Glenn Close is finally set to receive an Oscar. Recognized worldwide as a leading actor without a win, Close will be awarded an honorary Oscar alongside director Ridley Scott and animator Floyd Norman at the Governors Awards. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences made the announcement on Wednesday.
“Throughout her extraordinary body of work, Glenn Close’s unparalleled emotional range has brought to life some of the most complex characters in cinema,” stated the academy. Meanwhile, Floyd Norman is noted as a legendary animator, celebrated for his barrier-breaking career and broad influence on art. Sir Ridley Scott is acknowledged as a visionary whose work has left a significant impact on cinema globally.
Close, now 79, received her first Oscar nomination in 1983 for “The World According to Garp.” She gained further recognition in 1987 with “Fatal Attraction” and most recently was nominated in 2020 for “Hillbilly Elegy.” Her impressive count of eight nominations ties her with Peter O’Toole for the actor record without a win.
Close is no stranger to accolades. She has claimed three Emmys, three Tonys, three Grammys, and three Golden Globes. The Governors Awards often honor artists with remarkable careers lacking an Oscar. Last year’s recipient, Tom Cruise, exemplifies this trend.
Ridley Scott, aged 88, directed legendary films such as “Alien,” “Blade Runner,” and “Gladiator.” Despite his widespread acclaim and four Oscar nominations, including best director for “Thelma & Louise” and “Black Hawk Down,” an Oscar win eludes him.
Floyd Norman began his career in 1956 with Walt Disney Animation Studios as the first Black animator there. His contributions to classics like “Sleeping Beauty,” “Mary Poppins,” and “The Jungle Book” are well-regarded. He later contributed to films like “Mulan,” “Toy Story 2,” and “Monsters, Inc.” over a 65-year span.
Producers Christine Vachon and Pamela Koffler will be honored with the academy’s Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award. The award recognizes a creative producer known for high-quality film production. Vachon and Koffler, who founded Killer Films in 1995, have produced “Hedwig and the Angry Inch,” “One Hour Photo,” and “May December.” Recently, their “Past Lives” was nominated for best picture Oscars in 2024.
Killer Films has produced notable works like “Velvet Goldmine,” “Happiness,” “Boys Don’t Cry,” “Far from Heaven,” and “Carol.” The academy commends the pair for their central role in advocating bold independent cinema.
All honorees will be celebrated during a ceremony on November 15 at the Ray Dolby Ballroom in Ovation Hollywood. This venue also hosts the main Oscars ceremony. The event serves as an unofficial opener to the Hollywood award season, drawing established stars and promising newcomers. The Governors Awards, named for the academy’s board of governors, recognizes exceptional lifetime achievements and contributions to the film industry.