General News

2011 Governors Awards Arrival & Ceremony Photos

By Michelle McCue | November 13, 2011

Last night, the Academy presented Honorary Awards to actor James Earl Jones and makeup artist Dick Smith and the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award to philanthropist Oprah Winfrey at the 3rd Annual Governors Awards dinner at the Grand Ballroom at the Hollywood & Highland Center in California.

Click HERE to watch the 2011 Governors Awards Video Highlights.

To honor James Earl Jones, aka Darth Vader, Star Wars stormtroopers and Academy President Tom Sherak introduced the 2011 Governors Awards in the Grand Ballroom. Sherak remarked, “How was your week?” in reference to the exit of producer Brett Ratner and host Eddie Murphy and the replacement of new host Billy Crystal and producer Brian Grazer.

Oscar®-nominated Actress Glenn Close spoke as part of the award presentation to Honorary Award recipient James Earl Jones. The actor was presented with his award on stage in London at the Wyndham Theater, where he is starring in “Driving Miss Daisy” with Vanessa Redgrave. Jones said, “What the heck else would you call that but an actor’s wet dream?” after receiving the award from Sir Ben Kingsley.

Born in Arkabutla, Mississippi, Jones made his film debut in 1964 in Stanley Kubrick’s “Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb.” In 1970, he earned an Academy Award® nomination for his role as boxer Jack Jefferson in “The Great White Hope.” Jones has appeared in more than 50 feature films including “Claudine,” “Conan the Barbarian,” “Field of Dreams,” “Coming to America” and, as Vice Admiral James Greer, “The Hunt for Red October,” “Patriot Games” and “Clear and Present Danger.” Additionally, Jones has also voiced some of the most iconic characters in motion pictures including Darth Vader in the Star Wars trilogy and Mufasa in “The Lion King.”

Oscar®-nominated Actress Linda Blair, Producer/Director J.J. Abrams, and Oscar-winning Makeup Artist Rick Baker spoke as part of the award presentation to Honorary Award recipient Dick Smith. In his speech, a choked-up Dick Smith said, “I have loved being a makeup artist so much, but this puts a crown on all of that. I am so grateful.”

Known as the “godfather of makeup,” Smith began his career in 1945 as NBC’s first makeup man. He is known for his makeup artistry on such films as “The Godfather,” “The Exorcist” and “Taxi Driver.” In 1984 he won an Oscar® for his work on “Amadeus,” and received a nomination for “Dad” (1989). As an educator, Smith helped train many of today’s Academy Award-winning and nominated makeup artists including Rick Baker, Greg Cannom, Kevin Haney, Kazuhiro Tsuji, Mike Elizalde and Carl Fullerton.

Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award recipient Oprah Winfrey (left) and Honorary Oscar® Recipient Dick Smith

Maria Shriver, Quincy Jones and John Travolta introduced the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award recipient Oprah Winfrey. Travolta said,”I don’t think the world is big enough to reflect your spirit.” In her acceptance speech, Winfrey said, “To be here tonight, it is unimaginable if… you are a black, “colored girl,” born in Mississippi in 1954.”

Since receiving her Oscar nomination for her debut film performance in “The Color Purple,” actress, television host and producer Winfrey has gone on to establish herself as one of the most influential figures in entertainment and philanthropy. She has been especially dedicated to supporting educational initiatives and raising awareness of issues that affect women and children, both in the United States and around the globe. Her philanthropic efforts have included Oprah’s Angel Network, the Oprah Winfrey Foundation, and the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls, which opened in South Africa in 2007.

The Honorary Award, an Oscar statuette, is given to an individual 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 Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, an Oscar statuette, is given to an individual in the motion picture industry whose humanitarian efforts have brought credit to the industry.