the amees

AFTRA Media and Entertainment Excellence Awards

  The AMEES

In 2003, the AFTRA Foundation initiated the AFTRA Media and Entertainment Excellence Awards (The AMEES) to honor individuals for their excellence in their craft and contributions to the fields of media and entertainment. Proceeds from the AMEE Award events go to benefit the AFTRA Foundation, a non-profit charitable and educational organization which provides support for special programs of value to AFTRA performers, broadcasters, and recording artists. 

  

In March 2009, actress Jean Cooper (The Young and the Rrestless), recording artist Smokey Robinson, sportscaster Vin Scully, and voiceover artist the late Don LaFontaine were honored at the AFTRA Media and Entertainment Excellence Awards on March 9, 2009. The awards dinner and ceremoney took place in the Chrystal Ballroom of the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles. All proceeds from the event went to benefit the AFTRA Foundation. Read more about the 2009 AMEES here.

  

In January 2008, actor Susan Lucci (All My Children), recording artist Maureen McGovern, and journalist Sam Donaldson (ABC News) were honored at the AFTRA Media and Entertainment Excellence Awards on January 28, 2008, a gala event sponsored by the AFTRA Foundation at Gotham Hall in New York City. The awards-nicknamed the "AMEES"-recognize members of AFTRA who have made a significant contribution to American culture. Read more about the festive evening and see photos here>>

                                                        

In 2005, the third AMEES were presented at the Hollywood Museum in the historic Max Factor building in Hollywood, CA, during the 60th AFTRA National Convention in Los Angeles. Honorees (pictured right): actors Susan Flannery (The Bold and The Beautiful), Don Hastings (As The World Turns), and Amber Tamblyn (Joan of Arcadia, The Grudge) were presented with AMEES in Entertainment; recording artist Patti Austin was honored with an AMEE in Sound Recordings; journalist Robert Hager (NBC News) received the AMEE in Broadcasting. 2004 AMEE award winner Bob Edwards emceed the event and guest presenters included AFTRA members Jason George (What About Brian, Eve, Barbershop), Patrika Darbo (Days of Our Lives, Step By Step, Mr. & Mrs. Smith), and Russ Tamblyn (West Side Story, Peyton Place, Twin Peaks). Almost $100,000 in charitable contributions were raised to beneft the AFTRA Foundation.

                                                        

The second AMEES were awarded in 2004 at a signature luncheon during AFTRA's summer National Board Plenary meeting in New York City and went to veteran broadcasters Bob Edwards and Willard Scott.

                                                        

The first AMEES were awarded in 2003 at a gala event held in New York, at the Waldorf Astoria. The on-air journalists of 60 Minutes: Ed Bradley, Steve Kroft, Dan Rather, Andy Rooney, Morley Safer, Bob Simon, Lesley Stahl, and Mike Wallace, received the AMEE in Broadcasting. Cedric The Entertainer received the AMEE in Entertainment and Roberta Flack received an AMEE in Sound Recordings. That night, 60 Minutes creator Don Hewitt ws presented with the George Heller Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to media and broadcasting.