Star-studded Governors Awards postponed over coronavirus, omicron variant concerns

Star-studded Governors Awards postponed over coronavirus, omicron variant concerns

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has decided to postpone the Governors Awards, which bestow honorary Oscars, due to concerns over the omicron variant.

New plans will be announced at a later date, an academy spokesperson said Wednesday. The untelevised but always star-studded event was scheduled for Jan. 15 in Los Angeles.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has decided to postpone its Governors Awards ceremony, which was scheduled for Jan. 15 in Los Angeles. New plans for the untelevised but always star-studded event, which hands out honorary Oscars, will come at a later date, an academy spokesperson said Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2021. (Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images)

“Given the uncertainties around the variants, and the impact this could have on our community, we feel this is the best and safest decision for our honorees and guests,” the statement said.

Elaine May, Samuel L. Jackson and Liv Ullmann were announced earlier this year as the event’s honorees. Danny Glover was also selected as the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award recipient. The evening event is often packed with A-listers and Oscar hopefuls.

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The academy canceled last year’s Governors Awards because of the pandemic and presented two humanitarian awards during the Oscar broadcast.

Tom Hanks speaks at the Governors Awards Oct. 27, 2019, in Los Angeles. (Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP, File)

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The Governors Awards isn’t the only high-profile Hollywood event to change plans in recent days.

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2017 Governors Awards honorees Agnes Varda, Alejandro Gonzales Inarritu, Owen Roizman, Charles Burnett and Donald Sutherland pose with their Oscars following a ceremony at The Ray Dolby Ballroom. (AP)

The Palm Springs International Film Festival also decided to cancel its starry awards gala, which was supposed to take place Jan. 6 and was to include honorees like Kristen Stewart, Lady Gaga, Nicole Kidman and Pen?lope Cruz.