Posted by Travis Keune in Actors, Awards | 1 comment
Jerry Lewis finally honored by AMPAS
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has finally decided to notice actor/comedian Jerry lewis, but it’s not for his work in the film biz. No, Mr. Lewis is receiving the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award for his work with children afflicted with muscular dystrophy. While Jerry Lewis has never been nominated for an Oscar, he will receive one of the coveted golden statues during the 81st Annual Academy Awards ceremony, in honor of his charitable work.
“Jerry is a legendary comedian who has not only brought laughter to millions around the world but has also helped thousands upon thousands by raising funds and awareness for those suffering from muscular dystrophy,” Academy president Sid Ganis said.
[source: HollywoodReporter.com]
From Deadline Hollywood Daily:
“I also have learned that protests are coming into the Academy about its Board of Governors’ choice of Jerry Lewis to receive the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award. The controversy is over his recent repeated and public anti-gay slurs. The Hollywood gay community, joined by much of the showbiz straight community, is already on edge because of Proposition 8 passed last month outlawing same-sex unions in California. So the vote by the AMPAS board selecting Lewis seems like “salt poured into an open wound”, according to one of my sources. Already several prominent entertainment biz gays have questioned the Academy about the selection of Lewis, especially for a humanitarian award. I’m told the AMPAS response has been, “he’s apologized”. My insiders say Tom Sherak, the former 20th Century Fox and Revolution Studios exec, was primarily responsible for lobbying the board to choose Lewis.
As recently as October, Lewis made an anti-gay slur on Australian television similar to one he amde on his annual Muscular Dystrophy association telethon a year ago.
Yet there he was in Australia, doing it again, and apologizing again.I say this is a terrible choice by the Academy. Despite Lewis’ 42 years of raising money for MDA. His demonstrated attitude towards gays doesn’t make him a humanitarian in my eyes.” Nikki Finke
http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/oscar-news-host-wont-do-stand-up-protests-over-ampas-honor-for-jerry-lewis/