Quincy Jones, director Richard Curtis, James Bond producers to receive honorary Oscars
Legendary music producer Quincy Jones, filmmaker Richard Curtis, Bond producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccili and casting director Juliet Taylor will receive honorary Oscars from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
The Academy Board of Governors announced the awards Wednesday, and the honorary Oscars will be presented at the Governors Awards event on Nov. 17 in Los Angeles.
Curtis, the creator of classic comedies like "Four Weddings and a Funeral," "Love Actually" and "Notting Hill," will receive the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award for his "tremendous charitable efforts," Academy President Janet Yang said in a release. Curtis is the co-founder of Comic Relief UK and USA, and his fundraising work over 40 years has helped raise more than $2 billion for 170 million people.
Broccoli and Wilson, producers of the iconic James Bond film series, will be honored with the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award to producers "as a testament to their success as producers," Yang said. Broccoli is the second woman to receive the producer's honor from the Academy.
During his seven-decade career Jones' film credits have included "In the Heat of the Night" and he has earned a total of seven Oscar nominations for films such as "In Cold Blood," "The Wiz" and "The Color Purple." (He received a best picture nomination for "The Color Purple.")
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Taylor has worked as casting director in some of the most acclaimed casts in film history during her 50-year career including "Taxi Driver," "Annie Hall," “Big," "Sleepless in Seattle" and “Schindler's List."
"Black Panther" actress Angela Bassett, "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial" film editor Carol Littleton and comedy legend Mel Brooks were bestowed with honorary Oscars for the 2023 ceremony, which took place in January. The untelevised, private dinner event was originally scheduled for Nov. 18, but was pushed into 2024 due to the Hollywood strikes.
