A CONSTELLATION OF of stars gathered in Hollywood for an off-camera celebration of four stalwart film talents.
Reese Witherspoon, Jennifer Aniston, Steve Carell, Kevin Costner, Mark Wahlberg, Sidney Poitier and Ed Norton, were among the celebrities toasting the first Oscar winners of the season at the film academy’s Governors Awards Saturday night.
Ireland’s Maureen O’Hara was amongst the recipients of the honorary Oscars, picking up the award at the age of 94.
Also honoured were filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki, screenwriter Jean-Claude Carriere and actor and activist Harry Belafonte. The ceremony took place at a private dinner at Hollywood & Highland’s Ray Dolby Ballroom.
O’Hara was introduced by Liam Neeson and Clint Eastwood, each of whom confessed to having a crush on the Dublin-born beauty.
Neeson described her as “one of the true legends of cinema” and “one of the most adventurous women who ever lived,” explaining the actress was a pioneer in doing her own stunts on screen.
O’Hara came to the stage in a wheelchair and read a brief statement of thanks in which she acknowledged filmmakers Charles Laughton and John Ford, along with her co-star in several films, John Wayne.
When Neeson handed her the Oscar, she asked in disbelief, “What’s this?!”
“I only hope it’s silver or gold and not like a spoon out of the kitchen,” she said.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences established the Governors Awards in 2009 to celebrate the annual winners of its honorary awards. Highlights from the ceremony will be included in the 2015 Oscar telecast.
Additional reporting, Daragh Brophy.
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