis:Hugh Grant
Associated events
edit- Academy Awards (February or March)
- Academy Scientific and Technical Awards (about two weeks before the Academy Awards ceremony)
- AcademyStudent Academy Awards
- Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting
References
edit- ^ab"Governors Awards".Oscars.org | Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
- ^"Oscars".Oscars.org | Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
- ^ab"Latest Academy News". 10 September 2014.
- ^Gray, Tim (25 August 2010)."AMPAS chooses Governors' Awards winners".
- ^Cieply, Michael; Barnes, Brooks (17 November 2013)."Governors Awards Becomes a Red-Carpet Stop".The New York Times. RetrievedNovember 18, 2013.
- ^"The 2009 Governors Awards | 2009".Oscars.org | Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
- ^"The 2011 Governors Awards | 2011".Oscars.org | Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
- ^"The 2012 Governors Awards | 2012".Oscars.org | Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
- ^Whipp, Glenn (17 November 2013)."Oscars honors Angelina Jolie, Steve Martin, Angela Lansbury".Los Angeles Times.
- ^"Academy Unveils 2014 Governors Awards Recipients".Variety. 28 August 2014. Retrieved1 September 2014.
- ^"Academy President Kicks Off Governors Awards With Show of Support for France".Variety. 14 November 2015. Retrieved15 November 2015.
- ^"ACADEMY ANNOUNCES JACKIE CHAN, ANNE COATES, LYNN STALMASTER, AND FREDERICK WISEMAN WILL RECEIVE 2016 GOVERNORS AWARDS".Oscar. Retrieved2 September 2016.
- ^"THE 2017 GOVERNORS AWARDS".Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Retrieved17 November 2017.
- ^"The Academy Fetes Tyson, Kennedy, Marshall at 10th Annual Governors Awards".Backstage. RetrievedAugust 30, 2023.
- ^"THE ACADEMY TO HONOR GEENA DAVIS, DAVID LYNCH, WES STUDI AND LINA WERTMÜLLER AT 2019 GOVERNORS AWARDS".Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Retrieved3 June 2019.
- ^abcBeckett, Lois (March 26, 2022)."'This is going to be cherished': Samuel L Jackson and Elaine May receive honorary Oscars".The Guardian. RetrievedMarch 26, 2022.
- ^abcWillis, Courtney (March 26, 2022)."Samuel L. Jackson, Danny Glover honored at Governors Awards". The Grio. RetrievedMarch 26, 2022.
- ^"Oscars to honor Elaine May, Danny Glover, Samuel L. Jackson".ABC News. RetrievedJune 24, 2021.
- ^Hammond, Pete (December 22, 2021)."Motion Picture Academy Postpones January's Governors Awards; No New Date Yet".Deadline. RetrievedDecember 22, 2021.
- ^Dury, Sharareh (March 24, 2022)."Academy Honors Legacy Troupe Ahead of Governors Awards". Variety. RetrievedMarch 26, 2022.
- ^Hammond, Pete (June 21, 2022)."Governors Awards: Michael J. Fox, Diane Warren, Peter Weir & Euzhan Palcy Set For Academy Honors".
- ^"Michael J Fox among stars recognised with honorary Oscars at Governors Awards".Belfasttelegraph.
- ^Feinberg, Scott (June 21, 2022)."Academy's Governors Awards: Michael J. Fox Tapped for Hersholt Award, Diane Warren, Peter Weir and Euzhan Palcy Set for Honorary Oscars".The Hollywood Reporter.
- ^Davis, Clayton (June 21, 2022)."Peter Weir, Diane Warren, Euzhan Palcy and Michael J. Fox to Receive Honorary Oscars at Governors Awards".
- ^abc"The Academy to honor Angela Bassett, Mel Brooks and Carol Littleton with Academy Honorary Awards and Michelle Satter with the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award". 28 June 2023.
- ^"Governors Awards Move to January Amid Strikes". 6 September 2023.
- ^"Governors Awards - Let John Mulaney Host Everything".vulture.com. 10 January 2024.
- ^"Rashida Jones delivers the speech late father Quincy wrote to accept his honorary Oscar".Los Angeles Times. June 18, 2024.
- ^"The Academy to honor Richard Curtis, Quincy Jones, Juliet Taylor, Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli".Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. June 12, 2024.