Floyd Norman, a trailblazing Disney animator and storyboard artist, will receive an honorary Oscar this year at the film academy’s 17th Governors Awards.
In a press release Wednesday, the academy announced its 2026 honorees, which include acting legend Glenn Close and director Ridley Scott. The awards will be presented on Nov. 15 in Hollywood.
Honorary Oscars recognize “extraordinary distinction in lifetime achievement, exceptional contributions to the state of motion picture arts and sciences in any discipline, or for outstanding service to the Academy.”
Related: Debbie Allen and Tom Cruise Celebrate Honorary Oscars in Viral Dance Video
Floyd Norman began his 65-year career at Walt Disney Animation Studios in 1956, and was the studio’s first Black animator. Norman’s first Disney film was Sleeping Beauty and he contributed to the classic films The Sword in the Stone, Mary Poppins, The Jungle Book, and Robin Hood.
Among his other films were The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Mulan, Toy Story 2, and Monsters, Inc. In 2022, Norman was the subject of the Criterion Channel documentary Floyd Norman: An Animated Life.
Glenn Close has had roles in more than 100 films. The actress was previously nominated for eight competitive Oscars recognizing her work in The films — The World According to Garp, The Big Chill, The Natural, Fatal Attraction, Dangerous Liaisons, Albert Nobbs, The Wife, and Hillbilly Elegy.
Her other movie credits include Jagged Edge, Reversal of Fortune, Hamlet, 101 Dalmatians, 102 Dalmatians, Air Force One, The Stepford Wives, and Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery.
Ridley Scott received Oscar nominations for directing Thelma & Louise, Gladiator, and Black Hawk Down. His 2015 film The Martian was nominated for seven Academy Awards, including best picture.
The filmmaker’s other directing credits include Alien, Blade Runner, G.I. Jane, Kingdom of Heaven, American Gangster, Prometheus, All the Money in the World, House of Gucci, The Last Duel, Napoleon, and upcoming The Dog Stars.
Christine Vachon and Pamela Koffler will be honored at the November ceremony with the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award, which is presented to a producer whose body of work “reflects a consistently high quality of motion picture production.”
The pair founded New York-based independent production company Killer Films in 1995. Together, they have produced the films Hedwig and the Angry Inch, One Hour Photo, Camp, The Company, The Notorious Bettie Page, May December, and Materialists.
Vachon and Koffler earned a best picture Oscar nomination for Past Lives in 2024. Their work also includes Safe, Velvet Goldmine, Happiness, Boys Don’t Cry, Far from Heaven, I’m Not There, Still Alice, Carol, First Reformed, Vox Lux, The World to Come, Zola, and A Different Man.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will hold the 17th Governors Awards Sunday, Nov. 15, at the Ray Dolby Ballroom at Ovation Hollywood, in partnership with Rolex.
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