Jamie Lee Curtis to receive 2021 Shatterproof Brian Mendell Memorial Award as ‘Halloween Kills’ tops box office
Jamie Lee Curtis [Andrew Eccles photo]
Curtis will receive the award at The Shatterproof Chairman’s Reception, which will take place virtually on Oct. 20.
Shatterproof was founded by Gary Mendell in 2013, after losing his son Brian Mendell to the disease of addiction. This year’s Chairman’s Reception is taking place on the 10-year anniversary of Brian Mendell’s death.
“I am humbled and honored to receive The 2021 Shatterproof Brian Mendell Award. Shatterproof is doing life-saving work that is making systemic changes to how people talk, treat and recover from addiction. It is so important that those of us in recovery share our stories to help end the unjust shame and stigma that surrounds this health crisis,” said Curtis in a statement.
The Shatterproof Brian Mendell Memorial Award is given to someone who is making change to end addiction stigma through their work and by using their voice. Curtis embodies this with her 22 years in recovery from substance use disorder. She uses her platform as well-respected member of the entertainment industry to speak out bravely concerning addiction and openly sharing her story, according to a news release.
“Jamie Lee exemplifies leadership in recovery and her leadership powerfully impacts breaking down stigma. By openly and honestly sharing her journey from addiction to a full, vibrant life in recovery, she is sharing a message of courage and hope. Shatterproof is honored to have Jamie receive this year’s award on the ten-year anniversary of the passing of my son,” said Gary Mendell, who is CEO as well as founder of Shatterproof.
In September, Curtis also received the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the 78th Venice International Film Festival in Italy. Throughout her career, Curtis has demonstrated her versatility as a performer, starring in acclaimed films such as the blockbuster “True Lies,” for which she won a Golden Globe Award; “Trading Places,” for which she earned a BAFTA (British Film Academy Award) for Best Supporting Actress; “A Fish Called Wanda,” for which she received duel Best Actress nominations from BAFTA and the Golden Globes; and the Disney feature film “Freaky Friday,” for which she received a Golden Globe nomination.
But it was her portrayal of Laurie Strode in Halloween, which was her film debut and brought her to the attention of audiences worldwide. Curtis’ turn as Laurie Strode in John Carpenter’s 1978 horror classic “Halloween,” which was her film debut, brought her to the attention of audiences worldwide as she created a character that continues to capture the cultural imagination more than 40 years later.
In 2018, David Gordon Green’s “Halloween,” again starring Curtis, metaphorically killed at the box office, earning more than $250 million worldwide, becoming the highest-grossing chapter in the four-decade franchise and setting a new record for the biggest opening weekend in history for a horror film starring a woman.
The follow-up, “Halloween Kills,” far surpassed expectations over the weekend, scaring up $50.4 million from 3,705 theaters, while also simultaneously making its streaming debut Oct. 15 on NBC Universal’s Peacock for premium subscribers, according to USA Today.
“Halloween Ends,” a third installment in the current “Halloween” trilogy starring Curtis and directed by Green, is scheduled to be released in 2022.
Craig Melvin, of NBC News’ “Today” show and author of “Pops: Learning to be a Son and a Father,” will be emcee of the Oct. 20 Shatterproof Chairman’s Reception, where Curtis will be honored.
Registration for the event, which is open to the public, is at www.chairmansreception.org. To learn more, visit www.Shatterproof.org.
-BAM
explore: addiction | awards | Halloween Kills | Jamie Lee Curtis | ShatterproofWelcome to The Week In Women, an AWFJ Network Blog authored by Brandy McDonnell
An Alliance of Women Film Journalists blog.