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The Peabody Awards made a historic announcement on Thursday, revealing that Issa Rae and Lily Tomlin will be honoured with prestigious awards at the upcoming June 11 ceremony, to be held in Los Angeles for the first time in Peabody’s 83-year history.
The event will be hosted by the talented Jessica Williams, and will mark the first in-person ceremony since 2019. Issa Rae will be awarded the Trailblazer Award, recognizing her as a visionary who has made a significant impact on our culture and has brought about social change through her innovative storytelling.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelRae, known for her work on “The Black Lady Sketch Show” and “Rap Sh!t,” previously won a Peabody Award in 2017 for her groundbreaking series “Insecure,” which she co-created with Larry Wilmore.
Lily Tomlin, a renowned actress and comedian, will receive the Peabody’s Career Achievement Award, an esteemed honour reserved for individuals whose work and commitment to broadcasting and streaming media have made an indelible mark on the field and American culture.
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Tomlin has previously won two Peabody Awards in 1996 for her narration in the documentary “The Celluloid Closet” and her role in the television special “Edith Ann’s Christmas – Just Say Noël,” where she portrayed the iconic character she originated on “Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In” in 1968. Tomlin joins the ranks of esteemed recent winners of the career achievement honour, including Carol Burnett, Rita Moreno, Cicely Tyson, Dan Rather, and Sam Pollard.
Jeffrey Jones, the executive director of Peabody, praised Rae and Tomlin, stating, “Beyond our annual awards recognizing the most compelling stories, Peabody is dedicated to recognizing individuals that inspire and delight us. Lily Tomlin has made so many people laugh over the decades with her remarkable talent, and Issa Rae has proven herself a profound entertainment storyteller, performer, and force for good.
We’re thrilled to recognize Issa and Lily for not only their extraordinary contributions to storytelling, but also for their important role and place for women in comedy and entertainment.”
Of host Jessica Williams, Jones added, “Since breaking onto the scene with her hysterical segments on ‘The Daily Show,’ Jessica’s wit, wisdom, and powerful performances have established her as not only a comedic force, but also one of the great young actresses working today.
We relish pretty much every moment Jessica appears on the screen, and we are so thrilled that she will be hosting our first awards ceremony to take place in Los Angeles.” This announcement has generated excitement among industry insiders and fans alike, as Peabody recognizes and celebrates the exceptional achievements of these talented individuals in the world of entertainment.
