USA: Helen Mirren is recognized with the 2007 Distinction in Theater Award for her commitment to the stage

Academy Award winning actress Dame Helen Mirren appeared elegant on the red carpet as she was honored with the 2007 Distinction in Theater Award. The award is given each year by the Geffen Playhouse during its Backstage at the Geffen Gala. The Fifth Annual event and reception is a "behind-the-scenes" peek at the performing arts through play readings, intimate storytelling and song. The fun-filled evening benefits the Geffen Playhouse's Education and Outreach Programs with impromptu entertainment and familiar faces including John Lithgow's presentation of Mirren's award. "I've lived in Los Angeles for a long time with my husband Taylor Hackford," explained Mirren on the importance of theater in Los Angeles. "It wasn't- there is theatre here, but there is not enough theatre here. So when the Geffen Theatre arrived it was a really celebratory and wonderful thing for theatre in general, to have a very good substantial professional theater, another one in Los Angeles. It was needed." Mirren has won international recognition for performances spanning four decades. For her role as Queen Elizabeth II in Miramax's "The Queen," Mirren won an Academy Award, Golden Globe, SAG, BAFTA and Critic's Choice Award. In addition, she was named Best Actress by every critic's organization from Los Angeles to London. Mirren has also received significant recognition for two other performances she filmed in the same year as "The Queen." For HBO, she portrayed Queen Elizabeth I in the miniseries "Elizabeth I." She won an Emmy, Golden Globe and SAG Award for that role. Mirren reprised her long-running character Detective Jane Tennison in "Prime Suspect: The Final Act," the last installment in the PBS series. The performance earned her a Golden Globe nomination, however she lost to herself - she was nominated twice in the same category.

ITN Source | May 9, 2007

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