34th AFI Life Achievement Award 2006

Friday 9th June 2006 - Kodak Theatre, Los Angeles, CA, USA

SIR SEAN CONNERY RECEIVES AFI’s 34th LIFE ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
USA NETWORK TO AIR TRIBUTE ON JUNE 21, 2006 at 9pm ET/PT on USA Network

AWARD DINNER TRIBUTE WITH CONNERY FRIENDS AND FAMILY

Marshall Herskovitz Recognized with
16th Annual Franklin J. Schaffner Alumni Medal

LOS ANGELES, CA, June 9, 2006—Thousands of guests filled the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles, California, last night for the 34th American Film Institute (AFI) Life Achievement Award honoring Sir Sean Connery. The two-hour special event, executive produced and written by Bob Gazzale and directed and co-produced by Louis J. Horvitz, was taped for telecast on USA Network on Wednesday, June 21, 2006 at 9:00 p.m. (ET/PT). Widely regarded as the highest honor for a career in film, the black-tie tribute celebrated Connery’s extraordinary career with many of his colleagues, friends and family present.  Harrison Ford presented Connery with the honor at evening’s end.

Among guests participating in the tribute were three previous AFI Life Achievement Award recipients—Harrison Ford, George Lucas and Steven Spielberg—joined by Pierce Brosnan, Andy Garcia, Craig Ferguson, Tippi Hedren, Eddie Izzard, James Earl Jones, Tom Jones, Maria Menounos, Ian McShane, Mike Myers and Julia Ormond; as well as AFI’s Director and CEO Jean Picker Firstenberg, AFI Board of Trustees chair Sir Howard Stringer, AFI Board of Directors chairs Jon Avnet and John F. Cooke and President of USA Network and Sci-Fi Channel Bonnie Hammer.

Also in attendance were Jacqueline Bisset, Tia Carrere, former California Govenor Gray Davis, Hector Elizondo, Calista Flockhart, Dave Foley, Anthony Michael Hall, Judith Light, Bia Ling, Louis Gossett Jr., Brittany Murphy, Brett Ratner, Jay Roach, John Savage, Charles Martin Smith and Chris Tucker.

The heartfelt and often playful tribute highlighted the long career of the Scottish-born actor, with an emphasis on the impact of the James Bond character, whom Connery played seven times. Many of the presenters, including surprise show opener Mike Myers, professed their deep admiration of Connery and commented on how his work impacted their lives and careers.

After a performance of “Thunderball” by Tom Jones, and clips and commentary from Connery’s large catalogue of films, Harrison Ford presented the award to the fictional father of Indiana Jones. Scottish bagpipers and drummers in kilts took the stage as Connery made his way through the standing ovation to receive his award.

The evening was also marked by Sir Howard Stringer sharing with the audience that Jean Picker Firstenberg had announced her retirement to the AFI Board of Directors earlier that day. Firstenberg has led the internationally recognized arts organization since January 1, 1980—only the second person to head AFI since its creation 40 years ago—making her one of the longest serving chief executives of any non-profit organization in the US.  She informed the AFI Board of Trustees of her decision at its June meeting, and agreed to the Board’s requests to remain in her position until a new chief executive is found and to lead the organization through its 40th anniversary celebration in 2007.

Firstenberg paid tribute to the AFI Conservatory’s filmmaking alumni and presented the 2006 Franklin J. Schaffner Alumni Medal to writer/director/producer Marshall Herskovitz. The Franklin J. Schaffner Alumni Medal recognizes the extraordinary creative talents of a graduate of the AFI Conservatory or of the Directing Workshop for Women who symbolizes the legacy of Franklin Schaffner.  Established in 1991 by Franklin J. Schaffner's widow, Jean, the Alumni Medal celebrates the qualities associated with the late director: talent, taste, dedication and commitment to quality filmmaking.

Connery joins a distinguished list of recipients of AFI’s Life Achievement Award including George Lucas, Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks, Barbra Streisand, Harrison Ford, Dustin Hoffman, Steven Spielberg, Jack Nicholson, Elizabeth Taylor, Sidney Poitier, Gregory Peck, Barbara Stanwyck, Billy Wilder, Fred Astaire, James Stewart, Alfred Hitchcock, Bette Davis, Orson Welles, James Cagney and John Ford.