Tribute to Air Exclusively on AMC on December 9, 2008
New York, NY – Thursday, September 25, 2008 – The 23rd American Cinematheque Award will be presented to award-winning actor Samuel L. Jackson at the Cinematheque’s annual benefit gala, American Cinematheque Board chairman Rick Nicita announced today. The presentation takes place Monday, December 1, 2008 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel’s International Ballroom in Beverly Hills.
"The American Cinematheque is extremely pleased to honor Samuel L. Jackson at our celebration this year," said Rick Nicita. Samuel L. Jackson is a professional’s movie star. The obvious talent and commitment that he brings to each role has resulted in what is arguably the highest total boxoffice gross of any actor in movie history. He has brought his unique brand of conviction and charisma to iconic blockbusters like the STAR WARS Trilogy and his Academy Award nominated role in PULP FICTION, as well as to literally dozens of pictures praised by critics and embraced by the public. We are happy to honor him for what he has given us so far in his acclaimed career."
Jackson was the unanimous choice of the Cinematheque Board of Directors selection committee, which since 1986, has annually honored an extraordinary artist (actor, director or writer) in the entertainment industry, who is fully engaged in his or her work and is committed to making a significant contribution to the art of the motion picture.
"AMC will once again provide our viewers with front row seats to one of the greatest Hollywood events of the year as it celebrates the career of Samuel L. Jackson," stated Charlie Collier, Executive Vice President and General Manager of AMC. "With five films in production just this year, Samuel L. Jackson is the hardest working actor in Hollywood, and by the looks of it, he’s just getting warmed up. From drama to action to comedy, Jackson is one of the most revered and versatile actors Hollywood has ever seen. He has already made an indelible mark on American cinema with his iconic roles and exemplifies what it means to be a legend in your own time. AMC will air the tribute on December 9, 2008. The network has been the exclusive broadcast partner of the annual event since 2003.
The executive producers of the show are Paul Flattery and Barbara Smith. Irene Crinita is the producer. Co-chairs and presenters of the event will be announced as they are confirmed. Corrinne Mann is the benefit producer.
Respectfully labeled as one of the hardest working actors in Hollywood, Jackson is an undisputed star as demonstrated in the fact that his films have grossed the most money in box office sales than any other actor in the history of filmmaking.
The recipient of worldwide acclaim and notoriety, Jackson has been honored with a variety of awards from some of the most prestigious organizations. He won the Best Supporting Actor award by the Cannes Film Festival in 1991 for "Jungle Fever", the Silver Bear Award at the Berlin Film Festival in 1998 on behalf of "Jackie Brown," he has received three Golden Globe nominations for "Pulp Fiction," "A Time to Kill" and "Jackie Brown," five NAACP Image Award nominations and one win in 2005 for his performance in "Coach Carter", and most recently he has garnered two People’s Choice Award nominations in 2006 and 2007 for Favorite Male Actor.
Jackson made an indelible mark on American cinema with his portrayal of ’Jules’, the philosophizing hitman, in Quentin Tarantino’s "Pulp Fiction." In addition to unanimous critical acclaim for his performance, he received Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations as Best Supporting Actor as well as a Best Supporting Actor award from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts.
Among his many award-winning performances, Jackson made movie history with his portrayal of a crack addict in Spike Lee’s "Jungle Fever" when he was awarded the first and only Best Supporting Performance Award ever given by the judges at the Cannes Film Festival.
Jackson was most recently seen in "Iron Man" in a surprise cameo appearance and in the Doug Liman directed sci-fi, action film, "Jumper." Late 2007, Jackson had a supporting role in the very successful horror film for the Weinstein Co. "1408" based on the Stephen King novel. Earlier this year, Jackson starred in the Craig Brewer film "Black Snake Moan," and Irwin Winkler’s MGM war drama "Home of the Brave."
This Fall, Jackson’s films will include the Neil LaBute thriller "Lakeview Terrace," followed by the Dimension Studios comedy "Soul Men" and then on Christmas, Jackson stars in the Frank Miller action drama "The Spirit" , where he portrays the nemesis, "Octopus."
Other film credits include "Snakes on a Plane," "Coach Carter," "Star Wars" trilogy, "In My Country," "The Man," "The Incredibles," "S.W.A.T.," "Formula 51," "Changing Lanes," "Caveman’s Valentine," "Red Violin," "Shaft," "Unbreakable," "187," "Eve’s Bayou," "Jackie Brown," "The Negotiator," "A Time To Kill," "Die Hard with a Vengeance", "The Long Kiss Goodnight" and "Deep Blue Sea."
On the small screen, Jackson serves as Executive Producer for the animated series for Spike TV, "Afro Samurai" which premiered in 2007 and will be returning for a second season in January 2009. He also just secured a first look television deal with CBS and their properties to produce and develop upcoming projects. In addition, Jackson has a production deal with New Line Studios to produce and develop projects in which he has the option of starring. His first film project for the studio, in which Jackson will produce and star, is called "Man That Rocks the Cradle."
Eddie Murphy received the first American Cinematheque Award in 1986. Previous honorees are as follows: Bette Midler (1987); Robin Williams (1988); Steven Spielberg (1989); Ron Howard (1990); Martin Scorsese (1991); Sean Connery (1992); Michael Douglas (1993); Rob Reiner (1994); Mel Gibson (1995); Tom Cruise (1996); John Travolta (1997); Arnold Schwarzenegger (1998); Jodie Foster (1999); Bruce Willis (2000); Nicolas Cage (2001); Denzel Washington (2002); Nicole Kidman (2003), Steve Martin (2004); Al Pacino (2005) George Clooney (2006) and Julia Roberts (2007).
One thousand entertainment industry notables are expected to attend the Tribute. This annual
event is the American Cinematheque’s most important benefit, providing funds for the non-profit film exhibition organization’s programs throughout the year and operation of the historic landmark Egyptian Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard as well as the Aero Theatre in Santa Monica on Montana Avenue.
Tickets to the Cinematheque Tribute, an elegant black-tie dinner followed by a multi-media award show start at $550. Call Mann Productions for tickets and further information: 323.314.7000. Please note that this event was formerly known as the Moving Picture Ball.
Established in 1981, the American Cinematheque is a non-profit viewer-supported film exhibition and cultural organization dedicated to the celebration of the Moving Picture in all of its forms. At the Egyptian Theatre, the Cinematheque presents daily film and video programming which ranges from the classics of American and international cinema to new independent films and digital work. Exhibition of rare works, special and rare prints, etc., combined with fascinating post-screening discussions with the filmmakers who created the work, are a Cinematheque tradition that keep audiences coming back for once-in-a-lifetime cinema experiences. The American Cinematheque renovated and reopened (on December 4, 1998) the historic 1922 Hollywood Egyptian Theatre which celebrates its 85th anniversary this year. This includes a state-of-the-art 616-seat theatre housed within Sid Grauman’s first grand movie palace on Hollywood Boulevard. The exotic courtyard is fully restored to its 1922 grandeur.
The Egyptian was the home of the very first Hollywood movie premiere in 1922. In early 2005 the American Cinematheque expanded its programming to the 1940 Aero Theatre in Santa Monica.
About AMC
AMC is a multi-platform network that celebrates classic movies and high-quality scripted series. Among the elite services available in nearly 93 million homes (Source: Nielsen Media Research), AMC defines what it means to be a classic movie network today, creating a distinctive viewing experience that celebrates all that is enduringly cool, personal and powerfully relevant about movies. AMC’s comprehensive library of popular movies strike a meaningful chord with its audience, and its critically-acclaimed slate of originals all have a cinematic quality that allow them to complement and be complemented by some of the best movies of all time. AMC is a subsidiary of Rainbow Media Holdings LLC, which includes sister networks IFC, WE tv and Sundance Channel. AMC is THE FUTURE OF CLASSIC.
To obtain press credentials for this event, please send a fax on letterhead from your outlet to request an application form. Indicate that you have a specific assignment and when the coverage will air/appear in print. Fax to Margot Gerber at 323 461 9737 by Monday, November 17, 2008. Registration forms will be available in late October. Credentials will be confirmed the week of November 17th. No e-mailed or verbal requests can be honored.
A photo of Samuel L. Jackson (to run with an announcement story) is available upon request from Margot Gerber or WKT Public Relations.