Lee Daniels, Megan Ellison, Rob Marshall to Receive SAG Foundation Awards

The Screen Actors Guild Foundation will honor Lee Daniels, Megan Ellison and Rob Marshall with the first “Patron of the Artists Awards” at the nonprofit’s 30th anniversary celebration on Nov. 5.

The honor recognizes individuals whose creativity has made a positive impact on the acting profession and the performing arts.

“This year, the SAG Foundation celebrates 30 years of giving back to the community, and our three Patron of the Artists Award recipients are class acts known for generously contributing to a worldwide community of artists,” said SAG Foundation President JoBeth Williams.

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“Each has discovered, nurtured and propelled creative talent both in front and behind the camera,” Williams continued. “Lee for diversity in storytelling and casting, Megan as a next-generation patron for auteur filmmakers, and Rob for reviving the musical genre and giving actors opportunities to showcase different talents.”

“Actors are the pulse of every project I do. I’m excited and honored to be part of this special event with the SAG Foundation,” said Daniels.

Daniels is an Academy Award-nominated filmmaker, whose credits include “Lee Daniels‘ The Butler,” “Precious” and “The Woodsman.” Daniels was the first African-American to be nominated for a Director’s Guild of America Award for “Precious.”

He is currently working on the television series “Empire,” for which he serves as a producer.

Also Read: Lee Daniels Reveals Nicole Kidman 'Empire' Cameo: 'I Can't Wait'

Ellison is the founder and principal of film production and finance company Annapurna Pictures. Ellison is one of only four honorees ever to receive two Best Picture nominations in the same year.

Marshall most recently directed and produced Disney’s “Into the Woods.” His other directorial credits include “Chicago” and “Memoirs of a Geisha.”

The SAG Foundation recently announced that Leonardo DiCaprio will receive the Actors Inspiration Award during the anniversary celebration.

The event will take place at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills on Nov. 5, and will include musical performances to be announced over the coming weeks. Ticket sales will benefit the SAG Foundation.

The nonprofit provides assistance and educational programming to the professionals of SAG-AFTRA while also benefitting the community with its signature children’s literacy programs. For over 30 years, the foundation has granted more than $17 million in financial and medical assistance through its Catastrophic Health Fund and Emergency Assistance Programs, as well as offering 5,000 free educational workshops, panels and screenings to union performers nationwide.

22 Biggest Snubs and Surprises: 2015 SAG Awards Nominations (Photos)

SNUB: Jessica Chastain failed to be recognized for her supporting role in "A Most Violent Year."
A24
SNUB: SAG voters also left off "A Most Violent Year" star Oscar Isaac from the Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role list.
A24
SURPRISE: Naomi Watts earned a very unexpected nomination for her performance in "St. Vincent."
The Weinstein Company
SNUB: Critics continue to rave over David Oyelowo's turn in "Selma" as Martin Luther King Jr. His name was left off the list of SAG Award nominees however.
Paramount
SNUB: Carmen Ejogo's portrayal of Coretta Scott King in "Selma" was ignored by the Screen Actors Guild.
Paramount
SNUB: "Selma" received zero nominations across every category on Wednesday morning.
Paramount
SNUB: Nominated for an Actor last year, Kerry Washington was left off of the list this year for her role as Olivia Pope in "Scandal."
ABC
SURPRISE: Jennifer Aniston's performance in "Cake" had some saying this could be the role that would earn her some long-overdue recognition. SAG voters gave her the first major nom of what could be a busy award season.
Cinelou Films
SNUB: Steve Carell received a nomination for lead actor but "Foxcatcher" was shut out in the Best Cast category.
Sony Pictures Classics
SURPRISE: Jake Gyllenhaal's edgy performance in crime-thriller "Nightcrawler" earned him a nod on Wednesday.
Open Road Films
SNUB: Amy Adams was forgotten for her portrayal of artist Margaret Keane in Tim Burton's "Big Eyes."
The Weinstein Company
SNUB: "Unbroken" was shut out in all major categories, though the film did score a nod for Outstanding Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture.
Universal Pictures
SNUB: Bradley Cooper's role in "American Sniper" failed to impress SAG voters enough to give him a nod.
Warner Bros.
SNUB: Neither of Marion Cotillard's performances in "Two Days, One Night" or "The Immigrant" were deemed worthy of a SAG Award nomination.
Cinéart
SNUB: Her role on "Masters of Sex" earned her an Emmy nomination but was ignored by SAG on Wednesday morning.
Showtime
SNUB: "Orange is the New Black" received a Comedy Ensemble nomination and co-star Uzo Aduba scored a nod for her role as Suzanne “Crazy Eyes” Warren. Taylor Schilling came up empty handed though.
Netflix
SNUB: In "Two and a Half Men's" final season, SAG failed to recognize Jon Cryer, who has only been nominated for a SAG Award once. Conversely, he's won two Emmys and been nominated seven times for playing Alan Harper on the CBS sitcom.
CBS
SNUB: She received an Emmy nomination in 2014 but Michelle Dockery failed to earn a SAG Award nomination for her role on "Downton Abbey."
PBS
SNUB: Another year without a SAG Award nod for Lena Dunham. The "Girls" star has yet to be nominated.
HBO
SNUB: Laura Dern was left off of the list of supporting actress nominees for her performance in "Wild."
Fox Searchlight Pictures
SNUB: Now in her fourth iteration of "American Horror Story," Jessica Lange was unable to secure a nomination for her role in "Freak Show."
FX
SNUB: After two straight SAG Award nominations, Jeff Daniels' name wasn't called on Wednesday morning. The HBO series, now in its final season, was snubbed in all categories.
HBO