Movies and TV Entertainment and Culture Celebrities

Tyler Perry’s work, foundation honored with 2020 Governors Award from TV Academy

Perry has so far created 22 feature films, over 20 stage plays, 13 television shows and two bestselling books.

By Associated Press

Mark Kennedy, AP Entertainment Writer

Actor-filmmaker and author Tyler Perry poses for a portrait in New York in 2017.

NEW YORK — Tyler Perry has won awards from the NAACP and BET. Now he’s getting a big one from the Television Academy: He and his foundation are the recipients of the 2020 Governors Award.

The prize, picked by the academy board of governors, honors Perry “for his unprecedented achievements in television and his commitment to offering opportunities to marginalized communities.”

Perry has so far created 22 feature films, over 20 stage plays, 13 television shows and two bestselling books. The Atlanta-based producer was one of the first major filmmakers to power back up production in the wake of the coronavirus health crisis.

“Tyler Perry has changed the face of television and inspired a new generation of content creators. He pioneered a new brand of storytelling that engages people of color both in front of and behind the camera, and his shows have resonated with a global audience,” said Governors Award selection committee Chair Eva Basler in a statement.

The award honors an individual or organization in the television arts and sciences whose achievement is “so exceptional and universal in nature that it goes beyond the scope of annual Emmy Awards recognition.”

Previous recipients of the Governors Award include “Star Trek,” “American Idol,” “Masterpiece Theater” and Comic Relief.

Entertainment

The top entertainment stories, features and must-read reviews sent to you weekly.

Next Up In Movies & TV

Netflix looks to curb password sharing, considers ads

Johnny Depp denies hitting Amber Heard: ‘Nothing of the kind ever happened’

‘Shining Girls’ team needed Chicago’s look and ‘amazing’ talent to tell the story

Liz Sheridan, played Jerry’s mom on ‘Seinfeld,’ dies at 93

Charlie Rose reemerges with first interview since firings

Former ‘Windy City Rehab’ star Donovan Eckhardt’s defamation suit is dismissed

Latest Stories

The Latest

Outdoors

First woman chairs Chicago fishing advisory committee

Stacey Greene-Fenlon became the first woman and first person not connected to Chicago government to chair the Chicago fishing advisory committee on Thursday.

By Dale Bowman

Drinks That Do More. A can of Celsius, a fitness drink that is supposed to accelerate metabolism and burn body fat, is shown on Wednesday, April 10, 2024, in New York. The frenzy of functional beverages – drinks designed to do more than just taste good or hydrate - has grown into a multi-billion-dollar industry. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

Eat Well

With 'functional' beverages, brands rush to quench a thirst for drinks that do more than just taste good

Nutritionists say the general trend of consumers seeking out healthier beverages is a good one. But experts also say people should be cautious and read ingredient labels.

By Associated Press

BLUESCLUB-041624 1.jpg

Music

After years of delays, Lee's Unleaded Blues reopening and vowing to celebrate musicmakers and the community

The beloved South Side blues club will kick off its long-awaited return with two shows featuring John Primer and the Real Deal.

By Erica Thompson

Quarterback Caleb Williams, wearing a T-shirt with SC and 13 printed on it, raises his arm, football in hand, preparing to throw.

Other Views

NFL draft day: How teams legally collude to restrict draftees' rights and choices

Sports leagues benefit from two technical points that allow collusion.

By Eldon Ham

Bears

Bears to reveal how they want to pay for a domed lakefront stadium — and what it will look like

Just a day before the Bears are expected to use the first pick in the NFL draft to draft quarterback-of-the-future Caleb Williams, the team will announce their plans for a state-of-the-art, publicly-owned stadium on the lakefront. The plans, according to the team, will include “additional green and open space with access to the lakefront for families and fans on the Museum Campus.”

By Fran Spielman