Tyler Perry, Regina King, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor and ‘The Best Man’s’ Malcolm D. Lee will be honored at the Critics Choice Association‘s 7th annual Celebration of Black Cinema and Television.
Actor and comedian Jay Pharoah, best known for “Saturday Night Live” and his recent comedy special “Jared”, will host the gala, held Dec. 9 at the Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles. The ceremony will air on Starz in January 2025.
Perry will be presented with the Icon Award, celebrating his body of work. In addition to his upcoming film Netflix’s “The Six Triple Eight” (which he wrote, directed and produced), Perry has helmed 24 feature films, 20 stage plays, 17 television shows and penned two New York Times bestselling books, in addition to establishing the 330-acre Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta.
Lee will be recognized with the Career Achievement Award for his work as a writer-director behind such films as “Girls Trip,” “Undercover Brother” and “Space Jam: A New Legacy,” as well as “The Best Man” franchise, which marks its 25th anniversary this year.
Oscar and Emmy winner King will receive the Trailblazer Award for her career, most recently marked by portraying Shirley Chisholm in the Netflix biopic “Shirley,” which captured the first Black Congresswoman and her historic presidential campaign in 1972.
Oscar and Emmy nominee Ellis-Taylor will be honored with the Social Impact Award for her passionate advocacy for social justice both off-screen as the founder and CEO of Miss Myrtis films and co-founder of Take it Down America, as well as on camera, in Orion Pictures and Amazon MGM Studios’ “Nickel Boys.” The performance caps a stellar year for Ellis-Taylor, who also starred in Searchlight’s “The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can Eat,” Neflix’s “The Deliverance” and Roadside Attractions’ “Exhibiting Forgiveness.”
“2024 was an exceptional year. There were so many great stories about the Black experience, and this event is a celebration of the power of those stories which have shaped and moved the entertainment industry,” said Shawn Edwards, who will serve as the executive producer and writer for the ceremony. “It’s a true acknowledgment of the profound impact of Black Cinema and Television on today’s culture and society.”
In addition to Perry, Lee, King and Ellis-Taylor, Oscar winner Steve McQueen will be presented with the Director Award for his latest feature, Apple Original Films’ “Blitz.” Natasha Rothwell will receive two awards — the Producer Award for her Hulu series “How to Die Alone” and the #TakeTheLead prize from Starz, which is the media partner for the award. The special designation is intended to represent the Starz’ “commitment to amplifying narratives by, about, and for women and underrepresented audiences.”
“Daughters” directors Angela Patton and Natalie Rae will accept the Documentary Award on behalf of their Netflix documentary, which centers on a group of young girls preparing for a dance with their incarcerated fathers. Oscar winner and Emmy and Grammy nominee Kris Bowers will be honored with the Composer Award for his work on Dreamworks Animation’s “The Wild Robot.”
The film actor awards will go to Emmy, Grammy and Tony winner and Oscar nominee Cynthia Erivo for her performance in Universal’s “Wicked” and John David Washington for starring Netflix’s film adaptation of August Wilson’s “The Piano Lesson.” The series actor award goes to Wendell Pierce for his work on CBS’ “Elsbeth.”
The Breakthrough Actor Award will be presented to Emmy and Critics Choice Award winner Jharrel Jerome (Amazon MGM Studios’ “Unstoppable”). The Rising Star Award for film goes to actor and musician Ryan Destiny (Amazon MGM Studios’ “The Fire Inside”) and the corresponding Rising Star series award will be presented to Michael Rainey Jr. (Starz’ “Power Book II: Ghost”).
Top row (from L to R): Tyler Perry, Malcolm D. Lee, Regina King, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Steve McQueen, Natasha Rothwell and Kris Bowers.
Bottom row (from L to R): Cynthia Erivo, John David Washington, Wendell Pierce, Jharrel Jerome, Ryan Destiny, Michael Rainey Jr. and Jay Pharoah.
