Character actors are finally getting a little more of the spotlight.
The First Annual Carney Awards will be the first awards show to celebrate outstanding achievement in character acting.
It is named in honor of late Oscar-winning and six-time Emmy-winning actor Art Carney, and will take place on Nov. 1 at The Paley Center for Media in Beverly Hills. The show coincides with the 60th anniversary of the original airing of the classic television show The Honeymooners.
Brian Carney, son of Art Carney, created the show alongside brothers Jim Katz and David Katz.
“We believe these character actors are not being given the recognition they deserve as the Supporting Acting Award is now mostly going to leading men and women,” the show’s producers said in a statement. “Our award is really a lifetime achievement for those actors who are not acknowledged at other award shows but provide the fabric and texture to movies and TV shows.”
The awards show’s board of directors, which consists of industry professionals including actors, producers, directors and studio heads, will choose four actors from a list of 10 nominees along with a “young actor to watch.”
“It was always my father’s wish that this award be kept to the highest level of integrity and professionalism,” said Carney.
Brian Carney is an actor and voiceover artist best known as “the gecko’s boss” in the Geico commercials, while Jim Katz is an Emmy-winning producer and David Katz is the CEO of the Elvis Duran Group in New York City.
