Glenn Close and Ridley Scott will receive honorary Oscars, according to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The awards will be presented at the annual Governors Awards on November 15, 2026, in Hollywood, California.
What happened
Glenn Close, noted for her emotional depth in complex roles, is set to receive an honorary Academy Award. The announcement was made by the Academy on Wednesday, recognizing her as one of the most talented actors without a competitive Oscar despite eight nominations since 1983. “Throughout her extraordinary body of work, [Close’s] unparalleled emotional range has brought to life some of the most complex characters in cinema,” stated the Academy.[1]
Alongside Close, Ridley Scott and animator Floyd Norman will also receive honorary Oscars. Scott has an impressive filmography, with classics such as “Alien” and “Gladiator.” The Academy lauded him as a “true visionary” whose work has significantly influenced global cinema. Norman, the first Black animator at Disney, contributed to iconic films such as “The Jungle Book” and “Toy Story 2.”[2]
Why it matters
This recognition marks a pivotal moment in the careers of Close and Scott, enhancing their legacies in the film industry. Close’s eight nominations tie her with Peter O’Toole for most nominations without a win. The honorary Oscars serve to acknowledge their contributions and rectify the absence of a competitive Oscar in their careers, which is significant in a culture that often equates awards with achievement.[3]
Background
On May 20, 1983, Close received her first Academy Award nomination for “The World According to Garp.” Later nominations included roles in “Fatal Attraction” and “Hillbilly Elegy.” Scott, nominated for films such as “Black Hawk Down” and “Thelma & Louise,” has been recognized but has not won an Oscar despite a celebrated career spanning decades.
What’s next
The Governors Awards ceremony will take place on November 15, 2026, at the Ray Dolby Ballroom in Ovation Hollywood, marking the kickoff of the awards season and honoring the significant legacies of this year’s awardees.
