AFTRA announced on Friday that their Foundation will honor legendary recording artist Smokey Robinson, broadcaster Vin Scully, actress Jeanne Cooper, and voiceover artist Don LaFontaine at the AFTRA Media and Entertainment Excellence Awards (The AMEES), at a dinner gala event at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles on March 9, 2009.
The AMEES recognize members of AFTRA (a national labor union of more than 70,000 performers, journalists, and other artists working in the entertainment and news media,) who have made a significant contribution to American culture.
The AMEES were created in 2003 to honor AFTRA members for excellence in their craft and their contributions to the fields of media and entertainment.
Proceeds from the 2009 AMEE Awards go to benefit the AFTRA Foundation - a separate and independent non-profit organization - providing support to charitable and educational endeavors sponsored by the entertainment Union
Long-time Singer-songwriter, Smokey Robinson, will be presented the AMEE Award for Sound Recordings.
Dylan once pronounced Robinson as America’s “greatest living poet."
The musical artist savors a dynamic career that has spanned over five decades.
Smokey also co-founded the Motown Record dynasty with Berry Gordy and created R&B legends such as "The Miracles". Their 1960 single - "Shop Around" - was Motown's first number one hit on the R&B singles chart.
Robinson wrote hit tunes for Mary Wells (My Guy) and served as The Temptations' primary songwriter and producer from 1963 to 1966 ("The Way You Do the Things You Do").
The acclaimed musician has received numerous awards including the Grammy Legend Award, Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, an Honorary Doctorate from Howard University, and the covetted National Medal of Arts Award from the President of the United States.
Years ago, I acted in a small role on Young & Restless and crossed paths with Jeanne Cooper, who will receive The AMEE Award in Entertainment.
A consummate professional, no actress I know of, is more deserving of the honor.
Cooper recently celebrated 35 years as the grand dame - Katherine Chancellor - on the popular daytime soap opera.
In fact, Jeanne joined “Y&R” in its first season many moons ago.
The award winning CBS series, created by William J. Bell and his lovely wife Lee Phillip Bell, has been the #1 daytime drama for more than 20 consecutive years in the U.S. and is seen around the globe daily by millions of devoted fans.
During that time frame, the gracious actress has garnered nine Daytime Emmy nominations.
She nabbed the coveted prize in 2008 in the capacity of lead actress in a daytime drama series.
In May 2004, Jeanne was also honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Daytime Emmy Awards.
Jeanne was honored with a star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1993.
Although her career began in film, Cooper is probably best-known for she numerous appearances on prime-time television series such as the "Playhouse 90," "The Twilight Zone," "Perry Mason," "The Untouchables," "Maverick,” and “Rawhide".
In addition to her busy schedule on Y&R, Jeanne acts as a national spokesperson for the Springboard Center in Midland (Texas) - a state-of-the-art comprehensive treatment center - serving individual and families affected by addictive disease.
Vin Scully will be presented with the AMEE Award in Broadcasting.
Vin’s 60th season as the “Voice of the Dodgers” is the longest of any current sports broadcaster with one team.
AFTRA reps note that the exploits of Jackie Robinson, Duke Snider, Don Drysdale, and Sandy Koufax - as well as the world championship seasons of 1955, 1959, 1963, 1965, 1981, and 1988 - were brought to life to millions of radio listeners as they unfolded before Vin's perceptive eyes.
In 1982, 32 years after he first became a Dodger broadcaster, Vin reached the pinnacle of his sparkling career when he was inducted into the Broadcaster’s wing of the National Baseball Hall of Fame as the Ford C. Frick Award recipient.
In addition to his Dodger broadcasts, the multi-talented broadcaster has called play-by-play for the NFL, PGA, as well as 12 All-Star Games and 25 World Series for Major League Baseball.
In 1995, Vin was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame.
The “King of Voiceovers" - actor Don LaFontaine (who passed away on September 1, 2008 at the age of 68 ) will be posthumously presented with a special AMEE Tribute Award in Voiceover Artistry.
Don was the voice of ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, UPN, TNT, TBS, and the Cartoon Network.
Mr. LaFontaine was the in-show announcer for the Academy Awards.
In addition, his distinctive voice has been heard in thousands of movie trailers, radio spots, and TV commercials (Chevrolet, Pontiac, Ford, Budweiser, McDonalds, Coke).
“Don will be fondly remembered by all of us who understand and appreciate that performers behind-the-camera give life and color to the stories onscreen,” observed National President Roberta Reardon.
“He was both busy and prolific during his 40-year career, and he always had time and a kind word for his fellow union members. He always supported his union. He will never be forgotten."
Don's wife and fellow AFTRA member - singer-songwriter and actress Nita Whitaker - will accept the award on his behalf at the Biltmore at the gala event in March.
Past AMEE recipients include Don Hewitt and his team of CBS on-air journalists (Ed Bradley, Steve Kroft, Dan Rather, Andy Rooney, Morley Safer, Lesley Stahl, and Mike Wallace), Susan Lucci, and Roberta Flack.
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