American comedy writer Larry Gelbart has been chosen to receive the Humanitas Prize Kieser Award, which recognizes the humanizing talent of writers whose work has had significant impact in the entertainment industry.
“Larry Gelbart is a tremendous talent who possesses breathtaking vision and creativity,” said Frank Desiderio, president of the Humanitas Prize. “We are honored to give him the Kieser Award, which recognizes an individual whose work promotes a deeper appreciation for the dignity of each member of the human family. Larry’s work epitomizes that goal.”
Mr. Gelbart’s career spans more than 60 years, from radio to TV to the stage to the big screen. He wrote for the Danny Thomas radio show and Sid Caesar’s “Caesar’s Hour” and helped create long-running TV series “M*A*S*H.”
He has received numerous honors, including a Tony Award for co-writing Broadway hit “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.” He received Writers Guild and Edgar Allen Poe awards and an Oscar nomination for adapted screenplay for “Oh, God!” For the screenplay of “Tootsie” (which he co-wrote with Murray Schisgal), Mr. Gelbart won the Los Angeles and New York Society of Film Critics awards, among others, and earned Oscar, Golden Globe and BAFTA nominations.
Mr. Gelbart is the fifth recipient of the award, which will be presented at the annual Humanitas luncheon on June 26. Prior winners include HBO President Colin Callender, Frank Pierson, Fay Kanin and Bill Moyers.
(Editor: Horowitz)