Oscar celebrates Governors Award recipients
The Board of Governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences presented the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award to Katzenberg, and Honorary Awards to stunt performer Hal Needham, documentary filmmaker D.A. Pennebaker, and arts advocate George Stevens Jr.
The director of "The War Room," Pennebaker is best known for his music-related films in a variety of genres, including "Don't Look Back," "Monterey Pop," "Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars," "John Lennon and the Plastic Ono Band: Sweet Toronto," "Branford Marsalis: The Music Tells You," "101," "Elaine Stritch: At Liberty," and "Down From the Mountain."
Moore called him an inspiration and the inventor of the modern documentary. Pennebaker ditched the tripod and carried his camera on his shoulder, and "all filmmaking changed," Moore said, "nonfiction and fiction."
Stevens founded the American Film Institute and established the Kennedy Center Honors.
In introducing Needham, Tarantino said the director "pushed the boundaries of what could be done in action," adding, "I've ripped off many shots from you."
Ruddy described Needham as "one of the good guys" and "a gift to any producer." Ruddy told a story about making 1982's "Megaforce," which Needham directed. The stuntman helped design a rocket for the film's action sequences, and when he brought it to the Goldwyn lot to demonstrate it, he accidentally launched it into a new soundstage and burnt the whole thing down. Later, while filming another stunt, Needham crashed a motorcycle and got a concussion, but he was back on set shooting the next morning.
"My mom's looking down on tonight with a big smile on her face," he said, choking up and dabbing at his eyes with a handkerchief.
He closed by thanking "the entire Hollywood community for allowing me to be a part of it."
"Mostly, all I did was pick up the phone and ask you," Katzenberg said as he accepted his award. "It's you who did it. You who gave of your time, your talent, your money, your hearts. Because that's what you do. That is what Hollywood does."
