All three awards will be presented at the Academy’s 7th Annual Governors Awards Nov. 14 at the Ray Dolby Ballroom at Hollywood & Highland Center.
“The Board is proud to recognize our honorees’ remarkable contributions at this year’s Governors Awards,” said Academy president Cheryl Boone Isaacs in a statement. “We’ll be celebrating their achievements with the knowledge that the work they have accomplished – with passion, dedication and a desire to make a positive difference – will also enrich future generations.”
The Honorary Award, an Oscar statuette, 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.” The Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, also an Oscar statuette, is given “to an individual in the motion picture arts and sciences whose humanitarian efforts have brought credit to the industry.”
Lee's features include “She’s Gotta Have It,” “School Daze” and “Do the Right Thing,” which earned him a 1989 Oscar nomination for Original Screenplay. His work as a director ranges from the Oscar-nominated documentary feature “4 Little Girls” to such mainstream successes as “Malcolm X” and “Inside Man.” On Broadway Lee produced and directed Mike Tyson: Undisputed Truth.
Rowlands received Academy Award nominations for her lead performances in “A Woman under the Influence” (1974) and “Gloria” (1980), both directed by her husband and frequent collaborator, John Cassavetes. She got her start on the New York stage and in live television in the 1950s and has appeared in 40 feature films to date. The actress appeared on Broadway in Middle of the Night in 1956. Reynolds, a Hollywood icon since she won hearts in “Singin’ in the Rain,” has appeared in more than 40 feature films, including “The Tender Trap,” “A Catered Affair” and “Mother,” and received a 1964 Oscar nomination for her lead performance in “The Unsinkable Molly Brown.” Reynolds received a Tony nomination for her work in the musical Irene; she also was a replacement in Woman of the Year.
