Jay Kelly star Adam Sandler will be honored with the Chairman’s Award at the Palm Springs International Film Festival, it was announced on Friday.
The Film Awards will take place on Jan. 3 at the Palm Springs Convention Center, with the festival running from Jan. 2 to Jan. 11.
Netflix’s Jay Kelly follows movie star Jay Kelly (played by George Clooney) as he embarks on a tour of self-discovery alongside his manager Ron (Sandler). Noah Baumbach wrote and directed the feature that also stars Laura Dern.
Sandler, a comedian, actor, writer, producer and musician, has earned three Grammy nominations, seven Primetime Emmy nominations, two Golden Globe nominations and a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination during his long-spanning career. He also won the Independent Spirit Award for best male lead for his performance in Uncut Gems. Sandler’s credits include Billy Madison, Happy Gilmore (a character that he just reprised in the sequel Happy Gilmore 2), The Wedding Singer and Big Daddy, as well as Hustle, 50 First Dates, Murder Mystery, Just Go With It, Blended, The Longest Yard and Spanglish, among many more.
“Adam Sandler delivers a deeply moving and career-best performance in Jay Kelly,” Festival Chairman Nachhattar Singh Chandi says. “It is a performance which underscores his standing as one of the most versatile and respected actors of his generation. We are proud to honor Adam — a singular talent whose work continues to surprise and inspire — with this year’s Chairman’s Award.”
Sandler joins previously announced honorees, the cast of Sentimental Value, who will receive the International Star Award. Past recipients of the Chairman’s Award include Timothée Chalamet (who received an Oscar nomination for best actor that year), Clooney, Amy Adams, Viola Davis, Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell, Tom Hanks, Jennifer Hudson, Nicole Kidman, Regina King, Gary Oldman and Reese Witherspoon.
