This Saturday, Oprah Winfrey will be the proud recipient of the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Third Annual Governors Awards, not only for her well-received, yet limited appearances in film, but also for all of her philanthropic work, notably her Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa!
Like many, she claimed to be confused by the accolade, and explains:
“I understood it because I was equally surprised. I was surprised because I am not known as an actress. I’ve done film and I love the films that I’ve done. I understand people thinking, ‘Where’s her list of credentials for films,’ but I don’t think there’s room for criticism in the do-good department. Years ago, I gave it to Quincy Jones and I was honored to be on the stage just giving the award. To be the recipient of an award that’s given to you for your contributions toward doing something good for the world or trying to at least make a mark for a force for something that’s positive in the world, I just don’t think that there’s a better honor than that.”
Academy President Tom Shera says that not only is she “one of the most philanthropic performers in the world” and “a perfect example of why this award was created,” but that simply:
“Oprah has given and given and given.”
Courtesy of PerezHilton.com
