PGA Honors Shonda Rhimes with 2016 Norman Lear Achievement Award In Television

The Producers Guild of America (PGA) announced today that powerhouse television producer Shonda Rhimes will be honored with the 2016 Norman Lear Achievement Award in Television, recognizing almost 20 years of groundbreaking and award-winning work as a renowned producer and showrunner. The award will be presented to Rhimes at the 27th Annual Producers Guild Awards ceremony on Saturday, January 23, 2016 at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza in Los Angeles.

The Golden Globe Award winner is the creative force behind such era-defining shows as "Grey's Anatomy," "Scandal," "How to Get Away with Murder," and "Private Practice." For her work on "Grey's Anatomy," Rhimes received the Norman Felton Award for Outstanding Producer of Episodic Television Drama from the Producers Guild of America.

"Shonda Rhimes is one of the most passionate and insightful storytellers in entertainment today. Her pioneering work on 'Grey's Anatomy,' 'Scandal,' and 'How To Get Away With Murder' has redefined the role of women in media and spurred the debate about diversity in television," said Producers Guild Awards Co-Chairs Michael DeLuca (SOCIAL NETWORK, CAPTAIN PHILLIPS) and Jennifer Todd (ALICE IN WONDERLAND, CELESTE AND JESSE FOREVER). "Like the intelligent, strong, and fearless characters she creates, Shonda is a true force to be reckoned with and we are privileged to honor her with this year's Norman Lear Achievement Award in Television."

"To be the recipient of an award bestowed upon me by my peers in the PGA is truly an honor. The fact that the award is named after a legendary producer whose work has had such an inspiring effect on my growth as a writer is genuinely gratifying. I couldn't be more grateful for this special recognition," said Rhimes.

The 2015 recipient of the Norman Lear Award was Mark Gordon. Previous recipients include Chuck Lorre, J.J. Abrams, Dick Wolf, Jerry Bruckheimer, Lorne Michaels, David L. Wolper, Aaron Spelling, Carsey/Werner/Mandabach, Steven Bochco, David E. Kelley, Mark Burnett and Norman Lear, himself.

About Shonda Rhimes
Shonda Rhimes is the prolific writer, executive producer and creator of the hit ABC series "Grey's Anatomy," and "Scandal." In addition to creating the "Grey's Anatomy" spinoff series "Private Practice," which ran on ABC for six seasons, Rhimes is the executive producer of the ABC series "How to Get Away with Murder," which premiered in 2014 as the number one new show of the Fall in adults 18-49.

Entering its twelfth season, "Grey's Anatomy" continues to be hailed by audiences and critics. For her work on the series, Rhimes received the 2007 Norman Felton Award for Outstanding Producer of Episodic Television Drama by the Producers Guild of America, the 2007 Golden Globe for Outstanding Television Drama, the 2007 Lucy Award for Excellence in Television from Women in Film, the 2006 Writers Guild Award for Best New Series, in addition to Emmy nominations for Outstanding Drama Series and Writing for a Drama Series. For "Scandal," Rhimes was the 2013 winner of the prestigious Peabody Award. Rhimes was the recipient of the 2012 GLAAD Golden Gate Award, 2010 RAINN Hope Award and a 2009 GLSEN Respect Awards Honoree. Additionally for "Private Practice," Rhimes received the Television Academy Honors award in 2010 and 2011 as well as the Prism Award for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series in 2011. As an executive producer on "How To Get Away With Murder," Rhimes was honored with the 2015 AFI Award for TV Program of the Year as well as the 2015 GLAAD Media Awards for Outstanding Drama Series. Across her shows, Rhimes was the 2005, 2013, 2014 winner of the AFI Award for Television Program of the Year. In addition, Rhimes has won an unprecedented 6 NAACP IMAGE AWARDS for Writing for Outstanding Writing in a Dramatic Series plus 8 NAACP IMAGE AWARDS for Outstanding Drama Series.

Aside from her success with network television, Rhimes wrote the feature film PRINCESS DIARIES 2: A ROYAL ENGAGEMENT, released in August 2004 by Disney. Additionally, her original script, "Crossroads," was released in 2002 by Paramount. She also co-wrote "INTRODUCING DOROTHY DANDRIDGE, produced by HBO and nominated for numerous awards, and for which Halle Berry won a Golden Globe and an Emmy for Best Actress in a miniseries for her portrayal of Dandridge. In 2004, Rhimes created her production company Shondaland.

In November of 2015, Rhimes will release her first book, "Year of Yes" from Simon & Schuster. The book candidly chronicles her moving and humorous attempts to come out of her shell by saying "yes" to everything that scares her.

About the Producers Guild of America (PGA)
The Producers Guild of America is the non-profit trade group that represents, protects and promotes the interests of all members of the producing team in film, television and new media. The Producers Guild has more than 7,000 members who work together to protect and improve their careers, the industry and community by providing members with employment opportunities, seeking to expand health benefits, promoting fair and impartial standards for the awarding of producing credits, as well as other education and advocacy efforts such as encouraging sustainable production practices. For more information and the latest updates, please visit Producers Guild of America websites and follow on social media:

Websites: www.producersguild.org, www.pgagreen.org, www.pgadiversity.org

Twitter: @ProducersGuild

Facebook: www.facebook.com/pga

YouTube: www.youtube.com/producersguild

Instagram: www.instagram.com/producersguild

Hashtag: #PGAwards

Photo Credit: Walter McBride / WM Photos

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