Filed under: Television, News, Celeb Updates
The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences has announced its new Hall of Fame inductees, and a few beloved television figures will soon be honored at its 20th annual ceremony.
Legendary actresses Diahann Carroll and Cloris Leachman are getting their due from the television world.
The two women join other inductees, including broadcast journalist Peter Jennings; MTV founder Tom Freston; composer Earle Hagen; writer, producer and creator of 'The Golden Girls' Susan Harris; and the late game show producer Bill Todman, and will be toasted at a posh fete to be held on Jan. 20 at the Beverly Hills Hotel.
With the 1968 series 'Julia,' Carroll became the first black woman to star in her own television show. In the 1980s, she went on to make a career comeback as Dominique Deveraux on the prime-time soap opera 'Dynasty.' In recent years, the Tony Award-winning actress was a recurring character on 'Grey's Anatomy,' and at 75 years old, she is still appearing on the small screen. Currently, she guest stars in the USA series 'White Collar' as June, an elderly widow.
Leachman of 'Mary Tyler Moore' fame has won more Primetime Emmy Awards than any other female performer - with eight wins to her name. She also has one Daytime Emmy. The Academy Award-winner was a contestant on 'Dancing With the Stars' in 2008 at the age of 82. For years, she had a recurring role as Lois' mother on 'Malcolm in the Middle,' and now she stars on the Fox comedy 'Raising Hope.'
Chairman and CEO of the Television Academy, John Shafner, says each of the inductees have significantly contributed to television in vast ways.
"This year's group of Hall of Fame inductees continues to exemplify and define the accomplishments that we recognize with this honor. Each one of them has contributed enormously to the art of television, and we are proud to induct them into the Television Academy Hall of Fame."
"We congratulate them on this occasion and thank them for brightening our television universe with passion and talent," he added.
This year's inductees join past award recipients, including Bill Cosby, Oprah Winfrey, Lucille Ball, Walt Disney, Barbara Walters, Dan Rather, Lorne Michaels, Katie Couric, Bob Barker, Bea Arthur, Regis Philbin and William Shatner.
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