Carney Updates | Fred Willard, Comedy Legend and Inaugural Carney Awards Host, Passes Away at 86
4th Annual Carney Award Presenters, Honorees and Roles
Debbie Allen
Versatile actress, choreographer and director Debbie Allen said of directing Joe Morton, “It’s like playing a Stradivarius violin. You might know the notes, but when Joe acts, it’s so nuanced… so rich. It’s his artistry that sets him apart.”
Joe Morton Honoree
Joe Morton began by earning a Tony nomination on Broadway, going on to fame for his memorable death scene in Terminator 2: Judgement Day. Earning an Emmy® on Scandal, Joe went on to star in God Friended Me on CBS.
Joe’s Notable Roles
Hair, Salvation, and Raisin on Broadway; The Brother from Another Planet, Terminator 2: Judgement Day, Blues Brothers, Grady, M*A*S*H, Smallville, Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice, Justice League, Turn Me Loose, Scandal, God Friended Me.
Mike Farrell
Mike Farrell, the instantly recognizable “B.J. Hunnicutt” from the hit TV series M*A*S*H, introduced his friend Jamie Cromwell as “an activist, an actor, and a major pain in the ass to those in power. He makes magic happen.”
James Cromwell Honoree
James Cromwell began his TV career as Stretch Cunningham in All in the Family and credits Art Carney for the character’s voice. As a noted social activist, James advocates for animal rights and fights for the environment.
James’ Notable Roles
All in the Family, M*A*S*H, Murder by Death, Babe, The People vs. Larry Flynt, Space Cowboys, W, L.A. Confidential, The Green Mile, Star Trek: First Contact, Jurassic Park: Fallen Kingdom, Six Feet Under, American Horror Story.
Harrison Ford
Legendary actor Harrison Ford said “Emmet doesn’t want you to see Emmet Walsh. He wants you to see someone you’ve not had the pleasure of meeting.” Adds Ford, “He’s a good man. He’s a national treasure.”
M. Emmet Walsh Honoree
M. Emmet Walsh is kown for his role in the cult classic Blade Runner, and for his acclaimed performance as the double-crossing private detective in Blood Simple. Fans also recognize him from his co-starring role in A Time to Kill.
Emmet’s Notable Roles
Straight Time, The Jerk, Blade Runner, Killer Image, A Time to Kill, Serpico, Bound for Glory, Clean and Sober, Ordinary People, Wild Wild West, Fletch, Silkwood, Catch Me if You Can, All in the Family, NYPD Blue, Home Improvement, Frasier, X-Files.
Marilu Henner
Marilu Henner, six year veteran of Taxi, said of Jessica Walter, “She inhabits every single character with such richness. One hundred fifty film and TV credits to her name. She always finds a way to be relevant, sexy, funny, and fabulous!”
Jessica Walter Honoree
Jessica Walter is one of TV’s all-time favorite actors. Her role on the big screen in Play Misty For Me garnered her a Golden Globe® nomination. More recently she is known for her role as Lucille Bluth on Arrested Development.
Jessica’s Notable Roles
Grand Prix, The Group, Bye Bye Braverman, Play Misty For Me, Victory at Entebbe, Goldengirl, Spring Fever, The Flamingo Kid, Slums of Beverly Hills, Magnum P.I., Amy Prentiss, 90210, Law & Order, Arrested Development.
Greg Henry
Greg Henry, veteran of six Brian De Palma films, introduced his friend Bruce as having “a signature... a gravitas... a complexity of his tremendous talent... and his pursuit of the truth and honesty in all his characters.”
Bruce Greenwood Honoree
Bruce Greenwood has twice played an American President, and also helmed a starship in the Star Trek film series. His career started on TV with St. Elsewhere, and most recently he appeared on the big screen in The Post.
Bruce’s Notable Roles
St. Elsewhere, The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story, Mad Men, The Resident, Thirteen Days, National Treasure: Book of Secrets, Kingsman: The Golden Circle, Star Trek (film series), Double Jeopardy, Capote, The Post.
Stephen Tobolowsky
Stephen Tobolowsky said of Joe Pantoliano, “You always fill every part with intelligence, with humor, with danger. Put that together, it makes courage. Joey Pants — the most courageous actor I’ve ever worked with, and have ever seen.”
Joe Pantoliano Honoree
Joe Pantoliano has earned a niche playing villains, first in Risky Business, then as Cypher in the sci-fi film The Matrix. Working on the side of the law in The Fugitive, Joe later won an Emmy® for his role on The Sopranos.
Joe’s Notable Roles
Risky Business, The Goonies, Running Scared, La Bamba, Eddie and the Cruisers, Empire of the Sun, Midnight Run, Bad Boys, Bad Boys 2, The Fugitive, U.S. Marshalls, Bound, Memento, Daredevil, The Matrix, The Sopranos.
3rd Annual Carney Award Presenters, Honorees and Roles
Jeff Garlin
In a hilarious introduction, Curb Your Enthusiasm’s Jeff Garlin paid his friend Richard Kind a heartfelt compliment: “He’s glorious to watch.” Jeff told the audience, “Art Carney is a big reason Richard does what he does.”
Richard Kind Honoree
Richard Kind is known for dramatic and comedic roles in TV series like Mad About You, Spin City, Gotham and Curb Your Enthusiasm, and for voices in A Bug’s Life, the Cars series, Toy Story 3 and Inside Out (as imaginary friend Bing Bong).
Richard’s Notable Roles
Argo, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, The Station Agent, Spin City, Mad About You, Gotham, Curb Your Enthusiasm; on Broadway: The Producers, The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife, Bounce; as voice artist: Inside Out, Welcome to the Wayne.
Clark Gregg
Clark Gregg, veteran of the Marvel Comics film series, remembered his early days with Bill Macy and noted his “incredible gift for taking flawed, sometimes broken people, and making them touching, human, and unforgettable.”
William H. Macy Honoree
William H. Macy, after many stage roles, earned widespread recognition for his leading role in Fargo. His performance in Shameless has earned him an Emmy® nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series.
William’s Notable Roles
More than 50 off-Broadway and Broadway plays, Fargo, Benny & Joon, Above Suspicion, Mr. Holland’s Opus, Ghosts of Mississippi, Air Force One, Boogie Nights, Mystery Men, Magnolia, Jurassic Park III, Seabiscuit, The Cooler, Shameless.
Allison Janney
Allison Janney, star of the series Mom, gave her Mom supporting actor Bill Fichtner the ultimate compliment: “Bill’s an actor’s actor. I’ve always thought of as acting as a team sport — and he’d be the first pick for my team.”
William Fichtner Honoree
William Fichtner began his career on soap operas and went on to film appearances in Heat, The Perfect Storm and Black Hawk Down. He won a Screen Actors Guild Award and became known for roles on Invasion and Prison Break.
William’s Notable Roles
Heat, Contact, Armageddon, The Perfect Storm, Black Hawk Down, The Longest Yard, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Date Night, The Lone Ranger, Independence Day: Resurgence, The Dark Knight, The West Wing, Entourage, Invasion, Prison Break.
Dan Lauria
Dan Lauria of The Wonder Years honored Wendie’s ability to “take an audience to the verge of a tear, and then drop them down on a cushion of comedy. Every scene she’s in, she makes better. Every actor she works with, she makes better.”
Wendie Malick Honoree
Wendie Malick is best known for her roles in television comedies like her twice Emmy®-nominated role on Just Shoot Me! Her many big screen character roles include Scrooged, The American President and Confessions of a Shopaholic.
Wendie’s Notable Roles
More than 50 guest appearances on TV series, Just Shoot Me!, Hot in Cleveland, Frasier, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Law & Order, Scrooged, Funny About Love, The American President, The Emperor’s New Groove, Confessions of a Shopaholic.
Titus Welliver
Titus Welliver, known for his roles in Lost, Sons of Anarchy and Bosch, called Xander Berkeley “the poster boy for memorable scenes. When he appears on the screen, the audience knows that something cool is about to happen.”
Xander Berkeley Honoree
Xander Berkeley made many early appearances on well-known TV series. He then appeared in major hits like A Few Good Men, Apollo 13 and Air Force One. After guest roles, he became a regular on both 24 and The Walking Dead.
Xander’s Notable Roles
Terminator 2: Judgment Day, Mommie Dearest, A Few Good Men, M*A*S*H, Apollo 13, Air Force One, Cagney & Lacey, Remington Steele, Miami Vice, Moonlighting, The A-Team, The X-Files, CSI, ER, Law & Order, Nikita, The Walking Dead.
2nd Annual Carney Award Presenters, Honorees and Roles
Ed Asner
Ed Asner, actor and former Screen Actors Guild President, said “Dan Hedaya becomes every character he plays.” Honoring Dan’s remarkable body of work, Ed presented him with the Chairman’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
Dan Hedaya Honoree
Dan Hedaya has appeared in many TV series, including his role as Carla’s ex-husband Nick on Cheers. In a widely heralded role, Dan played the murderous husband in the first Coen Brothers film, Blood Simple, and Richard Nixon in Dick.
Dan’s Notable Roles
Cheers, Miami Vice, ER, Blood Simple, True Confessions, Tightrope, Commando, Joe Versus the Volcano, Clueless, The First Wives Club, Daylight, Marvin’s Room, Alien Resurrection, A Civil Action, A Night at the Roxbury, The Hurricane, Dick.
Mark Boone Junior
Mark Boone Junior of Sons of Anarchy said of Steve, “He gives everything of himself to every role he does. Maybe that’s why everybody wants to work with him — and has worked with him. They know he’s committed to his craft.”
Steve Buscemi Honoree
Steve Buscemi has appeared in numerous Hollywood and independent films, and is known for his roles in several Coen brothers films. He went on to critically acclaimed performances in The Sopranos and Boardwalk Empire.
Steve’s Notable Roles
New York Stories, Reservoir Dogs, Desperado, Con Air, Armageddon, The Grey Zone, Ghost World, Big Fish, The Death of Stalin. Miller's Crossing, Barton Fink, The Hudsucker Proxy, Fargo, The Big Lebowski, The Sopranos, Boardwalk Empire.
Bryan Cranston
In a wonderful introduction for his friend, Breaking Bad’s Bryan Cranston shared this with the audience, “You know Jonathan Banks as an accomplished actor. But what you may not know is that he’s also a crusty old bastard.”
Jonathan Banks Honoree
Jonathan Banks has received six Primetime Emmy® Award nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series. After notable film roles he became a series regular on Breaking Bad and reprised his role on Better Call Saul.
Jonathan’s Notable Roles
Airplane!, 48 Hrs., Beverly Hills Cop, Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, Wiseguy. Armed and Dangerous, Buckaroo Banzai, Freejack, Flipper, Airplane!, Gremlins, Murder Me, Murder You, Under Siege 2: Dark Territory, Identity Thief.
Julie Hagerty
Julie Hagerty, the comedic actress from Airplane! recognized Stephen Tobolowsky’s comedic and dramatic work in more than 200 films and TV shows, spoke about his devoted fans and called him “my truly brilliant, kind friend.”
Stephen Tobolowsky Honoree
Stephen Tobolowsky’s career began in live theater. He was nominated for a Tony Award® for Best Performance by a Featured Actor. He’s appeared in more than 200 popular movies, including Basic Instinct and Groundhog Day.
Stephen’s Notable Roles
Seinfeld, Mad About You, Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Philadelphia Experiment, Spaceballs, Mississippi Burning, Bird on a Wire, Basic Instinct, Groundhog Day, Murder in the First, The Insider, Memento, Freaky Friday, Wild Hogs.
Zane Lasky
Zane Lasky, one of the few actors to play different TV characters simultaneously (on Dallas and Knots Landing), said of Conchata, “Her comedy has made me fall over with laughter, but her dramatic work has brought me to tears.”
Conchata Ferrell Honoree
Conchata Ferrell is known for her work as a regular cast member on five TV sitcom series. She’s best known for playing in all 12 seasons (212 episodes) of Two and a Half Men, earning her two Primetime Emmy® Award nominations.
Conchata’s Notable Roles
Two and a Half Men, ER, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Matlock, B. J. and the Bear, Good Times, Townies, Night Court, The Love Boat, L.A. Law, Mystic Pizza, Network, Edward Scissorhands, Erin Brockovich, Mr. Deeds, True Romance.
Joe Mantegna
Joe Mantegna, citing their shared acting roots, honored his fellow Chicagoan Gary Cole by calling him the talented “Man of a Million Faces” who, like Frank Sinatra sings about their hometown, “will never let you down.”
Gary Cole Honoree
Gary Cole has had starring roles in multiple TV series and notable guest appearances on many others. Gary’s appeared in numerous films, starring as the office boss in Office Space. He’s also done voice work on several animated series.
Gary’s Notable Roles
Midnight Caller, American Gothic, Crusade, The Good Wife, Chicago Fire, The West Wing, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Arrested Development, Entourage, Veep, Office Space, voice work on Family Guy, Harvey Birdman, Archer.
1st Annual Carney Award Presenters, Honorees and Roles
Anthony Anderson
Anthony Anderson, producer of Black-ish, described Art Carney’s desire for The Carneys to recognize up-and-coming character actors. Such is Michael Ealy, said Anthony, as he “keeps getting better and better with each role he takes.”
Michael Ealy Honoree
Michael Ealy’s performance in Barbershop proved to be his breakout role. He appeared in the second installment of the Fast and the Furious film series and earned a Golden Globe nomination for his performance on Sleeper Cell.
Michael’s Notable Roles
Barbershop, 2 Fast 2 Furious, Secrets and Lies, Barbarians Rising, The Following, Almost Human, Common Law, Californication, The Good Wife, Never Die Alone, Sleeper Cell, Seven Pounds, Flash Forward, Think Like a Man, About Last Night.
Billy Crystal
Comedian, actor, director and producer Billy Crystal, recalling the casting for City Slickers and Mr. Saturday Night, called David Paymer the perfect choice. “I love this guy,” said Billy. “He’s a brilliant actor.”
David Paymer Honoree
David Paymer is one of the industry’s most prolific character actors, having been in more than 90 films in his career. David also has appeared in many popular television shows, directing several of them as well.
David’s Notable Roles
Mr. Saturday Night, Quiz Show, Searching for Bobby Fischer, City Slickers, Get Shorty, The American President, Ocean’s Thirteen, Taxi, L.A. Law, Law & Order: SVU, Entourage, Murphy Brown, The Larry Sanders Show, Cheers.
John Landis
Producer and director John Landis marveled at Bruce McGill’s career since Animal House and quipped that Bruce is “on every TV show and movie.” John said, “Bruce continues to amaze us with great work in his long acting career.”
Bruce McGill Honoree
Bruce McGill, always recognizable as “D-Day” in National Lampoon’s Animal House, is also well-known for his work with director Michael Mann in The Insider, Ali, and Collateral. His TV roles include MacGyver and Rizzoli & Isles.
Bruce’s Notable Roles
National Lampoon’s Animal House, The Insider, Ali, Collateral, My Cousin Vinny, Cliffhanger, Timecop, The Legend of Bagger Vance, Ali, The Sum of All Fears, Runaway Jury, Cinderella Man, Vantage Point, MacGyver, Rizzoli & Isles, Star Trek Voyager.
Kellita Smith
The Bernie Mac Show’s Kellita Smith characterized CCH Pounder as “powerful… versatile… with a solid screen presence,” and recognized her for paving the way for many actors who followed in her talented footsteps.
CCH Pounder Honoree
CCH Pounder has appeared in multiple plays, films, made-for-television films and television miniseries, receiving Emmy® Award nominations for her performances on X-Files, ER and The Shield.
CCH’s Notable Roles
All That Jazz, Hill Street Blues, The Cosby Show, L.A. Law, The X-Files, Living Single, Quantum Leap, ER, Avatar, The Practice, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Millennium, The West Wing, NCIS: New Orleans, The Shield.
Fred Willard 2015 Host
Fred Willard, giving the first Carney Award as the host, called his friend Bob Balaban “the quintessential ‘that guy.’” Fred marveled at how Bob “gets lost in every one of his roles... and makes them his own.”
Bob Balaban Honoree
Bob Balaban is known for his appearances in several Christopher Guest comedies, including Best in Show and A Mighty Wind. In the 1990s, Bob had a recurring role on Seinfeld as Russell Dalrymple, the fictional president of NBC.
Bob’s Notable Roles
Midnight Cowboy, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, The Inspector General, Altered States, Gosford Park, Waiting for Guffman, Best in Show, A Mighty Wind, For Your Consideration, Moonrise Kingdom, The Grand Budapest Hotel, Isle of Dogs, Seinfeld.
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