Capping what was a pretty decent day for South Africa yesterday, one of the country’s most notable cinematic sons, Ronald Harwood, was accorded a knighthood in yesterday’s Queen Birthday Honors list. The Oscar-winning playwright and screenwriter (“The Pianist,” “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly,” “The Dresser”) is the only film figure granted that top honor in this year’s list. He offers this quote in response:
“I was truly surprised and greatly delighted to learn that I was to receive this honour. I arrived in England in 1951, at the age of 17, from South Africa where I was born in the hope of making my way in the great world. So it has been a long, fruitful and immensely enjoyable journey, crowned by this splendid reward for which I am deeply grateful.”
Lower down on the list is a trio of British actresses; most elevated among these is a second 2002 Oscar champ, Catherine Zeta-Jones, who was named a Commander of the British Empire for her film and charity work. (Okay, a CBE, but I like the mental image of the “Chicago” star commandeering an entire empire. You know she would.)
Hopefully, this honor will sprinkle some fairy-dust on her regrettably quiet film career — I’m afraid the release of the 2009 rom-com “The Rebound” passed me by, though she is currently up for a Tony for her Broadway debut in “A Little Night Music.”
Meanwhile, I’m pleased to see Sophie Okonedo was granted an OBE (one rung below a CBE — the O stands for Officer). The honor coincides with probably her best professional year since that semi-surprise 2004 Oscar nod for “Hotel Rwanda,” even if the fruits thereof have been limited to the small screen: her recent BAFTA-nominated turn as Winnie Mandela in the BBC TV film “Mrs. Mandela” should have Jennifer Hudson quaking in her boots.
Finally, veteran actress Anne Reid — whom you may remember for her BAFTA-nominated 2003 turn in “The Mother” — was awarded with an entry-level MBE. You can check out the full list here, if you’re so inclined; frankly, it’s so long, I’m a little hurt I wasn’t included. But them’s the breaks. Congrats to Sir Ronald et al.
Comments
3 responses to “Queen’s Honors for Harwood, Zeta-Jones, Okonedo”
I have to admit that I’m a sucker for these titles.
I’m glad charity work gets rewarded but doesn’t Winslet deserve something? Does she need to do stage work or something?
Winslet will have her day, I’m sure. Age counts for a lot in this process — except in the sporting category.
Oh gosh, Jim T, I came in here to comment on that drool-worthy picture of CZJ, but with my mind already in the gutter, I totally misread a word in your first sentence.