Avantgarde Award
Hall of Honorees
More than an award: a tribute!
Given to those whose work rises beyond expectation, this honor celebrates enduring excellence and the quiet power of a journey that inspires.
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Unlike other categories, there are no nominees here. No comparisons, no competition, no voting. Because some contributions speak for themselves — they simply echo.
The recipient of the Avantgarde Award is revealed annually alongside the other winners — but their legacy is already enshrined in our Hall of Honorees: a space of honor, remembrance, and deep gratitude.
Viola Davis
Viola is the best—no doubt about it! One of the most acclaimed actors of her generation, she was named one of Time's most influential people in 2012 and 2017 and ranked 9th on The New York Times’ list of the greatest actors of the 21st century.
With just one Grammy away from EGOT status, her Oscar win came for Fences, alongside three other nominations for Doubt, The Help, and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. On TV, she made history as the first Black woman to win the Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for How to Get Away with Murder.
Beyond acting, Davis is a dedicated advocate for human rights and women of color and has been a L’Oréal Paris ambassador since 2019.
January 24, 2022
Pierce Brosnan
Irish actor and producer Pierce Brosnan is best known as the fifth James Bond, starring in four films from 1995 to 2002, including GoldenEye and Die Another Day. Beyond his iconic role as 007, he has showcased his versatility in films such as The Matador, Mamma Mia!, and most recently, Black Adam.
A Golden Globe nominee, Brosnan is also a dedicated environmental activist and producer. In recognition of his contributions to the film industry, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1997.
January 23, 2023
Courteney Cox
Courteney Cox rose to international prominence as Monica Geller in Friends, one of the most beloved TV shows in history, and as Gale Weathers in the Scream franchise. With a career spanning decades, she has earned multiple Emmy and Golden Globe nominations, along with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Beyond these iconic roles, she starred in Cougar Town, Shining Vale, Bedtime Stories, Zoom, and Ace Ventura: Pet Detective. She also directed Just Before I Go and recently launched a line of cleaning products and a home beauty brand.
Who would have thought that the model from Bruce Springsteen’s Dancing in the Dark music video would go on to achieve such an incredible career?
January 23, 2024
Kevin Costner
A Hollywood icon whose career spans decades of unforgettable performances and visionary filmmaking. A two-time Academy Award winner, Kevin Costner captivated audiences with iconic roles in The Untouchables, Field of Dreams, and The Bodyguard.
On television, he redefined his legacy with Yellowstone, earning a Golden Globe for his portrayal of John Dutton. Last year, he embarked on his most ambitious project yet: Horizon: An American Saga, a sweeping Western epic set to unfold across multiple films.