Glenn Close is set to finally receive an Oscar. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced that Close, alongside director Ridley Scott and animator Floyd Norman, will be honored with an honorary Academy Award at the annual Governors Awards.
Known as one of the finest actors without an Oscar win, Close has been nominated eight times. Her nominations began in 1983 with ‘The World According to Garp.’ Other nominations include her role in ‘Fatal Attraction’ in 1987 and more recently in ‘Hillbilly Elegy’ in 2020. Her eight nominations place her alongside Peter O’Toole for the highest number of nominations without a win.
Close has won a variety of other prestigious awards, such as three Emmys, three Tonys, three Grammys, and three Golden Globes.
The Academy commended Close’s remarkable emotional range in portraying complex cinema characters. Floyd Norman is recognized as a pioneering animator who has influenced generations. Sir Ridley Scott is celebrated for his innovative work that has impacted global cinema and culture for decades.
Ridley Scott, aged 88, directed iconic films like ‘Alien,’ ‘Blade Runner,’ and ‘Gladiator.’ Despite these successes, he has not won an Oscar, remaining a nominee four times. His work has uniquely combined popular success with critical prestige. Scott received nominations for his direction in films such as ‘Thelma & Louise’ and ‘Black Hawk Down.’
Floyd Norman’s illustrious 65-year career commenced in 1956 when he became the first Black animator at Walt Disney Animation Studios. His contributions span classics like ‘Sleeping Beauty,’ ‘The Jungle Book,’ and ‘Robin Hood.’ Later, he worked on films such as ‘Mulan’ and ‘Monsters, Inc.’
Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award Recipients
Producers Christine Vachon and Pamela Koffler will be awarded the Academy’s Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award. They are recognized for their consistent quality in motion picture production. Together, they co-founded Killer Films in 1995, a major force in American independent cinema.
Their work includes films such as ‘Hedwig and the Angry Inch’ and ‘One Hour Photo.’ They were nominated for best picture for ‘Past Lives’ in 2024. Killer Films’ other notable productions are ‘Velvet Goldmine,’ ‘Happiness,’ ‘Boys Don’t Cry,’ and ‘Carol.’ The Academy praises them for their commitment to ambitious and distinctive storytelling.
The awards ceremony will take place on Nov. 15 at the Ray Dolby Ballroom in Ovation Hollywood, the venue for the main Oscars ceremony. The event draws not only industry veterans but also young stars as it marks the unofficial start of Hollywood’s award season.
The Governors Awards are named not for state leaders but for the Academy’s board of governors. These awards honor remarkable lifetime achievements, significant contributions to the motion picture arts and sciences, and outstanding Academy service.
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