Los Angeles: Kerry Washington was a triple threat at the NAACP Image Awards.
The star of ABC’s ‘Scandal’ picked up a trio of trophies at the 44th annual ceremony: outstanding actress in a drama series for ‘Scandal’, supporting actress in a motion picture for ‘Django Unchained’ and the President’s Award, which is given in recognition of special achievement and exceptional public service.
“This award does not belong to me,” said Washington, who plays a slave separated from her husband in ‘Django Unchained’, as she picked up her first trophy of the evening for her role in the film directed by Quentin Tarantino. “It belongs to our ancestors. We shot this film on a slave plantation, and they were with us along every step of the way.”
Washington, who plays crisis management consultant Olivia Pope on ‘Scandal’, serves on President Barack Obama’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities.
Don Cheedle was awarded the outstanding actor in a comedy series trophy for his role as a slick management consultant in Showtime’s ‘House of Lies’.
“This doesn’t belong just to me, but I am taking it home tonight,” joked Cheedle.
A few winners weren’t present at the Shrine Auditorium to pick up their trophies, including Denzel Washington for outstanding actor in a motion picture for ‘Flight’, Viola Davis for outstanding actress in a motion picture for ‘Won’t Back Down’ and Omar Epps for supporting actor in a drama series for Fox’s ‘House’.
‘Red Tails’, the drama about the Tuskegee Airmen, was honoured as outstanding motion picture.
“Look! I beat Quentin Tarantino,” beamed ‘Red Tails’ executive producer George Lucas as he accepted the award.
LL Cool J, who was honoured as outstanding actor in a drama series for CBS’ ‘NCIS: Los Angeles’, dedicated his trophy to fellow nominee Michael Clarke Duncan, ‘The Green Mile’ and ‘The Finder’ actor who died last year.
“I wish his family well,” said LL. “Let’s give it up for him.”
Gladys Knight sang during the in memoriam segment, but the beginning of her performance wasn’t heard on the live NBC broadcast because of a technical glitch.
Sidney Poitier presented Harry Belafonte with the Spingarn Award, which honours outstanding achievement by an African American. His honour was followed by a serenade from Wyclef Jean and Common.
Other winners at the ceremony hosted by talk show host Steve Harvey included Loretta Devine as supporting actress in a drama series for ‘Grey’s Anatomy’, Cassi Davis as outstanding actress in a comedy series and Lance Gross as outstanding supporting actor in a comedy series for TBS’ ‘Tyler Perry’s House of Payne’.
The Image Awards are presented annually by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, and the group’s members select the winners.
List of winners of the 44th Image Awards
FILM
Motion picture: ‘Red Tails’
Actor in a motion picture: Denzel Washington, ‘Flight’
Actress in a motion picture: Viola Davis, ‘Won’t Back Down’
Supporting actor in a motion picture: Samuel L. Jackson, ‘Django Unchained’
Supporting actress in a motion picture: Kerry Washington, ‘Django Unchained’
Independent motion picture: (tie) ‘Beasts of the Southern Wild’ and ‘Red Tails’
International motion picture: ‘The Intouchables’
Documentary: ‘On the Shoulders of Giants: The Story of the Greatest Team You’ve Never Heard Of’
Directing in a motion picture: Benh Zeitlin, ‘Beasts of the Southern Wild’
TELEVISION
Comedy series: BET’s ‘The Game’
Actor in a comedy series: Don Cheadle, Showtime’s ‘House Of Lies’
Actress in a comedy series: Cassi Davis, TBS’ ‘Tyler Perry’s House of Payne’
Supporting actor in a comedy series: Lance Gross, TBS’ ‘Tyler Perry’s House of Payne’
Actress in a comedy series: Vanessa Williams, ABC’s ‘Desperate Housewives’
Drama series: ABC’s ‘Scandal’
Actor in a drama series: LL Cool J, CBS’ ‘NCIS: Los Angeles’
Actress in a drama series: Kerry Washington, ABC’s ‘Scandal’
Supporting actor in a drama series: Omar Epps, Fox’s ‘House’
Supporting actress in a drama series: Loretta Devine, ABC’s ‘Grey’s Anatomy’
Television movie, mini-series or dramatic special: Lifetime’s ‘Steel Magnolias’
Actor in a television movie, mini-series or dramatic special: Cuba Gooding Jr., ABC’s ‘Hallmark Hall of Fame’s Firelight’
Actress in a television movie, mini-series or dramatic special: Alfre Woodard, Lifetime’s ‘Steel Magnolias’
Actor in a daytime drama series: Kristoff St. John, CBS’ ‘The Young and the Restless’
Actress in a daytime drama series: Tatyana Ali, CBS’ ‘The Young and the Restless’
News: TV One’s ‘Unsung’
Talk series: ABC’s ‘The View’
Reality series: OWN’s ‘Welcome to Sweetie Pie’s’
Variety series or special: BET’s ‘Black Girls Rock’
Children’s programme: BET’s ‘Kasha and the Zulu King’
Performance in a youth/children’s programme: Loretta Devine, Disney Channel’s ‘Doc McStuffins’
Writing in a comedy series: Marc Wilmore, ‘The Simpsons’
Writing in a dramatic series: Cheo Hodari Coker, ‘SouthLAnd’
Writing in a motion picture: Elizabeth Hunter, Lifetime’s ‘Abducted: The Carlina White Story’
Directing in a comedy series: Ken Whittingham, NBC’s ‘Parks and Recreation’
Directing in a dramatic series: Paris Barclay, NBC’s ‘Smash’
MUSIC
New artist: Elle Varner
Male artist: Usher
Female artist: Alicia Keys
Duo, group or collaboration: Mary Mary
Jazz album: ‘The Preservation Hall 50th Anniversary Collection’, The Preservation Hall Jazz Band
Gospel album: ‘Go Get It’, Mary Mary
World music album: ‘All of Me’, Estelle
Music video: ‘Girl On Fire’, Alicia Keys
Song: ‘I Look To You’, Whitney Houston and R. Kelly
Album: ‘I Will Always Love You: The Best Of Whitney Houston’, Whitney Houston
