Jean Hersholt was an actor and humanitarian, President of MPTF for 18 years, and the man who raised the money to buy and begin to develop the MPTF campus in 1941. He is also the namesake for the Academy’s Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award first bestowed in 1957. Before then, Hersholt had won two humanitarian awards from the Academy, one of which will soon be on display at the Motion Picture Home campus. On Sunday, April 25, 2021, the Academy honored MPTF, the 40th recipient and first organization, with this prestigious award. “The atmosphere was electric,” said Courteney Bailey, Chief Development Officer. “It was such an emotional moment for everyone. The feeling of gratitude and purpose just filled the room.”
Bryan Cranston presented the award to Bob Beitcher, MPTF President and CEO since 2011, with Jennifer Jorge, Director of Community Social Services, and Norma Carranza, Clinical Nursing Supervisor for Mary Pickford House by his side. 75 care workers and staff were in attendance, as Bob addressed an audience of over ten million watching live. “It’s the honor of a lifetime for all of us to work together and to receive this award.” Pictured above, Bob shares the Oscar® with Anne Faulkner, retired actor and long-time resident of the Motion Picture Home. Watch the award presentation here.
