- The 15th Governors Awards celebrated Quincy Jones, Barbara Broccoli, Michael G. Wilson, Richard Curtis, and Juliet Taylor.
- The event featured emotional tributes, especially for Quincy Jones after his passing.
- Daniel Craig and Hugh Grant brought humor and admiration to the evening’s speeches.
The 2024 Governors Awards in Los Angeles was a grand affair, with Hollywood‘s biggest stars gathering to honor figures like Quincy Jones, Barbara Broccoli, Michael G. Wilson, and Richard Curtis.
The event, which traditionally kicks off the awards season, took on a somber tone following the death of Quincy Jones. His daughter, Rashida Jones, read the speech he had been preparing, celebrating his monumental impact on music and culture.
Quincy Jones, Bond Producers, and More Honored at Governors Awards 2024
James Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson received the prestigious Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award for their decades-long work in film. Daniel Craig, who starred in the Bond franchise, lauded the duo’s integrity, calling their films “the most expensive independent films ever made.” The evening also featured humorous tributes, with Hugh Grant playfully commenting on Richard Curtis’s “kind of Oscar.” The relaxed, untelevised nature of the event allowed for personal, emotional tributes to shine through, making it a memorable night in Hollywood.
Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson were recognized with the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award for their work in the Bond franchise. Their acceptance speeches were a tribute to the importance of producers, with Broccoli noting how the credit is now often handed out casually. Daniel Craig, who portrayed James Bond for years, praised their dedication to the franchise, calling the Bond films “the most expensive independent films ever made,” a sentiment that resonated with many in the audience.
The night also included moments of humor, particularly when Hugh Grant roared with laughter while honoring Richard Curtis, his frequent collaborator. Grant joked about Curtis receiving a “kind of Oscar,” while the crowd enjoyed the playful tone. Despite the jokes, it was clear how much admiration and respect there was for Curtis’s work, which has touched so many through films like Four Weddings and a Funeral and Notting Hill.
The Governors Awards provided a rare opportunity for friends and colleagues to gather without the pressure of televised broadcasts or award show constraints. In this intimate setting, stars mingled freely, with many sharing heartfelt conversations and laughs. The evening left an indelible mark, celebrating not only the achievements of these honorees but also the deep connections they have fostered throughout their careers.
The 2024 Governors Awards offered an unforgettable celebration of Hollywood’s finest, blending humor, heartfelt tributes, and personal moments that honored the legacy of iconic figures like Quincy Jones and the Bond producers.
Quincy Jones’s daughter, Rashida Jones, summed up the evening by saying, “We felt like we wanted to celebrate his beautiful life and career,” capturing the spirit of the emotional and celebratory evening.
