Ricky Gervais to Be Honored by BAFTA LA's Britannia Awards for Excellence in Comedy

BAFTA has announced that they will honor award-winning comedian, actor, writer and director Ricky Gervais with the Charlie Chaplin Britannia Award for Excellence in Comedy at this year's British Academy Britannia Awards. The annual gala celebration will take place on Friday, October 28, 2016 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.

As previously announced, the evening will be hosted for a second time by British actor and comedian Jack Whitehall. Ang Lee will be honored with the John Schlesinger Britannia Award for Excellence in Directing, and Samuel L. Jackson will be honored with the Albert R. Broccoli Britannia Award for Worldwide Contribution to Entertainment.

The Charlie Chaplin Britannia Award for Excellence in Comedy bears the name of the consummate British comedic artist and one of the most universally recognized personalities in the history of entertainment. The Award recognizes talent whose popularity and cultural impact exemplifies the uniquely transcendent quality of excellent comedy.

The British Academy Britannia Awards is produced through a partnership between BAFTA Los Angeles and Done & Dusted. Event Production and Management is by MTA Events.

"Ricky Gervais is a comic genius. He is provocative, edgy, and his observations on life have brought us some of the best comedy moments ever in television and film" said BAFTA Los Angeles CEO Chantal Rickards. "He crosses the pond with consummate ease, continues to push the comedic boundaries, and we're looking forward to raising a glass to his incomparable talents at the Britannia Awards."

The British Academy Britannia Awards evening is BAFTA's BIG NIGHT OUT in Hollywood, where Brits and anglophiles alike come together in celebration of exceptional individuals who have dedicated their careers to advancing the art forms of the moving image in the US, UK and beyond. Known to be an enjoyable evening that captures a unique blend of sincerity and British irreverence, the evening also serves to celebrate the long-standing collaboration between the British and American industries. THE BRITANNIA AWARDS are BAFTA Los Angeles' highest accolades, recognizing both outstanding British talent, and exceptional international talent by virtue of their strong connection to the British industry through their body of work. Proceeds from the event support BAFTA Los Angeles' on-going education, scholarship, community outreach and archival projects.

Photo credit: BAFTA/Ian Derry

Source: BAFTA.com

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