Los Angeles (CNN) -- Oprah Winfrey's generosity to the less fortunate will be rewarded when she's handed an Oscar statuette in November.
The Academy of Motion Picture Sciences' governors voted Tuesday to give Winfrey the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award.
The trophy is given each year to someone "in the motion picture industry whose humanitarian efforts have brought credit to the industry."
The Academy did not cite her famous car and trip giveaways to her studio audience, but Oprah's Angel Network, the Oprah Winfrey Foundation, and her creation of a girls' school in South Africa.
"She has been especially dedicated to supporting educational initiatives and raising awareness of issues that affect women and children, both in the United States and around the globe," the announcement said.
Winfrey was nominated for a supporting actress Oscar for her 1985 film debut in "The Color Purple."
She'll get her award at the Governor's Awards dinner in Hollywood on November 12.
The Academy also voted to give honorary Oscars to actor James Earl Jones and movie makeup legend Dick Smith.
Jones, whose instantly recognizable voice has been heard for years saying "This is CNN" and speaking for Star Wars villain Darth Vader, has acted in more than 50 films.
Smith already has an Oscar, which he won for his makeup work on "Amadeus." He was also nominated for "Dad" in 1989.
Honorary Oscars are given to people for an "extraordinary distinction in lifetime achievement, exceptional contributions to the state of motion picture arts and sciences, or for outstanding service to the Academy."
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
|