Academy Honorary Award

The Academy Honorary Award, instituted in 1948 for the 21st Academy Awards (previously called the Special Award), is given by the discretion of the Board of Governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) to celebrate motion picture achievements that are not covered by existing Academy Awards, although prior winners of competitive Academy Awards are not excluded from receiving the Honorary Award (e.g. Mary Pickford, Maurice Chevalier, Laurence Olivier, Alec Guinness, James Stewart, Sophia Loren, Sidney Poitier, et al).[1] Unless otherwise specified, Honorary Award recipients receive the same gold Oscar statuettes received by winners of the competitive Academy Awards.[2] Unlike the Special Achievement Award instituted in 1972, those on whom the Academy confers its Honorary Award do not have to meet "the Academy's eligibility year and deadline requirements."[3] Like the Special Achievement Award, the Special Award and Honorary Award have been used to reward significant achievements of the year that did not fit in existing categories, subsequently leading the Academy to establish several new categories, and to honor exceptional career achievements, contributions to the motion picture industry, and service to the Academy.[4][5][6]

Contents

Recipients

[Sources: Years for which the Special Award and Honorary Award recipients received their awards and the annual Academy Awards ceremonies at which they received them provided within parentheses throughout (as pertinent) follow this information for recipients listed in the Official Academy Award Database and Web-based official AMPAS documents.]

Bob Hope was honored on four separate occasions.

1920s

Year Receipient Notes Award
1927/1928 Warner Bros.Warner Bros. "for producing The Jazz Singer [1927], the pioneer outstanding talking picture, which has revolutionized the industry." Statuette
1927/1928 Chaplin, CharlesCharles Chaplin "for acting, writing, directing and producing The Circus [1928]."[7] Statuette
1928/1929 No award
1929/1930 No award

1930s

Year Receipient Notes Award
1930/1931 No award
1931/1932 Walt DisneyWalt Disney "for the creation of Mickey Mouse." Statuette
1932/1933 No award
1934 Shirley TempleShirley Temple "in grateful recognition of her outstanding contribution to screen entertainment during the year 1934." Miniature statuette
1935 D. W. GriffithD. W. Griffith "for his distinguished creative achievements as director and producer and his invaluable initiative and lasting contributions to the progress of the motion picture arts." Statuette
1936 The March of TimeMarch of Time "for its significance to motion pictures and for having revolutionized one of the most important branches of the industry – the newsreel."
1936 W. Howard GreeneW. Howard Greene and Harold Rosson "for the color cinematography of the Selznick International Production, The Garden of Allah." Plaque
1937 Edgar BergenEdgar Bergen "for his outstanding comedy creation, 'Charlie McCarthy'." Wooden statuette, with movable mouth
1937 W. Howard GreeneW. Howard Greene "for the color photography of A Star Is Born." Plaque
1937 Museum of Modern ArtMuseum of Modern Art Film Library "for its significant work in collecting films dating from 1895 to the present and for the first time making available to the public the means of studying the historical and aesthetic development of the motion picture as one of the major arts." Scroll certificate
1937 Mack SennettMack Sennett "for his lasting contribution to the comedy technique of the screen, the basic principles of which are as important today as when they were first put into practice, the Academy presents a Special Award to that master of fun, discoverer of stars, sympathetic, kindly, understanding comedy genius – Mack Sennett." Statuette
1938 J. Arthur BallJ. Arthur Ball "for his outstanding contributions to the advancement of color in Motion Picture Photography." Scroll
1938 Walt DisneyWalt Disney "for Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs [1937], recognized as a significant screen innovation which has charmed millions and pioneered a great new entertainment field for the motion picture cartoon." One statuette and seven miniature statuettes on a stepped base
1938 Deanna DurbinDeanna Durbin and Mickey Rooney "for their significant contribution in bringing to the screen the spirit and personification of youth, and as juvenile players setting a high standard of ability and achievement." Miniature statuette
1938 Gordon JenningsGordon Jennings, Jan Domela, Devereaux Jennings, Irmin Roberts, Art Smith, Farciot Edouart, Loyal Griggs, Loren L. Ryder, Harry D. Mills, Louis Mesenkop, Walter Oberst "for outstanding achievement in creating Special Photographic and Sound Effects in the Paramount production, Spawn of the North." Plaque
1938 Oliver T. MarshOliver T. Marsh and Allen Davey "for the color cinematography of the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer production, Sweethearts." Plaque
1938 Harry WarnerHarry Warner "in recognition of patriotic service in the production of historical short subjects presenting significant episodes in the early struggle of the American people for liberty." Scroll
1939 Douglas FairbanksDouglas Fairbanks "recognizing the unique and outstanding contribution of Douglas Fairbanks, first President of the Academy, to the international development of the motion picture." Statuette
1939 Judy GarlandJudy Garland "for her outstanding performance as a screen juvenile during the past year." Miniature statuette
1939 William Cameron MenziesWilliam Cameron Menzies "for outstanding achievement in the use of color for the enhancement of dramatic mood in the production of Gone with the Wind." Plaque
1939 Motion Picture Relief FundMotion Picture Relief Fund acknowledging the outstanding services to the industry during the past year of the Motion Picture Relief Fund and its progressive leadership. Presented to Jean Hersholt, President; Ralph Morgan, Chairman of the Executive Committee; Ralph Block, First Vice-President; and Conrad Nagel. Plaque
1939 Technicolor CompanyTechnicolor Company "for its contributions in successfully bringing three-color feature production to the screen." Statuette

1940s

Year Receipient Notes Award
1940 Bob HopeBob Hope "in recognition of his unselfish services to the Motion Picture Industry." Silver plaque
1940 Nathan LevinsonNathan Levinson "for his outstanding service to the industry and the Army during the past nine years, which has made possible the present efficient mobilization of the motion picture industry facilities for the production of Army Training Films." Statuette
1941 Walt DisneyWalt Disney, William Garity, John N. A. Hawkins, and the RCA Manufacturing Company "for their outstanding contribution to the advancement of the use of sound in motion pictures through the production of Fantasia. Certificate of Merit
1941 Stokowski, LeopoldLeopold Stokowski and his associates "for their unique achievement in the creation of a new form of visualized music in Walt Disney's production, Fantasia, thereby widening the scope of the motion picture as entertainment and as an art form. Certificate of Merit
1941 Scott, Rey Rey Scott "for his extraordinary achievement in producing Kukan, the film record of China's struggle, including its photography with a 16mm camera under the most difficult and dangerous conditions.[8] Certificate of Merit

1950s

1960s

1970s

1980s

Year Receipient Notes Award
1980 Henry FondaHenry Fonda "the consummate actor, in recognition of his brilliant accomplishments and enduring contribution to the art of motion pictures." Statuette
1981 Barbara StanwyckBarbara Stanwyck "for superlative creativity and unique contribution to the art of screen acting." Statuette
1982 Mickey RooneyMickey Rooney "in recognition of his 60 years of versatility in a variety of memorable film performances." Statuette
1983 Hal RoachHal Roach "in recognition of his unparalleled record of distinguished contributions to the motion picture art form." Statuette
1984 James StewartJames Stewart "for his fifty years of memorable performances. For his high ideals both on and off the screen. With the respect and affection of his colleagues." Statuette
1984 The National Endowment for the ArtsThe National Endowment for the Arts "in recognition of its 20th anniversary and its dedicated commitment to fostering artistic and creative activity and excellence in every area of the arts." Statuette
1985 Alex NorthAlex North "in recognition of his brilliant artistry in the creation of memorable music for a host of distinguished motion pictures." Statuette
1985 Paul NewmanPaul Newman "in recognition of his many and memorable compelling screen performances and for his personal integrity and dedication to his craft." Statuette
1986 Ralph BellamyRalph Bellamy "for his unique artistry and his distinguished service to the profession of acting." Statuette
1987 No award
1988 Eastman KodakEastman Kodak Company "in recognition of the company's fundamental contributions to the art of motion pictures during the first century of film history." Statuette
1988 National Film Board of CanadaNational Film Board of Canada "in recognition of its 50th anniversary and its dedicated commitment to originate artistic, creative and technological activity and excellence in every area of film making." Statuette
1989 Akira KurosawaAkira Kurosawa "for cinematic accomplishments that have inspired, delighted, enriched and entertained worldwide audiences and influenced filmmakers throughout the world." Statuette

1990s

Year Receipient Notes Award
1990 Sophia LorenSophia Loren "one of the genuine treasures of world cinema who, in a career rich with memorable performances, has added permanent luster to our art form." Statuette
1990 Myrna LoyMyrna Loy "in recognition of her extraordinary qualities both on screen and off, with appreciation for a lifetime's worth of indelible performances." Statuette
1991 Satyajit RaySatyajit Ray "in recognition of his rare mastery of the art of motion pictures, and of his profound humanitarian outlook, which has had an indelible influence on filmmakers and audiences throughout the world." Statuette
1992 Federico FelliniFederico Fellini "in recognition of his cinematic accomplishments that have thrilled and entertained worldwide audiences." Statuette
1993 Deborah KerrDeborah Kerr "in appreciation for a full career's worth of elegant and beautifully crafted performances." Statuette
1994 Michelangelo AntonioniMichelangelo Antonioni "in recognition of his place as one of the cinema's master visual stylists." Statuette
1995 Chuck JonesChuck Jones "for the creation of classic cartoons and cartoon characters whose animated lives have brought joy to our real ones for more than a half century." Statuette
1995 Kirk DouglasKirk Douglas "for 50 years as a creative and moral force in the motion picture community." Statuette
1996 Michael KiddMichael Kidd "in recognition of his services to the art of the dance in the art of the screen." Statuette
1997 Stanley DonenStanley Donen "in appreciation of a body of work marked by grace, elegance, wit and visual innovation." Statuette
1998 Elia KazanElia Kazan "in appreciation of a long, distinguished and unparalleled career during which he has influenced the very nature of filmmaking through his creation of cinematic masterpieces." Statuette
1999 Andrzej WajdaAndrzej Wajda ""in recognition of five decades of extraordinary film direction." Statuette

2000s

Year Receipient Notes Award
2000 Jack CardiffJack Cardiff "master of light and color." Statuette
2000 Ernest LehmanErnest Lehman "in appreciation of a body of varied and enduring work." Statuette
2001 Sidney PoitierSidney Poitier "in recognition of his remarkable accomplishments as an artist and as a human." Statuette
2001 Robert RedfordRobert Redford "Actor, director, producer, creator of Sundance, inspiration to independent and innovative filmmakers everywhere." Statuette
2002 Peter O'ToolePeter O'Toole "whose remarkable talents have provided cinema history with some of its most memorable characters." Statuette
2003 Blake EdwardsBlake Edwards "in recognition of his writing, directing and producing an extraordinary body of work for the screen." Statuette
2004 Sidney LumetSidney Lumet "in recognition of his brilliant services to screenwriters, performers and the art of the motion picture." Statuette
2005 Robert AltmanRobert Altman "in recognition of a career that has repeatedly reinvented the art form and inspired filmmakers and audiences alike." Statuette
2006 Ennio MorriconeEnnio Morricone "in recognition of his magnificent and multifaceted contributions to the art of film music." Statuette
2007 Robert F. BoyleRobert F. Boyle "in recognition of one of cinema's great careers in art direction." Statuette
2008 No award
2009 Lauren BacallLauren Bacall "in recognition of her central place in the Golden Age of motion pictures." Statuette
2009 Roger CormanRoger Corman "for his rich engendering of films and filmmakers." Statuette
2009 Gordon WillisGordon Willis "for unsurpassed mastery of light, shadow, color and motion." Statuette

2010s

Year Receipient Notes Award
2010 Kevin BrownlowKevin Brownlow "for the wise and devoted chronicling of the cinematic parade." Statuette
2010 Jean-Luc GodardJean-Luc Godard "for passion. for confrontation. for a new kind of cinema." Statuette
2010 Eli WallachEli Wallach "for a lifetime's worth of indelible screen characters." Statuette
2011 James Earl JonesJames Earl Jones "for his legacy of consistent excellence and uncommon versatility" Statuette
2011 Dick SmithDick Smith "for his unparalleled mastery of texture, shade, form and illusion" Statuette

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. "About Academy Awards: Honorary Award" (Web). Official Academy Award Website. Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) Oscars.org. Archived from the original on 2008-04-09. http://web.archive.org/web/20080409013646/http://www.oscars.org/aboutacademyawards/awards/honorary01.html. Retrieved 2008-07-29. "The Academy's Honorary Award is given to honor extraordinary distinction in lifetime achievement, exceptional contributions to the state of motion picture arts and sciences, or for outstanding service to the Academy. It is given at the discretion of the Board of Governors and is not necessarily given every year, although the last year it was not given before 2008 was 1987." 
  2. ^ Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. "About Academy Awards: Honorary Award" (Web). Official Academy Award Website. Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), Oscars.org. Archived from the original on 2008-04-09. http://web.archive.org/web/20080409013646/http://www.oscars.org/aboutacademyawards/awards/honorary01.html. Retrieved 2008-08-01. "The Honorary Award can also take the form of a life membership in the Academy, a scroll, a medal, a certificate or any other design chosen by the Board of Governors. The John A. Bonner Medal of Commendation, given for 'outstanding service and dedication in upholding the high standards of the Academy,' is considered an Honorary Award. It is usually given at the annual presentation of Scientific and Technical Awards, a dinner ceremony separate from the annual telecast." 
  3. ^ Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. "Special Achievement Award" (Web). Official Academy Award Website. Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), Oscars.org. http://www.oscars.org/aboutacademyawards/awards/achievement.html. Retrieved 2008-07-29. "The Special Achievement Award, an Oscar statuette, is given for an achievement which makes an exceptional contribution to the motion picture for which it was created, but for which there is no annual award category. ... Unlike an Honorary Award, a Special Achievement Award is conferred only for achievements in films which meet the Academy's eligibility year and deadline requirements.... In the Makeup and Sound Effects Editing categories, the Award can be given if those committees fail to come up with three nominations. In that case the committee may recommend to the Board of Governors that a special Achievement Award be voted instead. That was the case in the Visual Effects category, too, before Visual Effects became an annual award.... Thirteen of the 17 Special Achievement Awards given since the category was instituted in 1972 were given for visual effects or sound effects achievements." 
  4. ^ Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. "About Academy Awards: Honorary Award" (Web). Official Academy Award Website. Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), Oscars.org. Archived from the original on 2008-04-09. http://web.archive.org/web/20080409013646/http://www.oscars.org/aboutacademyawards/awards/honorary01.html. Retrieved 2008-08-01. ""The Honorary Award is not called a lifetime achievement award by the Academy, but it is often given for a life's work in filmmaking – to Polish director Andrzej Wajda in 1999, for example, and to Elia Kazan the previous year [1998].... The Honorary Award also may be given for outstanding service to the Academy. The last time this happened, however, was in 1979, when an Oscar statuette was presented to Academy Governor Hal Elias, who had served more than a quarter century on the Board of Governors." 
  5. ^ Among its Honorary Awards for acting, the Academy also presents deserving young actors with the Special Juvenile Academy Award. (Most of those are not listed here; some of the early "Special Awards" that later became known in that acting category as the "Special Juvenile Academy Award" are listed with "Special Award" added parenthetically.)
  6. ^ Following the searchable Official Academy Award Database (a primary source for this list), years listed are the years of the Academy Awards ceremony when the award was presented (with the annual award ceremony following within parentheses, as documented in the Official Academy Award Database).
  7. ^ Removing him from the contests in which he had been nominated for an Academy Award in the "competitive classes", the Academy gave Chaplin this "Special Award" because, as it wrote to him, his "collective accomplishments" in The Circus merited his placement "in a class" by himself.
    "Special Award to Charles Chaplin" (Web). Official Academy Award Database. AMPAS, Oscars.org. http://awardsdatabase.oscars.org/ampas_awards/DisplayMain.jsp?curTime=1217314105990. Retrieved 2008-07-29. "[NOTE: The Academy Board of Judges on merit awards for individual achievements in motion picture arts during the year ending August 1, 1928, unanimously decided that your name should be removed from the competitive classes, and that a special first award be conferred upon you for writing, acting, directing and producing The Circus. The collective accomplishments thus displayed place you in a class by yourself." (Letter from the Academy to Mr. Chaplin, dated February 19, 1929.)]" 
  8. ^ Bosley Crowther (1941-06-24). "Movie Review: 'Kukan,' a Vivid Fact Film about Modern China and Its Myriad Peoples, Is Seen at the World" (Web). The New York Times, Movies (movies.nytimes.com). http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9907E6DC153FE13BBC4C51DFB066838A659EDE. Retrieved 2008-07-30.  Crowther refers to filmmaker as a "young newspaperman, Rey Scott" in the text of this review; credits (at foot of page) describe this film as "A travel picture filmed in color in China and narrated by Ray [sic] Scott.
  9. ^ Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. "Honorary Award" (Web). Official Academy Awards Database. AMPAS, Oscars.org. http://www.oscars.org/aboutacademyawards/awards/honorary02.html. Retrieved 2008-07-29.  (Page 2 of 2 pages); cf. Awards Database.
  10. ^ Baskett was the first African-American actor to receive an Oscar; this "Special Award", which he received at the 20th Academy Awards ceremony, held on March 20, 1948, effectively removed him from contention for a best actor award for his role of Uncle Remus; he died of heart disease on July 9, 1948.
  11. ^ Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. "From Amarcord to Z" (Web). AMPAS. Oscars.org. http://www.oscars.org/events/past/2007/flfa_posters/. Retrieved 2008-07-29. "Posters From Fifty Years of Foreign Language Film Award Winners: January 19 through April 15, 2007, in the Academy's Grand Lobby Gallery. ... The history of the award actually goes back to 1947, when the Academy recognized Shoe-Shine, from war-scarred Italy, for offering 'proof to the world that the creative spirit can triumph over adversity.' The Academy presented seven more 'special' or 'honorary' foreign language film Oscars before officially establishing the category in 1956. That first competitive award went to Italy for La Strada. The exhibition, which has been assembled from the extensive poster collection of the Academy's Margaret Herrick Library, includes the posters for both Italian films." 
  12. ^ "[NOTE: Presented on "Jean Hersholt Night," June 26, 1949, at the Academy building.]" (Awards Database)
  13. ^ "[NOTE: The Academy's Board of Governors voted to confer this award on January 6, 1973. Mr. Robinson passed away on January 26, and the award was accepted on his behalf by his wife.]" (Awards Database)

References

External links