Octavia Spencer has previously been honored as an actress and as an LGBTQ ally — and now she’ll be celebrated as a producer. Deadline confirms the “Truth Be Told” actress and EP will receive the Producers Guild of America’s (PGA) Visionary Award. The prize is for producers “who share inspiring, uplifting stories that add unique value to society and culture.”
Spencer will accept the honor at the PGA Awards on January 18.
“As both an actor and as a producer, Octavia has provided her keen vision to an array of poignant stories across drama, comedy, and everything in between,” stated PGA presidents Gail Berman and Lucy Fisher. “She understands how to harness the power of filmmaking to inspire audiences everywhere with stories that showcase undeniable human truths and emotion.”
“It is an honor to receive the PGA Visionary Award,” Spencer said. “From the very beginning of my career in entertainment, I have been guided by my dream to create an impact through storytelling. This is an incredible highlight for me, and I extend my deepest thanks to the PGA for this award.”
Previous honorees include Ava DuVernay and Megan Ellison.
Spencer portrays a true-crime podcaster realizing she may have helped put an innocent man in prison in “Truth Be Told,” which begins streaming December 6 on Apple TV.
She’s also starring in and exec producing Netflix’s upcoming miniseries about black hair care pioneer and mogul Madam C.J. Walker. “Ma,” “Fruitvale Station,” and “Green Book” are among her other producing credits. She appeared in the former two.
A three-time Academy Award nominee, Spencer took home an Oscar in 2012 for “The Help.” She later received nods for “Hidden Figures” and “The Shape of Water.”
“The role I’m destined to play is to be one of the greatest producers in Hollywood,” Spencer has said. “It’s terrifying because it’s a huge undertaking, but I want to be a conduit for storytellers.” She explained, “I’m really drawn to stories that haven’t really been told … I want to see all shapes and sizes, all ages, all religions because that’s what our society is comprised of.”
