George Clooney to Receive Bob Hope Humanitarian Award
Actor-director-producer Clooney, renowned for his humanitarian efforts, is just the fourth person ever to receive this Bob Hope legacy nod. See Clooney honored live, August 29, on the 62nd Primetime Emmys.
George Clooney, appearing in video above at the time
that he was helping to pull together the Hope for Haiti
telethon, will be honored with the Bob Hope Humanitarian
Award live at the 2010 Primetime Emmys.
The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences announced today that George Clooney will be the fourth ever recipient of the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award, in recognition of his exceptional efforts to mobilize the entertainment industry in service during crises. The award will be presented — for the first time in six years — to Clooney on Sunday, August 29 at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live during the Primetime Emmy® Awards telecast on NBC.
The Bob Hope Humanitarian Award is presented to an individual in the telecommunications industry whose humanitarian work has brought credit to the industry and whose deeds and actions have a lasting impact on society.
Since its establishment in 2002, only three other honorees have been selected to receive this prestigious award — Oprah Winfrey was the inaugural recipient in 2002, followed by Danny Thomas in 2004 (presented posthumously, accepted by his daughter, actress Marlo Thomas). The recipients all serve as lasting role models that demonstrate the positive impact one individual can make, reflecting the life and accomplishments of Bob Hope.
Clooney’s determined commitment and efforts to increase awareness of human rights issues and spark constructive response to international crises make him a worthy recipient for the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award.
Whether it is his advocacy to stop genocide in Darfur, his subsequent founding of Not On Our Watch with Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Don Cheadle and Jerry Weintraub to focus global attention and resources on preventing mass atrocities, or quickly mobilizing the entertainment industry for the America: A Tribute to Heroes in the wake of 9/11, Tsunami Aid: A Concert of Hope in 2005, A Shelter From the Storm: A Concert for the Gulf Coast following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, and most recently, the Hope For Haiti Now telethon, Clooney’s personal dedication to humanitarian concerns makes him the ideal choice for this recognition. (Hope for Haiti Now has been nominated for a 2010 Primetime Emmy in the Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special category.)
Previously, he has been honored with the 2007 Peace Summit Award by The Eighth World Summit of Nobel Peace Prize Laureates, and in 2008, Clooney was designated a United Nations Messenger of Peace, to serve as an advocate on behalf of the U.N. and its peacekeeping efforts.
“George was an obvious choice for this honor,” said John Shaffner, Chairman and CEO, Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. “He has understood and harnessed the power of television, the most powerful medium of our time, to reach into the hearts of people around the world and compelled us to action on behalf of those in sudden and desperate need as well those tragically oppressed in Darfur.”
“Like my own father, George is a person who looks beyond himself to use his celebrity for good, to make a difference in the world, and to inspire others to do the same,” commented Linda Hope. “It’s particularly gratifying that he has been selected for this award, since our families have a history of friendship and a powerful, shared desire to help others.”
The Television Academy Board of Governors established the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award in 2002, as a tribute to the iconic career and life of Bob Hope. This high honor is a nod to the Hope's more than fifty years of pioneering contributions to the radio and television industries, both as family mediums and as platforms for sociopolitical commentary and humanitarian causes. It acknowledges the countless personal humanitarian acts performed by Hope, including his many USO trips to entertain those serving abroad and at home in our military, countless contributions to worthwhile charities, and the like. The Award represents one of the highest honors presented by the Board of Governors of the Television Academy.
Learn more about the Television Academy, its charitable foundation, all its industry-related programs and services at www.emmys.com.