Actor, director, and activist Sean Penn will be honored by the Television Academy with the ‘Bob Hope Humanitarian Award, ‘ which will be bestowed on him at the Hall of Fame event on Wednesday, November 16, at the TV Academy’s Saban Media Center.

Penn, a two-time Academy Award winner, is well known for his activism efforts, including his work in Haiti where he founded the Community Organized Relief Effort organization, which focuses on community-first aid. Kim Coleman, co-chair of the Humanitarian Award Selection Committee, said “Sean’s activism and immense humanitarian efforts have had a profound impact on the global community, and he has effectively used his platform to motivate change.”  Co-chair Michael Spiller added, “Sean is responsible for getting help to people who need it the most. From Haiti to Ukraine to Los Angeles, he is an inspiration to us all.”

Additionally, six television figures will be inducted into the 26th Hall of Fame: documentarian Ken Burns, entertainer Rita Moreno, choreographer and actress Debbie Allen, CBS executive Bob Daly, BET founder Robert L. Johnson, and cinematographer Donald A. Morgan. The Academy is also set to unveil four new busts of previous inductees in the Hall of Fame sculpture garden, including Shonda Rhimes, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Joan Rivers, and Katie Couric. TV Academy chairman and CEO, Frank Scherma said: “These legendary performers, creators, craftspeople and television executives are luminaries in our industry. Their work has influenced and immeasurably elevated the current television landscape and culture. We are proud to induct these trailblazers into the Hall of Fame and honored to celebrate their extraordinary contributions to our industry.”

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