The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced that actress Glenn Close, director Ridley Scott, and animator Floyd Norman will receive Honorary Oscars. Producers Christine Vachon and Pamela Koffler will receive the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award. The statuettes will be presented at the 17th Governors Awards ceremony on November 15, 2024, at the Ray Dolby Ballroom at Ovation Hollywood. The awards were voted by the Academy's Board of Governors.
Honorees
Glenn Close
An actress with eight Academy Award nominations for acting, including for "The World According to Garp" (1982), "Fatal Attraction" (1987), "Dangerous Liaisons" (1988), "Albert Nobbs" (2011), "The Wife" (2017), and "Hillbilly Elegy" (2020). She is tied with the late Peter O'Toole for the most acting nominations without a competitive win. She has won three Emmy Awards, three Tony Awards, and three Grammy Awards.
Ridley Scott
A director with four Academy Award nominations, including Best Director nominations for "Thelma & Louise" (1991) and "Black Hawk Down" (2001), as well as a Best Picture nomination for "The Martian" as a producer. He has no competitive Oscar wins. His directorial credits include "Alien," "Blade Runner," and "Gladiator," which won five Oscars including Best Picture. He was made a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire in 2024.
Floyd Norman
An animator who began his career at Walt Disney Animation Studios in 1956 as the studio's first Black animator. He contributed to classics including "Sleeping Beauty," "Mary Poppins," "The Jungle Book," "Robin Hood," "Mulan," "Toy Story 2," and "Monsters, Inc."
Christine Vachon and Pamela Koffler
Producers who co-founded Killer Films in 1995. They received a Best Picture nomination for "Past Lives" in 2024. Their other credits include "Hedwig and the Angry Inch," "One Hour Photo," "Carol," "Boys Don't Cry," "Still Alice," "Far from Heaven," "Velvet Goldmine," "Happiness," and "May December."
Award Criteria
The Honorary Award is presented for "extraordinary distinction in lifetime achievement, exceptional contributions to the state of motion picture arts and sciences in any discipline, or for outstanding service to the Academy."
The Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award is given to a creative producer whose body of work consistently reflects a high standard of motion picture production.
Statement
Academy President Lynette Howell Taylor said: "The Academy's Board of Governors is thrilled to present this year's Governors Awards to five remarkable individuals whose groundbreaking work has forever shaped the art of filmmaking."