Charlize Theron has been named the 2019 recipient of the American Cinematheque Award. A press release announced that the Oscar winner will be presented with the honor November 8 in Beverly Hills. The evening will include in-person tributes from some of Theron’s colleagues and friends.
Theron was last seen in this year’s “Long Shot,” a rom-com in which she portrays the United States Secretary of State.
“Charlize Theron is making a significant contribution to the art of motion pictures while breaking through outmoded limitations on what an actress and producer can do,” said American Cinematheque Chairman Rick Nicita. He emphasized that “her immense talent cannot be categorized or confined.”
Theron won an Oscar for her portrayal of serial killer Aileen Wuornos in Patty Jenkins’ “Monster.” She received a second nod for Niki Caro’s “North County,” the story of a miner combating sexual abuse.
Including Theron, there have been 33 recipients of the award, and seven of them have been women. Theron follows in the footsteps of Bette Midler, Jodie Foster, Nicole Kidman, Julia Roberts, Reese Witherspoon, and Amy Adams. A woman of color has yet to receive the honor, which recognizes “an extraordinary filmmaker in the entertainment industry, who is fully engaged in his or her work and is committed to making a significant contribution to the art of the motion picture.”
Theron’s upcoming projects include a drama inspired by the women who took on Fox News boss and serial sexual harasser Roger Ailes, Gina Prince-Bythewood comic adaptation “The Old Guard,” and a sequel to her 2017 spy thriller “Atomic Blonde.”
