2008 Honorees

PIERCE BROSNAN

Recognized internationally as one of the most dashing and skilled dramatic actors in Hollywood today, Golden Globe Award nominee Pierce Brosnan will next star opposite Meryl Streep in the film adaptation of the Broadway hit Mamma Mia!

Brosnan received a Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture for his role as Julian Noble in the critically acclaimed film The Matador in 2005. Additionally, he received a nomination for this performance for Best Actor in a Lead Role from the Irish Film & Television Academy.

Most recently Brosnan starred with Chris Cooper and Patricia Clarkson in Married Life for director Ira Sachs. The film is a 1940s-set drama about a married man who cheats and to spare his wife the shame of a divorce he plots to kill her.

In addition to his work in front of the camera, Brosnan has always had an interest in the art of filmmaking.  Having achieved international stardom as an actor, Brosnan expanded the range of his film work by launching his own production company, Irish DreamTime in 1996, along with producing partner Beau St. Clair.

Apart from The Matador, Irish DreamTime has produced five other films to date:  The Nephew (1998), The Thomas Crown Affair (1999), Evelyn (2002), Laws of Attraction (2004) and Shattered (2007).  The company's first studio project, The Thomas Crown Affair, was a critical and box-office success and one of the best-reviewed and highest-grossing romantic thrillers in years.  Evelyn, directed by Bruce Beresford, opened to critical acclaim at the Toronto and Chicago Film Festivals and also garnered rave reviews.  Laws of Attraction, a romantic comedy, which teamed Brosnan with Julianne Moore, focused on dueling divorce attorneys who fall in love. Shattered is a psychological thriller in which Brosnan starred with Maria Bello and Gerard Butler.

Upcoming projects for Irish DreamTime include the second installment of The Thomas Crown Affair.

Perhaps best known worldwide as James Bond, Brosnan reinvigorated the popularity of the Bond legacy in box-office blockbusters such as Goldeneye (1995), Tomorrow Never Dies (1999), The World Is Not Enough (1999) and Die Another Day (2002).  Brosnan’s first three Bond films earned over a billion dollars at the international box-office and Die Another Day alone garnered almost a half-billion dollars worldwide.

In addition to his four Bond films, three other Brosnan films—The Thomas Crown Affair, Dante's Peak (1997) and The Lawnmower Man (1992) combined have earned hundreds of millions of dollars internationally, cementing him as one of the world’s most bankable stars.

Brosnan’s other film credits include the Civil War drama Seraphim Falls (2007) in which he starred opposite Liam Neeson, John Boorman’s critically acclaimed film from the John LeCarre novel, The Tailor of Panama (2001), Bruce Beresford's Mr. Johnson (1990) and Sir Richard Attenborough's Grey Owl (1999).  In addition to The Matador, Brosnan has also shown his comedic skills in such films as Mrs. Doubtfire (1993) and Mars Attacks (1996).  He also had a supporting role alongside Barbra Streisand in The Mirror Has Two Faces (1996).

Some of his many accolades include the 2007 Goldene Kamera Award for his environmental work, a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2002 Chicago Film Festival, the International Star of the Year at the Cinema Expo in Amsterdam, an Honorary Doctorate of Arts from the Dublin Institute of Technology, an Honorary Doctorate from the University College Cork and an Order of the British Empire bestowed by Her Majesty the Queen.
 
Brosnan was born in County Meath, Ireland and moved to London at age 11.  At 20, he enrolled in drama school and while in London, performed in several West End stage productions including Franco Zeffirelli's Fulimena and Tennessee Williams' The Red Devil Battery Sign at the York Theater Royal.  Brosnan relocated to Los Angeles in 1982 and immediately landed the role of private investigator Remington Steele on the popular ABC television series of the same name. 

Felicity Huffman has proven herself as an exceptional actress in both dramatic and comedic roles.  Huffman earned an Academy Award nomination for her stunning performance in “Transamerica,” as well as a Golden Globe Award and Independent Spirit Award for the same role.  Huffman has also been honored with an Emmy and a Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for her role on “Desperate Housewives.”

Huffman can currently be seen starring as “Lynette Scavo” on the ABC hit “Desperate Housewives” on ABC on Sunday nights at 9:00 PM.  The cast won the 2004 SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series and most recently won a Golden Globe for Best Television Series-Comedy or Musical.  Huffman was also nominated for Best Actress in a Television Comedy for “Desperate Housewives.” 

Huffman will next be seen in THINKFilm’s “Phoebe in Wonderland” which screened at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival.  The film stars Elle Fanning as a little girl who won't, or can't, follow the rules and seeks enlightenment from her unconventional drama teacher (Patricia Clarkson), as her mother (Huffman) looks to Phoebe herself for inspiration.

In 2007, Huffman appeared in Universal Pictures’ “Georgia Rule”.  The film was directed by Garry Marshall and co-starred Jane Fonda and Linsday Lohan. 

In 2006, Huffman starred in the critically acclaimed Weinstein Company film “Transamerica.”  The film, which was written and directed by Duncan Tucker, was the first ever acquisition for the company and starred Huffman as “Bree” a transgendered woman who embarks on a journey across country with her newly discovered son.  In addition to an Oscar nomination, Huffman won a Golden Globe and Independent Spirit Award for the role.  She was also was nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award and was awarded Best Actress by the National Board of Review and received a nomination for Best Actress from the Broadcast Film Critics Awards.  Multiple film festivals screened the film including the Toronto International Film Festival and the Berlin International Film Festival.  Huffman received Best Actress awards from the Tribeca Film Festival, the San Diego Film Festival, the Aspen Film Festival, the Florida International Film Festival and upcoming will be honored by the Palm Springs International Film Festival.  She was also honored by Movieline’s Hollywood Life with their “Breakthrough Performance” award.

In 2004, Huffman appeared in the feature film “Christmas with the Cranks” which
starred Tim Allen and Jamie Lee Curtis.  She also appeared in “Raising Helen” which starred Kate Hudson and John Corbett. 

On the small screen, Huffman was seen in 2004 in the television movie “Reversible Errors” with William H. Macy, Tom Selleck and Monica Potter.  Among her television movie credits are “Out of Order,” the critically acclaimed “Door to Door,” starring William H. Macy, “Path to War” starring Alec Baldwin and Donald Sutherland, “The Heart Department,” “Harrison, Cry of the City,” “Quicksand,” “Heart of Justice,” “The Water Engine,” and Underworld.”  Other television credits include “Chicago Hope,” “X-Files,” “Law and Order,” “Bedtime Stories” and appearances as a series regular on “He Human Factor,” the ABC series “Sports Night,” “Thunder Alley,” “Early Edition,” “Jules,” and “The Golden Years.”

Huffman is a founding member of the Atlantic Theater Company, an off Broadway theater company where she has been featured in numerous plays including “Dangerous Corner,” “Shaker Heights,” and “The Joy of Definitely Going Somewhere.”  Among her other stage credits are “Oh Hell,” directed by Greg Mosher ad the Lincoln center Theatre, “Boy’s Life,” directed by William H. Macy,” “The Loop” and “Grotesque Love Songs.”  Huffman also appeared in David Mamet’s “Speed the Plow.”  She received an OBIE Award for her portrayal of Donnie in Mamet’s “Cryptogram.” 

Huffman resides in Los Angeles with her husband, actor/director William H. Macy.

VIRGINIA MADSEN

A cool, classic beauty, with a vibrant blonde mane and an exuberant flair for the dramatic, Virginia Madsen is one of Hollywood’s most versatile and unique actresses to date. Not only did she receive amazing reviews for her Academy Award and Golden Globe nominated performance in Alexander Payne’s hit film, SIDEWAYS, but this Independent Spirit Award-winning actress has an illustrious resume of roles alongside the most notable and respected actors in the business.  Next up for Madsen is the Sundance hit DIMINISHED CAPACITY.  Madsen stars alongside Matthew Broderick and Alan Alda in this offbeat comedy from Plum Pictures about a man (Broderick) who teams up with his high school sweetheart (Madsen) to save his uncle (Alda) from a nursing home and buy them all a second chance at freedom—and love—in the process.  The film was just bought and is being released in July 2008 by IFC.

Madsen also recently formed a production company with partner Karly Meola called Title IX Productions.  Their first project is the fully financed documentary I KNOW A WOMAN LIKE THAT directed by Madsen’s mother, Elaine Madsen, about the lives of extraordinary women ages 64-94.  The duo also has several projects in development that they’re shopping around for financing including screenwriters Sebastian Gutierrez’s screen adaptation of Martha O’Connor’s novel THE BITCH POSSE and a remake of the 1984 film ELECTRIC DREAMS in which Madsen appeared.   She also has the starring role in Lions Gate’s thriller THE HAUNTING IN CONNECTICUT set for release in 2009.

Her other films include starring roles opposite Harrison Ford in the action thriller FIREWALL, Meryl Streep and Kevin Kline in the comedic drama A PRAIRIE HOME COMPANION, and Forest Whitaker in the existential drama THE RIPPLE EFFECT.  She recently starred opposite Jim Carrey in New Line’s psychological thriller THE NUMBER 23, directed by Joel Schumacher, and opposite Billy Bob Thornton in the comedy THE ASTRONAUT FARMER. 

Madsen has worked in Francis Ford Coppola’s THE RAINMAKER with Matt Damon, the cult classic CANDYMAN with Kasi Lemmons, HOT SPOT directed by Dennis Hopper, HBO’s first feature LONG GONE and David Lynch’s DUNE.  Madsen’s versatility was seen in the independent film, ALMOST SALINAS, opposite John Mahoney and in AMERICAN GUN, opposite Academy Award winner James Coburn. 

It was destiny for Virginia to become a star as her determination and talent quickly paid off.  When a Polaroid landed on the desk of the famed director David Lynch, he immediately cast her in his film DUNE.  Immediately following, Virginia landed a role in the first “computer” film, ELECTRIC DREAMS.

When Virginia became pregnant with her baby boy, Jack, she put her successful career on hold.  It wasn’t until Jack was in pre-school that the actress had notions of reentering into her Hollywood career. Upon hearing of Virginia’s desire to act again, Francis Ford Coppola asked her to audition for his latest project, the film version of John Grisham’s legal thriller, THE RAINMAKER, a role that reestablished Virginia’s dynamic career.  From there, her career began to soar again. And with the critical acclaim she received for her portrayal of “Maya” in SIDEWAYS and her roles in FIREWALL, A PRAIRIE HOME COMPANION, THE ASTRONAUT FARMER, THE RIPPLE EFFECT and NUMBER 23, it is clear that her hiatus to raise a family did nothing to hinder this go-getter from resilient success.

Many people know Virginia comes from a very talented family.  In addition to her Emmy award winning mother, Elaine Madsen, her brother is the gifted actor, Michael Madsen.  Virginia lives in Los Angeles with her teenage son.

Madsen is currently shooting AMELIA for Fox Searchlight opposite Hilary Swank and Richard Gere.  Virginia will play Dorothy Putnam, first wife to Richard Gere’s George Putnam, in the Amelia Earhart bio-pic filming in Toronto.

DENNIS QUAID

With every role he plays, Dennis Quaid upholds his place as one of the most charismatic actors of our time. Quaid received honors from the New York Film Critics Circle and The Independent Spirit Awards as “Best Supporting Actor of the Year” and also garnered nominations for a Golden Globe Award and Screen Actor’s Guild Award for his emotional turn as a closet homosexual in 1950’s New York in the critically acclaimed 2002 film, “Far From Heaven.”

Currently, Quaid stars in Sony’s “Vantage Point,” directed by Pete Travis and Miramax’s film “Smart People,” for director Noam Murro. The film premiered at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival.

Next, Quaid stars in the Universal Pictures feature film “The Express,” the true life story of Ernie Davis, the first black player to win the Heisman Trophy, whose NFL career was cut short by leukemia. Quaid will portray Davis’ football coach at Syracuse University.

Quaid also completed production on “The Horseman”. The film is about a recently widowed detective still grieving over his wife’s recent death and discovers a shocking connection between himself and the suspects in a serial killing spree linked to the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. Ziyi Zhang co-stars. Quaid just completed production on “G.I Joe” for Paramount studios and directed by Stephen Sommers.

Quaid’s last film was the satirical comedy “American Dreamz,” in which he played the President of the United States, along with an ensemble that included Willem Dafoe, Hugh Grant, Marcia Gay Harden and Mandy Moore. The film was written and directed by Paul Weitz for Universal Pictures.

In 2005 Quaid received a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He also starred in the family comedy, “Yours, Mine and Ours” Quaid with Rene Russo, the remake of the 1968 film, which originally starred Henry Fonda and Lucille Ball, was directed by Raja Gosnell for MGM and Paramount. “Yours, Mine and Ours” is the tale of a widower (Quaid) with 10 children who marries a widow (Russo) with 8 children. Quaid also received rave reviews for his role in the Universal Studio’s film, “In Good Company,” a coming of age drama with Scarlett Johannson and Topher Grace. The film was written and directed by Paul Weitz.

In 2004, Quaid starred in the Twentieth Century Fox action blockbuster film, “The Day After Tomorrow,” directed by Roland Emmerich, and just prior as ‘General Sam Houston’ in Disney’s “The Alamo,” which re-teamed him with director John Lee Hancock. Quaid also starred in another film that year: Twentieth Century Fox’s remake of “The Flight of the Phoenix” directed by John Moore and produced by John Davis and Bill Aldrich.

In 2002, Quaid starred in the title role of a high school baseball coach in Disney’s box-office hit “The Rookie,” based on the true story of pitcher Jim Morris who makes the major leagues at the age of 35. “The Rookie” was directed by John Lee Hancock, produced by Mark Johnson, Gordon Gray and Mark Ciardi and was released on March 29th. The film was awarded an ESPY by ESPN for “Best Sports Film of the Year.”

In 2001, Quaid starred in HBO’s “Dinner with Friends” for director Norman Jewison. Based on Donald Margulies’ Pulitzer-Prize winning play, the story explores the strains of modern-day marriages. “Dinner with Friends” received a 2002 Emmy nomination for “Best TV Movie.”

Quaid also starred in New Line Cinema’s 2000 hit, “Frequency” where he played a heroic firefighter who died at a young age, but was able to communicate with the son he left behind due to a time warp. The film was written by Toby Emmerich, directed by Greg Hoblit and also starred Jim Caviezel and Andre Braugher. The year 2000 also marked Quaid’s appearance in the critically acclaimed Steven Soderbergh suspense drama “Traffic” for USA Films opposite Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta Jones. Quaid portrayed a high-powered attorney who became involved in a web of deceit and scandal that resulted in deadly consequences.

Quaid made his directorial debut for TNT with the television film, "Everything that Rises," the story of a Wyoming man's struggle to hold on to the land passed down through generations which takes on a new poignancy when his son is critically injured in an auto accident. TNT premiered the film on July 12, 1998. Quaid also starred in Nancy Meyer's box-office hit "The Parent Trap," for Walt Disney, a remake of the 1961 classic, which was a summer 1998 release.

In the fall of 1998, Quaid was seen in the critically acclaimed film “Savior,” directed by Peter Antonijevic. Quaid starred in this realistic and heart-wrenching portrayal of a French-American mercenary who reclaims his humanity by rescuing a girl orphaned by the Bosnian War. Critics hailed his performance as the best of his career. Quaid also received considerable critical praise for his role as Doc Holliday in the Western "Wyatt Earp" in 1994, and for the Oscar-nominated space epic, "The Right Stuff" in 1983.

Quaid's impressive body of work includes the Warner Bros. film "Any Given Sunday,” directed by Oliver Stone; Jeb Stuart’s “Switchback;” “Gang Related,” opposite James Belushi; Lasse Hallstrom's "Something to Talk About," opposite Julia Roberts and Robert Duvall; the fantasy action-adventure film "Dragonheart;” Steve Kloves' critically acclaimed "Flesh and Bone;” Alan Parker's World War II saga "Come See the Paradise;” Taylor Hackford's "Everybody's All- American," opposite Jessica Lange; Peter Yates' "Suspect," with Cher; Annabel Jankel's remake of the 1949 film noir "D.O.A.;" Jim Bridges' "The Big Easy" with Ellen Barkin; and Joe Dante's "Innerspace.” He showcased his musical talents in the films "The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia," "Tough Enough" and "Great Balls of Fire."

Quaid began acting in high school and studied theater at the University of Houston. Soon after his arrival in Hollywood he landed the plum role of a working-class tough in "Breaking Away." Other early film credits include "The Long Riders" with his brother Randy, "9/30/55," "Crazy Mama," "Dreamscape," "All Night Long," "Our Winning Season," "Cavemen," "I Never Promised You a Rose Garden" and "Enemy Mine."

In 1983 Quaid starred with Mickey Rooney in the Emmy Award-winning television movie "Bill" and its sequel, "Bill: On His Own." A year later he co-starred with Randy Quaid in the off-Broadway production of Sam Shepard's "True West," which he later reprised in Los Angeles. Quaid splits his time between homes in Los Angeles and Montana.