TV and film leader Tyler Perry will receive the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian of The Year award at the 93rd Annual Academy Awards this year.
The ceremony is set to take place on April 25, and the Motion Picture and Television Fund will also be awarded for their outreach efforts.
Perry, who unveiled his 330-acre studio lot in 2019, has made extensive financial contributions to the Atlanta, Georgia community over the years. Last year, given the economic fallout of the coronavirus pandemic, his generosity was well-needed and applauded.
“There has been such widespread generosity in our industry that limiting the Hersholt Humanitarian Award to one recipient, this year in particular, was impossible,” Academy President David Rubin said according to a report by Deadline. “Tyler’s cultural influence extends far beyond his work as a filmmaker. He has quietly and steadily focused on humanitarian and social justice causes from the beginning of his career, caring for people who are most often ignored.”
His philanthropic entity, The Perry Foundation was established in 2006 and has partnered with dozens of organizations.
Outside of formal partnerships, Perry is known for covering the costs of groceries for entire stores, paying off layaway fees and handing out meals during the holidays.
Typically, the Hersholt Award is given out in a separate, later ceremony, but due to the pandemic, Perry will receive the award during the main Oscars ceremony.
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