Mel Brooks to Present Steve Martin With American Film Institute Life Achievement Award

Details

Category: Entertainment News

Published on Monday, 25 May 2015 12:46

Written by AFI

Mel Brooks will present Steve Martin with the American Film Institute's 43rd Life Achievement Award — America's highest honor for a career in film. Martin will be recognized as one of the most acclaimed artists of his generation.

The private black tie gala will be held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on June 4 and will premiere Saturday, June 13, at10 p.m.(EST/PST) on TBS, with an encore at11:30 p.m.(EST/PST). Sister network TCM will present an encore of the special onThursday, July 30, at8 p.m.(EST/PST) during a night of movies starring Martin.

As the 41st AFI Life Achievement Award recipient in 2013, Brooks is also in an elite group as an "EGOT" — an artist who has received all four major entertainment prizes: the Emmy^®, Grammy^®, Oscar^®and Tony^®awards.

Most recently Brooks was awarded the British Film Institute Fellowship — the British Film Institute's highest possible honor.

Brooks has written, directed, produced and starred in many classic comedies, including THE PRODUCERS (1967), BLAZING SADDLES (1974), YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN (1974), SILENT MOVIE (1976), HIGH ANXIETY (1977), HISTORY OF THE WORLD PART 1 (1981), TO BE OR NOT TO BE (1983), SPACEBALLS (1987), ROBIN HOOD: MEN IN TIGHTS (1993) and DRACULA: DEAD AND LOVING IT (1995).

His visionary film company, Brooksfilms Limited, also produced critically acclaimed films such as MY FAVORITE YEAR (1982), THE FLY (1986), 84 CHARING CROSS ROAD (1987) and the Academy Award^®-nominated THE ELEPHANT MAN (1980).

Steve Martin is an actor, comedian, author, playwright, screenwriter, producer and musician. Recipient of an Emmy^®, four Grammy Awards^®, a Kennedy Center Honor and an Honorary Oscar^®, Martin first rose to prominence as a stand-up comedian and quickly established himself as a leading man with a body of work defined by his unique creative voice.

In his break-out role in THE JERK (1979), which he also co-wrote, Martin's distinct comedic sensibilities launched him into the zeitgeist. He went on to become a bankable big-screen star, with distinct roles in films such as PENNIES FROM HEAVEN (1981), DEAD MEN DON'T WEAR PLAID (1982), THE MAN WITH TWO BRAINS (1983), THREE AMIGOS! (1986), LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (1986) and DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS (1988), ALL OF ME (1984), PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES (1987), ROXANNE (1987) and FATHER OF THE BRIDE parts I and II (1991, 1995), PARENTHOOD (1989), GRAND CANYON (1991), L.A. STORY (1991) and SHOPGIRL (2005) — a film which he wrote based on his novella of the same name.

In addition to his beloved film credits and his successful writing career, Martin is also an accomplished musician. Martin recently premiered his new musical BRIGHT STAR, at the Old Globe Theater featuring original music by Martin and songwriter Edie Brickell, inspired by their Grammy Award^®-winning collaboration "Love Has Come For You."

"Steve Martin is an American original," said Sir Howard Stringer, Chair of the AFI Board of Trustees. "From a wild and crazy stand-up comic to one who stands tall among the great figures in this American art form, he is a multi-layered creative force bound by neither convention nor caution.

His work is defined by him alone, for he is the author — and a national treasure whose work has stuck with us like an arrow in the head. AFI is proud to present him with its 43rd Life Achievement Award." Proceeds from the AFI Life Achievement Award Gala Tribute event directly support the Institute's national education programs.

About TBS

TBS is basic cable's #1 entertainment network among young adults in primetime. Available in 101 million households, TBS features such original comedies as American Dad!,Your Family or Mine and the upcoming Angie Tribeca and Clipped. TBS also features unscripted originals like King of the Nerds and Meet the Smiths. In late night TBS, is home to the Emmy®-winning series CONAN, starring Conan O'Brien. The TBS lineup also includes popular contemporary comedies, such as The Big Bang Theory and Family Guy, along with blockbuster movies and championship sports.

TBS is part of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company. Turner Broadcasting creates and programs branded news; entertainment; kids and young adult; and sports media environments on television and other platforms for consumers around the world.

About Turner Classic Movies (TCM)

Turner Classic Movies (TCM) is a two-time Peabody Award-winning network that presents great films, uncut and commercial-free, from the largest film libraries in the world. TCM, which is available in more than 85 million homes, features the insights of hosts Robert Osborne and Ben Mankiewicz, plus interviews with a wide range of special guests.

Currently in its 20th year as a leading authority in classic film, TCM offers critically acclaimed original documentaries and specials; film series like The Essentials, hosted by Robert Osborne and Drew Barrymore, and Friday Night Spotlight; and annual programming events like 31 Days of Oscar^®in February, Summer Under the Stars in August and TCM Essentials Jr. during the summer. TCM also connects with movie fans through such events as the annual TCM Classic Film Festival in Hollywood and the TCM Classic Cruise, as well as through the TCM Classic Film Tour in New York City.

In addition, TCM produces a wide range of media about classic film, including books and DVDs, and hosts a wealth of material online attcm.com and through the Watch TCM mobile app. TCM is part of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company. Turner Broadcasting creates and programs branded news; entertainment; animation and young adult; and sports media environments on television and other platforms for consumers around the world. Connect with Turner Classic Movies at www.tcm.com,pressroom.turner.com/us/tcm,facebook.com/tcmtv,twitter.com/tcm,twitter.com/tcmpr and shop.tcm.com

About the AFI Life Achievement Award

The highest honor given for a career in film, the AFI Life Achievement Award was established by the AFI Board of Trustees on February 26, 1973. It is presented to a single honoree each year based on the following criteria as mandated through a resolution passed by the AFI Board of Trustees:

"The recipient should be one whose talent has in a fundamental way advanced the film art; whose accomplishment has been acknowledged by scholars, critics, professional peers and the general public; and whose work has stood the test of time."

About the American Film Institute

AFI is America's promise to preserve the heritage of the motion picture, to honor the artists and their work and to educate the next generation of storytellers. AFI programs also include the AFI Catalog of Feature Films and AFI Archive, which preserve film heritage for future generations;AFI Awards, honoring the most outstanding motion pictures and television programs of the year.

AFI's 100 Years…100 Moviestelevision events and movie reference lists, which have introduced and reintroduced classic American movies to millions of film lovers; year-round and special event exhibition through AFI FEST presented by Audi,AFI DOCSand the AFI Silver Theatre; and educating the next generation of storytellers at the world renowned AFI Conservatory. For more information about AFI, visit AFI.com or connect with AFI at twitter.com/AmericanFilm,facebook.com/AmericanFilmInstitute and youtube.com/AFI.