Considered among the Best Actress Oscar frontrunners for her dramatic turn in “Can You Ever Forgive Me?”, Melissa McCarthy has been named as the recipient of Montecito Award from the Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF). The honor is given to a person in the entertainment industry who has made a “great contribution to film,” Deadline reports.
The actress, screenwriter, and producer will be presented with the honor at a ceremony on February 3.
“Melissa McCarthy — always a compelling talent — triumphs as Lee Israel in ‘Can You Ever Forgive Me?’” said SBIFF Executive Director Roger Durling. “She’s funny, dark, caustic, and oh so vulnerable. SBIFF is so pleased to be able to award this performance and her career so far.”
Julianne Moore, Saoirse Ronan, and Isabelle Huppert are among the previous recipients of the award.
McCarthy earned an Oscar nod for her supporting role in “Bridesmaids.” “Spy,” “The Heat,” and “Gilmore Girls” are among her other credits. She co-wrote the scripts for “Tammy,” “The Boss,” and “Life of the Party,” which she also starred in and produced.
Directed by Marielle Heller (“Diary of a Teenage Girl”), “Can You Ever Forgive Me?” is based on a true story. McCarthy plays Lee Israel, a struggling biographer who resorts to forging letters from famous literary figures to pay her bills.
SBIFF runs from January 30-February 9. “The Wife’s” Glenn Close will receive the Maltin Modern Master Award in honor of her longstanding contributions to the film industry.
