2016 Orpheus Honorees

JAMES N. GIANOPULOS – Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of 20th Century Fox

James N. Gianopulos is the Chairman and CEO of 20th Century Fox, overseeing the motion picture divisions of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corp., which include Fox 2000, Fox Searchlight Pictures, Fox Animation Studios, Blue Sky Studios, Fox International Productions, and their related entities.

One of the longest-tenured studio chairmen in the film industry, Mr. Gianopulos has been involved in the evolution of new entertainment media and technologies for more than 25 years, and is considered a leading strategist in the industry.

During his tenure at Fox, he has overseen a broad range of successful films, including, most recently, DEADPOOL, THE MARTIAN, THE REVENANT, KINGSMAN: THE SECRET SERVICE, BIRDMAN, 12 YEARS A SLAVE, X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST, LIFE OF PI, DAWN OF THE PLANET OF THE APES, THE FAULT IN OUR STARS, THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL, as well as the two highest grossing films of all time, AVATAR and TITANIC, among many others.

Prior to his current post, Mr. Gianopulos was Chairman & CEO of Fox FilmedEntertainment and before that, he was President of 20th Century Fox International, a position he held since 1994. Before joining 20th Century Fox, Mr. Gianopulos held senior management positions at Paramount and Columbia Pictures.

 

J.K. SIMMONS – Actor

J.K. Simmons has appeared in projects spanning from motion pictures, television and the stage on and off-Broadway. He won the 2015 Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of merciless jazz instructor in Sony Pictures Classics’ WHIPLASH. His performance in the film also garnered him a Screen Actors Guild Award, Golden Globe, Independent Spirit Award and BAFTA Award, as well as many critics’ group awards around the world. WHIPLASH premiered at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival and won the Dramatic Audience Award and Grand Jury Prize for Best Film.

Most recently, Simmons completed production on THE SNOWMAN, I’M NOT HERE and THE BACHELORS. Simmons is currently in production on PATRIOT’S DAY, which centers on the Boston marathon bombing. This summer, Simmons will begin filming in the iconic JUSTICE LEAGUE.

In October 2016, Simmons will be seen in Gavin O’Connor’s THE ACCOUNTANT also starring Ben Affleck and Anna Kendrick, and in November 2016 he’s also due to be seen in Warner Bros.’ BASTARDS alongside Owen Wilson. Some memorable characters of his include J. Jonah Jameson in Sam Raimi’s SPIDER MAN trilogy and his portrayal of the off-beat but not deadbeat father in the hit comedy, JUNO. On the small screen, Simmons has appeared in the hit series The Closer, Oz, Law & Order, Parks and Recreation, and Men at Work.

 
 

LAGFF Orpheus Awards will be presented Sunday evening, June 5, 2016 at the historic Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood, following the Closing Night film. For tickets and All-Access GOLD PASS, visit our 2016 FILM LINE-UP page.