Richard Curtis, from left, Michael G. Their father died two weeks before he could accept his second honorary Oscar, alongside Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson , filmmaker Richard Curtis and casting director Juliet Taylor. But the Jones family decided to show up for the event Sunday night in Hollywood for a celebration of his life and work with humor from Jamie Foxx, a rousing performance by Jennifer Hudson and a moment with his family: His daughter Rashida Jones even read the speech he had been working on up until a month ago.
The audience in the Ray Dolby Ballroom was starrier than even the Oscars. But most of the schmoozing subsided for the main event. Thalberg Memorial Award, celebrating the work of producers. Broccoli also commented on the importance of producers, a credit she said that lately is being handed out like party favors.
They got some gentle ribbing from Craig beforehand. Nicole Kidman presented the honorary Oscar to Taylor, a casting director unaccustomed to being publicly celebrated for her contributions to cinema.
While Taylor was excited about her award, she was even happier that her peers are soon going to be regularly recognized. Starting with films released in , the film academy will give a new competitive Oscar to casting directors. Foxx quickly got back on track to speak about Jones, whose celebration closed out the evening on a cathartic note. Well, actually, probably in every room to be honest because wherever he went he made connections with everyone.
Real ones. He knew how to stay present, to stay curious, to stay loving. Jones invited the audience to listen on the way home, to go for the deepest cuts. That was his real legacy: Love. Copyright The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Hollywood stars gather for honorary Oscars event celebrating Quincy Jones, Bond producers, more.
