Media maven Oprah Winfrey will be the recipient of an honorary Oscar at the Academy Awards this November. The Academy of Motion Picture Sciences’ governors have decided to gift Oprah Winfrey with the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award honorary Oscar for her contributions to humanitarian efforts across the world.
Honorary Oscars are gifted to those who exhibit “extraordinary distinction in lifetime achievement, exceptional contributions to the state of motion picture arts and sciences, or for outstanding service to the Academy.” The award is named after screen actor Jean Hersholt, president of the Motion Picture Relief Fund for 18 years.
“[Oprah Winfrey] has been especially dedicated to supporting educational initiatives and raising awareness of issues that affect women and children, bith in the United States and around the globe,” a press announcement from the Academy stated.
Oprah was nominated for an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for 1985’s The Color Purple. She will receive her honorary Oscar at the Governor’s Awards dinner on November 12 in Hollywood.
Actor James Earl Jones and makeup artist Dick Smith were also chosen to receive honorary Oscars this year.