Universal Pictures chairman Donna Langley will be recognized by the Producers Guild of America (PGA) this winter. Deadline confirms that Langley is the 2018 recipient of the Milestone Award, the PGA’s most distinguished award. She’ll take home the prize January 20 at the 29th annual PGA Awards in Beverly Hills.
The Milestone Award celebrates those who have made landmark contributions in entertainment. Sherry Lansing is a previous honoree.
“The Producers Guild of America champions what is lifeblood to so many of us — visionary storytelling, fearless creativity, and global filmmaking,” Langley said. “On behalf of the brilliant team at Universal, I want to thank its members for recognizing our work with this prestigious honor.”
Langley has been at Universal since 2001 and was named chairman in 2013. As a studio head, she has pushed to greenlight films “she herself would want to watch.”
“In 2017, she helped lead Universal to its best first quarter in history with five releases within six weeks including ‘Fifty Shades Darker,’ ‘Get Out,’ and ‘Split,’” Deadline details. “In 2015, spurred by the studio’s ‘Furious 7,’ ‘Jurassic World,’ and ‘Minions,’ Universal crossed the $1 billion mark in worldwide box office — a first for any studio.”
Langley’s other box office success include the Amy Schumer vehicle “Trainwreck,” which grossed over $140 million worldwide on a budget of $35 million, and the Sam Taylor-Johnson-helmed “Fifty Shades of Grey,” which netted $571 million worldwide after being made for $40 million.
“Drop Dead Gorgeous” and “Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me” are among Langley’s pre-Universal producing credits.
“Donna Langley is essentially the epitome of a 21st century studio executive,” stated PGA Awards chairs Amy Pascal and Donald De Line. “Not only has she built Universal into a powerhouse through her stewardship of tentpole event films, she’s built her studio into a home for smart, talented, passionate filmmakers — especially for those who color outside the lines or don’t fit into Hollywood’s usual boxes. Donna has redefined the job for a rising generation of creative execs, and we’re privileged to honor her.”
