Clooney to be awarded Emmy humanitarian prize

(AFP PHOTO / Tiziana Fabi)

The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, which telecasts the annual Emmy Awards, has selected George Clooney to receive its Bob Hope Humanitarian Award at the 2010 ceremony, August 29, in Los Angeles.

Clooney is being honored for his continued efforts on behalf of causes, in raising awareness, support, funds and mobilizing support in the entertainment industry. He is the fourth person to be presented with this special recognition since the award was established in 2002.

The actor was involved in Tsunami Aid: A Concert of Hope in 2005 and Shelter From the Storm: A Concert for the Gulf Coast following Hurricane Katrina, and most recently, the Hope For Haiti Now telethon which he organized with MTV. The Haiti fund-raising show has been nominated for an Emmy in the Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special category.

"George was an obvious choice for this honor," said Academy chairman and CEO John Shaffner at Wednesday's press conference announcing the award which hasn't been presented in six years.

Among Clooney's various charities, he founded ‘Not On Our Watch' with Ocean's Eleven co-stars Matt Damon, Don Cheadle and Brad Pitt to halt human rights atrocities in the Darfur region of Sudan. He has also donated millions of dollars in assistance to the UN World Food Programme and supports Bono's poverty-fighting One Campaign.

http://www.emmys.com

RC