Academy Honorary Award

The Academy Honorary Award is given irregularly to celebrate achievements that are not covered by the competitive. Often it is given to reflect a lifetime of achievement.

See also: Academy Award

List of Academy Honorary Award winners

For this award the year refers to the year during which the award was actually given.

1946 -
1947 - Ernst Lubitsch - For his distinguished contributions to the art of the motion picture (certificate).
1947 - Harold Russell - For bringing hope and courage to his fellow veterans through his appearance in The Best Years of Our Lives.
1947 - Laurence Olivier - The Chronicle History of King Henry the Fift with his Battell at Agincourt in France - For his Outstanding achievement as actor, producer and director in bringing Henry V to the screen.
1948 - William Nicholas Selig; Albert E. Smith; Thomas Armat; George K. Spoor - (One of) the small group of pioneers whose belief in a new medium, and whose contributions to its development, blazed the trail along which the motion picture has progressed, in their lifetime, from obscurity to world-wide acclaim.
1948 - Bill and Coo - In which artistry and patience blended in a novel and entertaining use of the medium of motion pictures (plaque).
1949 - Sciuscià - Italy. The high quality of this Italian-made motion picture, brought to eloquent life in a country scarred by war, is proof to the world that the creative spirit can triumph over adversity.
1949 - James Baskett - For his able and heart-warming characterization of Uncle Remus, friend and story teller to the children of the world, in Walt Disney's Song of the South.
1949 - Sid Grauman - Master showman, who raised the standard of exhibition of motion pictures.
1949 - Adolph Zukor - A man who has been called the father of the feature film in America, for his services to the industry over a period of forty years.
1949 - Walter Wanger - For distinguished service to the industry in adding to its moral stature in the world community by his production of the picture Joan of Arc.
1949 - Monsieur Vincent - France. Voted by the Academy Board of Governors as the most outstanding foreign language film released in the United States during 1948.
1950 - Fred Astaire - For his unique artistry and his contributions to the technique of musical pictures.
1950 - Cecil B. DeMille - Distinguished motion picture pioneer for 37 years of brilliant showmanship.
1950 - Jean Hersholt - For distinguished service to the motion picture industry.
1950 - Ladri di biciclette - Italy. Voted by the Academy Board of Governors as the most outstanding foreign language film released in the United States during 1949.
1951 - Louis B. Mayer - For distinguished service to the motion picture industry.
1951 - George Murphy - For his services in interpreting the film industry to the country at large.
1951 - Au-delà des grilles - France/Italy. Voted by the Board of Governors as the most outstanding foreign language film released in the United States in 1950.
1952 - Gene Kelly - In appreciation of his versatility as an actor, singer, director and dancer, and specifically for his brilliant achievements in the art of choreography on film.
1952 - Rashômon - Japan. Voted by the Board of Governors as the most outstanding foreign language film released in the United States during 1951.
1953 - Merian C. Cooper - For his many innovations and contributions to the art of motion pictures.
1953 - Bob Hope - For his contribution to the laughter of the world, his service to the motion picture industry, and his devotion to the American premise.
1953 - Harold Lloyd - Master comedian and good citizen.
1953 - George Alfred Mitchell - For the design and development of the camera which bears his name and for his continued and dominant presence in the field of cinematography.
1953 - Joseph M. Schenck - For long and distinguished service to the motion picture industry.
1953 - Jeux interdits - France. Best Foreign Language Film first released in the United States during 1952.
1954 - 20th Century-Fox Film Corp - In recognition of their imagination, showmanship and foresight in introducing the revolutionary process known as CinemaScope.
1954 - Bell and Howell Co - For their pioneering and basic achievements in the advancement of the motion picture industry.
1954 - Joseph Breen - For his conscientious, open-minded and dignified management of the Motion Picture Production Code.
1954 - Pete Smith - For his witty and pungent observations on the American scene in his series of "Pete Smith Specialties".
1955 - Bausch & Lomb Optical Co - For their contributions to the advancement of the motion picture industry.
1955 - Greta Garbo - For her unforgettable screen performances.
1955 - Danny Kaye - For his unique talents, his service to the Academy, the motion picture industry, and the American people.
1955 - Kemp Niver - For the development of the Renovare Process which has made possible the restoration of the Library of Congress Paper Film Collection.
1955 - Jon Whiteley - For his outstanding juvenile performance in The Little Kidnappers.
1955 - Vincent Winter - For his outstanding performance in The Little Kidnappers (miniature statuette).
1955 - Jigokumon - Japan. Best Foreign Language Film first released in the United States during 1954.
1956 - Miyamoto Musashi Japan. Best Foreign Language Film first released in the United States during 1955.
1957 - Eddie Cantor - For distinguished service to the film industry.
1958 - Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers - For their contributions to the advancement of the motion picture industry.
1958 - Gilbert M. Anderson 'Broncho Billy' - Motion picture pioneer, for his contributions to the development of motion pictures as entertainment.
1959 - Charles Brackett - For outstanding service to the Academy.
1959 - B. B. Kahane - For distinguished service to the motion picture industry.
1959 - Maurice Chevalier - For his contributions to the world of entertainment for more than half a century.
1960 - Lee De Forest - For his pioneering inventions which brought sound to the motion picture.
1960 - Buster Keaton - For his unique talents which brought immortal comedies to the screen.
1961 - Gary Cooper - For his many memorable screen performances and the international recognition he, as an individual, has gained for the motion picture industry.
1961 - Stan Laurel - For his creative pioneering in the field of cinema comedy.
1962 - Fred L. Metzler - For his dedication and outstanding service to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
1962 - Jerome Robbins -For his brilliant achievements in the art of choreography on film.
1962 - William L. Hendricks - For his outstanding patriotic service in the conception, writing and production of the Marine Corps film, A Force in Readiness, which has brought honor to the Academy and the motion picture industry.
1963 - none
1964 - none
1965 - William Tuttle - For his outstanding make-up achievement for 7 Faces of Dr. Lao.
1966 - Bob Hope - For unique and distinguished service to our industry and the Academy (gold medal).
1967 - Yakima Canutt - For achievements as a stunt man and for developing safety devices to protect stunt men everywhere.
1967 - Y. Frank Freeman - For unusual and outstanding service to the Academy during his thirty years in Hollywood.
1968 - Arthur Freed - For distinguished service to the Academy and the production of six top-rated Awards telecasts.
1969 - Onna White - For her outstanding choreography achievement for Oliver.
1969 - John Chambers - Planet of the Apes - For his outstanding make-up achievement in the movie.
1970 - Cary Grant - For his unique mastery of the art of screen acting with the respect and affection of his colleagues.
1971 - Lillian Gish - For superlative artistry and for distinguished contribution to the progress of motion pictures.
1971 - Orson Welles - For superlative artistry and versatility in the creation of motion pictures.
1972 - Charlie Chaplin - For the incalculable effect he has had in making motion pictures the art form of this century. - (recieved longest standing ovation in the history of the Awards)
1973 - Charles S. Boren - Leader for 38 years of the industry's enlightened labor relations and architect of its policy of non-discrimination. With the respect and affection of all who work in films.
1973 - Edward G. Robinson - Who achieved greatness as a player, a patron of the arts, and a dedicated citizen ... in sum, a Renaissance man. From his friends in the industry he loves.
1974 - Henri Langlois - For his devotion to the art of film, his massive contributions in preserving its past and his unswerving faith in its future.
1974 - Groucho Marx - In recognition of his brilliant creativity and for the unequaled achievements of the Marx Brothers in the art of motion picture comedy.
1975 - Howard Hawks - A master American filmmaker whose creative efforts hold a distinguished place in world cinema.
1975 - Jean Renoir - A genius who, with grace, responsibility and enviable devotion through silent film, sound film, feature, documentary and television has won the world's admiration.
1976 - Mary Pickford - In recognition of her unique contributions to the film industry and the development of film as an artistic medium.
1977 - none
1978 - Margaret Booth - For her exceptional contribution to the art of film editing in the motion picture industry.
1979 - Museum of Modern Art, Dept. of Film - For the contribution it has made to the public's perception of movies as an art form.
1979 - Walter Lantz - For bringing joy and laughter to every part of the world through his unique animated motion pictures.
1979 - Laurence Olivier - For the full body of his work, for the unique achievements of his entire career and his lifetime of contribution to the art of film.
1979 - King Vidor - For his incomparable achievements as a cinematic creator and innovator.
1980 - Hal Elias - For his dedication and distinguished service to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
1980 - Alec Guinness - For advancing the art of screen acting through a host of memorable and distinguished performances.
1981 - Henry Fonda - The consummate actor, in recognition of his brilliant accomplishments and enduring contribution to the art of motion pictures
1982 - Barbara Stanwyck - For superlative creativity and unique contribution to the art of screen acting
1983 - Mickey Rooney - In recognition of his 50 years of versatility in a variety of memorable film performances.
1984 - Hal Roach - In recognition of his unparalleled record of distinguished contributions to the motion picture art form.
1985 - The National Endowment - For the Arts in recognition of its 20th anniversary and its dedicated commitment to fostering artistic and creative activity and excellence in every area of the arts.
1985 - James Stewart - For his fifty years of memorable performances,, for his high ideals both on and off the screen, with respect and affection of his colleagues.
1986 - Paul Newman - In recognition of his many and memorable and compelling screen performances and for his personal integrity and dedication to his craft.
1986 - Alex North - In recognition of his brilliant artistry in the creation of memorable music for a host of distinguished motion pictures.
1987 - Ralph Bellamy - For his unique artistry and his distinguished service to the profession of acting.
1988 - none
1989 - Eastman Kodak Co. - For 100 years of service and achievement.
1989 - National Film Board of Canada - In recognition of its fiftieth anniversary and its dedicated commitment to originate artistic, creative and technological activity and excellence in every area of filmmaking.
1990 - Akira Kurosawa - For cinematic accomplishments that have inspired, delighted, enriched and entertained worldwide audiences and influenced filmmakers throughout the world.
1991 - Sophia Loren - For a career rich with memorable performances that has added permanent luster to our art form
1991 - Myrna Loy - For her career achievement.
1992 - Satyajit Ray - For his rare mastery of the art of motion pictures and for his profound humanitarian outlook, which has had an indelible influence on filmmakers and audiences throughout the world.
1993 - Federico Fellini - In recognition of his cinematic accomplishments that have thrilled and entertained worldwide audiences.
1994 - Deborah Kerr - An artist of impeccable grace and beauty, a dedicated actress whose motion picture career has always stood for perfection, discipline and elegance.
1995 - Michelangelo Antonioni
1996 - Kirk Douglas - For 50 years as a creative and moral force in the motion picture community.
1996 - Chuck Jones - For the creation of classic cartoons and cartoon characters whose animated lives have brought joy to our real ones for more than a half century
1997 - Michael Kidd - In recognition of his services to the art of the dance in the art of the screen
1998 - Stanley Donen - In appreciation of a body of work marked by grace, elegance, wit and visual innovation
1999 - Elia Kazan - In appreciation of a long, distinguished and unparalleled career during which he has influenced the very nature of filmmaking through his creation of cinematic masterpieces.
2000 - Andrzej Wajda
2001 - Jack Cardiff
2001 - Ernest Lehman - In appreciation of a body of varied and enduring work
2002 - Sidney Poitier - For his extraordinary performances and unique presence on the screen and for representing the industry with dignity, style and intelligence
2002 - Robert Redford - Actor, director, producer, creator of Sundance, inspiration to independent and innovative filmmakers everywhere.
2003 - Peter O'Toole - whose remarkable talents have provided cinema history with some of its most memorable characters.
2004 - Blake Edwards - In recognition of his writing, directing and producing an extraordinary body of work for the screen