As we recently noted, it’s that time of year when one awards contender after another earns notable honors that might just assist in their Oscar campaigns. Today, the Santa Barbara International Film Festival announced that Hugh Jackman will receive the 2018 Kirk Douglas Award. Jackman is a potential Best Actor nominee for his work in Jason Reitman’s “The Front Runner.”
READ MORE: Armie Hammer and Jeff Bridges toast Judi Dench for Kirk Douglas honor
Since 2006 the Kirk Douglas Award has “been awarded to a lifelong contributor to cinema through their work in front of the camera, behind, or both.” In a statement from SBIFF, the 101-year-old Douglas remarked, “I am delighted that Hugh Jackman will receive the 13th annual Kirk Douglas Award. He’s an exceptional talent of stage and screen, and one of the nicest people in the business. It’s my honor to have my name linked with his on this year’s award.”
Jackman is an Oscar nominee for his role in “Les Miserables” and recently starred in and was the driving force behind getting the massive box office hit “The Greatest Showman” to the screen. His other notable credits include “Logan,” “Prisoners,” “The Fountain,” “Australia” and the “X-Men” franchise. He won an Emmy Award for hosting the 58th Tony Awards, a Tony Award for his performance in “The Boy From Oz” and a Golden Globe for his work in “Les Miz.” “The Front Runner” arrives in theaters just in time for election day on Nov. 6.
READ MORE: Hugh Jackman shines in Jason Reitman’s “The Front Runner” [Telluride Review]
Previous Kirk Douglas Award honorees include last year’s winner, Judi Dench, as well as Warren Beatty, Jane Fonda, Jessica Lange, Robert DeNiro and Forest Whitaker.
This year’s dinner will take place on Nov. 19 and benefit SBIFF’s year-round free educational programs. The 2019 Santa Barbara International Film Festival will run from January 30 – February 9.