The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences announced on Jan. 14 that its Board of Governors voted to present Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Awards to filmmaker Tyler Perry and to the Motion Picture & Television Fund. The Oscar statuettes will be presented at the 93rd Oscars, which airs live on ABC and broadcast outlets worldwide on Sunday, April 25.

“There has been such widespread generosity in our industry that limiting the Hersholt Humanitarian Award to one recipient, this year in particular, was impossible. So, we are breaking with tradition and giving two awards to honor that spirit,” Academy President David Rubin said. “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. The work of the MPTF is more vital than ever, and the organization has gone above and beyond to help our community. The sheer number of individuals and families – from every corner of our industry’s workforce – aided during the pandemic and over the last 100 years is nothing short of extraordinary.”

Perry is a prolific producer, director, actor, writer, entrepreneur and philanthropist, whose commitment to a wide spectrum of charitable and social justice causes has been particularly impactful during the challenges of the past year, addressing economic distress caused by the pandemic, racial reckoning and homelessness in his community.

Now in its 100th year, the MPTF offers a variety of services to provide emotional and financial relief to entertainment industry members and their families during times of need, including case management, financial assistance for basic living expenses, palliative care, and senior and childcare services. The organization’s contribution during the pandemic has made a significant impact on the entertainment community, providing social services support to nearly 9,000 industry members in 2020. Jean Hersholt, for whom the Academy’s humanitarian award is named, served as president of the fund for 18 years, from 1938 until his death in 1956.

The Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award is an Oscar statuette. This is the first time an organization will be recognized with this award.

The awards will be presented during the Oscars in lieu of the Academy’s Governors Awards, an annual ceremony in the fall, where the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award is customarily presented.

For information, visit oscars.org.