LA Press Club's National Arts & Entertainment Journalism Awards 2024
Diane Ljungaeus, Executive Director of LA Press Club, producer Jennie Synder Urman, actress Kathy Bates with her Legend Award, and Lisa Richwine, President of LA Press Club
Los Angeles, California, USA. 1st December, 2024. The Los Angeles Press Club (LAPC) held the 17th Annual National Arts & Entertainment Journalism Awards at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles, California. The National Arts & Entertainment Journalism Awards were founded in 2008, and recognize the finest in journalistic work across all mediums — print, radio, TV and online. The arts and entertainment awards include honoring journalistic excellence in film, theater, television, music, literature, and the fine arts. Los Angeles Beverly Arts (LABA) Board members Joey Zhou and Harrison Engle attended the red carpet and awards ceremony, and enjoyed the event.
The highlight of the evening was the LA Press Club Honorary Awards, the special awards that are given to those who have made significant achievements in entertainment and the arts. The Legend Award for lifetime achievement and contributions to society went to actress Kathy Bates, the Luminary Award to Kevin Frazier, the Distinguished Storyteller Award to music artist Melissa Etheridge, the Visionary Award to actress/comedienne Tiffany Haddish, and the David Robb Civil Justice Award to investigative/entertainment journalist, Rick Ellis.
Luminary Award for Career Achievement
The Career Achievement Award was instituted to honor a distinguished member of the entertainment journalism community. Kevin Frazier's career has expanded from news and sports to entertainment and celebrity journalism. He is currently a host at "ET", one of the most watched shows on televison focusing on entertainment.
Broadcast journalist Kevin Frazier with his award
Distinguished Storyteller Award
The Distinguished Storyteller Award was instituted to pay tribute to those committed to important storytelling in ways other than journalism. Melissa Etheridge has not only been a successful singer/songwriter, but an activist and philanthropist who has used her voice to help others get their stories heard and out into the wider world.
Music artist Melissa Etheridge
Visionary Award
The Visionary Award for humanitarian work was given to Tiffany Haddish, actress/comedienne and philanthropist, who devotes much of her time to helping children in foster care. Haddish founded the She Ready Foundation and the She Ready's Life Leadership Academy to help kids and young adults with resources, education, and emotional support, including job training, life skills, and an opportunity to learn about the film making process.
Actress/comedienne Tiffany Haddish with her Visionary Award for her charity and humanitarian work
David Robb Civil Justice Award
David Robb was a renowned labor and investigative reporter for Deadline who passed away in December of 2023. In honor of his contributions, the LA Press Club created a new award, the $5,000 David Robb Civil Justice Award to be given annually to the best investigative reporter focused on the entertainment industry. The award is funded by Anita Busch, a prominent journalist and former editor of The Hollywood Reporter. It was given to Rick Ellis of AllYourScreens.com, for his article, “Matthew Feeney Was Minnesota's 'Quiet On Set' Moment.” Rick Ellis is a former stand-up comic, syndicated talk show host, and award-winning news journalist.
Kelly Robb, widow of David Robb, with Rick Ellis and his David Robb Civil Justice Award
LABA Board members Harrison Engle and TV host Joey Zhou on the red carpet
TV host Joey Zhou and founder of Los Angeles Beverly Arts (LABA)
About the Los Angeles Press Club
The Los Angeles Press Club exists to support, promote, and defend quality journalism in Southern California. Our task is to encourage journalists by involving the public in recognizing such journalism together in belief that a free press is crucial to a free society. In addition, the Los Angeles Press Club provides a place for journalists to gather, network and learn from one another, especially through the sponsorship of events. The LA Press Club is the only organization in Southern California that speaks for all journalists in newspapers, magazines, radio, television and the Internet.
The Beverly Arts News is sponsored by Cynthia Clarté, MDSUN, Youben Hu Art Studio, and En Guangzhi Art Studio