Actress Reese Witherspoon, who won a best-actress Oscar for her work in “Walk the Line” and was nominated this year for “Wild,” will receive the 2015 American Cinematheque Award tonight, honoring her career as a performer and producer.
“She has refused to be limited to only certain types of roles and has continued to impress with her varied choices, ranging from smaller roles in dramas such as ‘Mud’ to a tour-de-force, Oscar-nominated performance last year in ‘Wild,”‘ said Rick Nicita, chairman of American Cinematheque.
“She is an active and successful movie producer who is moving her career forward both behind and in front of the camera. The most appropriate role for Reese Witherspoon today is role model.”
The American Cinematheque Award honors a filmmaker “who is fully engaged in his or her work and is committed to making a significant contribution to the art of the motion picture.” Previous recipients include Steven Spielberg, Ron Howard, Rob Reiner, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Denzel Washington, Nicole Kidman, Steve Martin, Julia Roberts, Bette Midler and Robert Downey Jr.
Last year’s winner, Matthew McConaughey, will present the honor to Witherspoon during the ceremony at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza hotel.
Also during the event, DreamWorks Animation CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg will receive American Cinematheque’s inaugural Sid Grauman Award, honoring his achievements in the motion picture industry.
“Both Grauman and Katzenberg advanced the successful exhibition of motion pictures around the world — Sid Grauman with his movie palaces that included the Egyptian and Chinese theaters and Jeffrey Katzenberg with his dynamic leadership as a business and creative force at the top of several major iconic movie companies,” Nicita said.
The American Cinematheque board created the award to honor “an extraordinary individual who has made a significant contribution to the Hollywood film industry in the continuing advancement of theatrical exhibition.”
Among those expected to attend the event are Jennifer Aniston, Laura Dern, Jennifer Garner, Kate Hudson, Alexander Payne and Sofia Vergara. Kenny Chesney is scheduled to perform.
