Month: January 2025

President Joe Biden awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, to 19 people on Saturday. According to the White House, the Presidential Medal of Freedom is “presented to individuals who have made exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States, world peace, or other significant societal, public or private endeavors.” The award was established by the late President John F. Kennedy in 1963.

Recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom spanned across politics, culture and the arts, and included former Senator Hillary Clinton – the first woman to be nominated for president by a major political party — who “made history many times over decades in public service.” A statement from the White House read: “President Biden believes great leaders keep the faith, give everyone a fair shot, and put decency above all else. These nineteen individuals are great leaders who have made America a better place. They are great leaders because they are good people who have made extraordinary contributions to their country and the world.”

Other recipients included fashion designer Ralph Lauren, U2 frontman Bono, billionaire philanthropist George Soros, actors Michael J. Fox and Denzel Washington, and Inter Miami soccer star Lionel Messi. Additionally, Biden honored ethologist and conservationist Dr. Jane Goodall, retired Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson, chef and World Central Kitchen founder José Andrés, Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, science educator Bill Nye “The Science Guy,” LGBTQ activist and entrepreneur Tim Gill, billionaire philanthropist David Rubenstein and American Film Institute founder George Stevens Jr.

Those receiving the award posthumously were former Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, civil rights leader Fannie Lou Hamer, former Defense Secretary Ash Carter and former Michigan Gov. George W. Romney.

Biden gave brief remarks before presenting the awards on Saturday afternoon, stating: “For the final time as president I have the honor of bestowing the Medal of Freedom, our nation’s highest civilian honor, to a group of extraordinary — truly extraordinary people who gave their sacred effort to shape the culture and the cause of America. Together, you leave an incredible mark – and I mean this sincerely, this group – you leave an incredible mark on our country.”

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The Golden Globes honored Ted Danson with the 2025 Carol Burnett Award. Danson was the fifth recipient since the award’s inception in 2019, with previous recipients including Ryan Murphy, Norman Lear, Ellen DeGeneres and Burnett herself with the inaugural award. Actress Viola Davis was also honored at this year’s Golden Globes with the prestigious Cecil B. DeMille Award for her career accomplishments.

The Carol Burnett Award honors a person in the television industry “who has made outstanding contributions to television on or off screen,” with the Golden Globes considering the recipient’s body of work and lasting impact. Helen Hoehne, president of the Golden Globes, said in a statement: “Ted Danson has entertained audiences for decades with his iconic performances that will forever be ingrained in television history. His renowned career is a testament to his remarkable talent and versatility as an actor and bears resemblance to the award’s legendary namesake. It is an honor to present him with the 2025 Carol Burnett Award to celebrate the tremendous impact he has made and continues to make in television.”

Danson is a three-time Golden Globe nominee and three-time winner, earning Golden Globes for Best Performance by an Actor in a Limited Series, Anthology Series, or a Motion Picture Made for Television for the film, Something About Amelia (1985); and Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy in the hit sitcom Cheers (1990/1991).

Danson and Davis received their awards in front of their peers at the Golden Globes‘ Golden Gala, held at the Beverly Hilton. The event marked the first time the organization hosted a special ceremony for the recipients of its two historic honors, which in the past have been presented during the show’s live telecast. Danson and Davis’ awards were also recognized during the 82nd annual Golden Globes which aired Sunday on CBS.

During his acceptance speech, Danson said: “I have to admit I’ve always had a confusing relationship with awards. If I win, I feel a little embarrassed and lonely. If I don’t win, I feel a little embarrassed and lonely. But not tonight. Not tonight. I am so thrilled to get this award, Carol. I cannot tell you how much it means to me. You have brought so much joy and happiness into households all over the world. You radiate kindness. I love you so much.”

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The 82nd annual Golden Globe Awards was held on Sunday from Beverly Hills, California, hosted by comedian Nikki Glaser and airing live on CBS, as well as streaming on Paramount+ with Showtime.

Leading the list of winners included “Shōgun”, which was awarded in its four nominated categories – for best drama series, as well as best acting awards for Anna Sawai, Hiroyuki Sanada and Tadanobu Asano.

The Brutalist was named Best Movie, with Adrien Brody winning for Best Actor in a Movie for, and Brady Corbet winning Best Director.

Zoe Saldana won for Best Supporting Actress in a Movie for Emilia Pérez, which was also named Best Comedy or Musical and Best Foreign-Language Film. The film also received the prize for Best Original Song for “El Mal.”

Fernanda Torres, Kieran Culkin, Jeremy Allen White, Colin Farrell, Sebastian Stan, Demi Moore and Jodie Foster were also were among the individual winners in acting categories, while Ali Wong won the award for best stand-up performance on TV.

For the full list of winners, head HERE.

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Filmmaker Jeff Baena, actress Aubrey Plaza’s husband, has died at the age of 47. TMZ broke the story of Baena’s passing, sharing in an article that an assistant discovered Baena non-responsive at a Los Angeles area home Friday morning. First responders declared him dead at the scene.

According to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office, the circumstances and manner of Baena’s death was ruled a suicide (per PEOPLE.)

The writer-director worked with famous directors like Robert Zemeckis and David O. Russell, before making his own films which included Life After Beth, Joshy, Spin Me Round, The Little Hours and Horse Girl, four of which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.

Plaza, 40, and Baena began dating in 2011 and were married in 2021.  They were frequent collaborators. with Plaza starring in his 2014 directorial debut, the zombie comedy “Life After Beth.”

Baena is survived by Plaza, his mother, Barbara Stern, stepfather Roger Stern, father Scott Baena, stepmother Michele Baena, brother Brad Baena and stepsiblings Bianca Gabay and Jed Fluxman.

Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com