Oscar Season Kicks in with Nov. 12 Gala

In an Oscar story that got ignored last week, it's time to refocus on the honors. With all the drama that unfolded with hosting duties and a producer defect, the Governors Awards will be handed out tonight in Hollywood. This will be the third time they have taken place in November, ahead of the big show in February. In order to give the recipients their due, this night was created. Plus, it helped cut time from the Oscar telecast, which was needed. Honorary Awards will go to actor James Earl Jones and makeup artist Dick Smith and the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award to philanthropist Oprah Winfrey. All three awards will be presented at the Academy's 3rd Annual Governors Awards dinner on tonight (Nov. 12) at the Grand Ballroom at Hollywood & Highland Center®. The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences recently released bio information for the winners. The following are the reasons they were being so honored.
Oprah Winfrey: 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.
James Earl Jones: 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."
Dick Smith: 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. SOURCE: AMPAS
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