November 17, 2013
Jolie, Lansbury, Martin, Tosi Accept Oscars
Robert Nesti READ TIME: 2 MIN.
Brad Pitt kissed Angelina Jolie after her grand entrance at the film academy's Governors Awards Saturday night.
Steve Martin pretended to take a seat at the wrong table a few times before finding the right one, while Angela Lansbury beamed as she entered the room.
The honorary Oscar winners, along with Italian costume designer Piero Tosi, we're honored at a private dinner at the Hollywood & Highland Center.
Tosi wasn't able to attend, but scores of A-listers did, including Tom Hanks, Martin Short, Diane Keaton, Octavia Spencer, Mark Wahlberg, Kathryn Bigelow, Jennifer Garner, Harrison Ford and Alfre Woodard.
Jolie received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, while Martin, Lansbury and Tosi were given honorary Academy Awards for their distinguished careers.
"Receiving the Hersholt award makes me feel like I am on the right path but also reminds me I have more to do," Jolie told The Associated Press this past week.
The actress-director is co-founder of the Prevent Sexual Violence Initiative and serves as special envoy for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
Saturday's black-tie dinner ceremony wasn't televised to preserve a sense of intimacy and allow for ample tributes to each honoree, but clips from the event may be included in the March 2 Oscar telecast. This is the fifth year the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has presented its honorary awards at a separate ceremony.
"This event is a celebration of film, and it is really the beginning of Academy Awards season," said Paula Wagner, who produced the ceremony.
Robert Nesti can be reached at [email protected].