Will Smith to Receive MTV Generation Award at 2016 MOVIE AWARDS

MTV announced today that it will honor Will Smith with the Generation Award during the "2016 MTV Movie Awards." Smith, the epitome of the modern movie star, broke onto the scene with Independence Day and Bad Boys. He has been conquering box offices ever since, with titles like Men in Black, Ali, Concussion and the upcoming Suicide Squad, all while paving the way for leading men to be comedic, dramatic and socially conscious.

The "2016 MTV Movie Awards," hosted by Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart, airs on Sunday, April 10 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT from outdoors on the Warner Bros. backlot in Burbank, Calif.

"Will Smith and MTV have grown up together and share a very cool history," said Executive Producer Casey Patterson. "MTV was a part of every phase of Will's career and he has been a huge part of what defined the MTV culture from the beginning. From TV's 'The Fresh Prince of Bel Air,' to his music and amazing movies, Will is THE VOICE of a generation and not afraid to use it. The 25th anniversary of the 'Movie Awards' is the perfect year to honor #BIGWILLIESTYLE as only MTV can - with lots of big surprises in store."

Smith is a seventeen-time "MTV Movie Award" nominee and five-time winner, including two wins for "Best Male Performance" (I Am Legend in 2008 and Ali in 2001). He also hosted the "1994 MTV Movie Awards" when Menace II Society took home the top prize for "Movie of the Year."

The MTV Generation Award is the "Movie Awards" highest honor, acknowledging an actor who creates an amazing body of work throughout their career that speaks directly to the MTV audience. Past recipients include Robert Downey Jr., Mark Wahlberg, Jamie Foxx, Johnny Depp, Reese Witherspoon, Ben Stiller, Adam Sandler, Sandra Bullock, Mike Myers, Tom Cruise and Jim Carrey.

Official sponsors of the "2016 MTV Movie Awards" include M&M'S(R) Brand, Mountain Dew(R) and Taco Bell(R).

Casey Patterson, Garrett English and Jane Mun serve as Executive Producers for the "2016 MTV Movie Awards." Jim Roush serves as Co-Executive producer. Wendy Plaut serves as Co-Executive Producer and Executive in Charge of Celebrity Talent. Sandy Alouete is Executive in Charge of Music Talent.

About MTV: MTV is a global media brand inspired by the freedom and passion of youth. MTV is a unit of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA).

About Casey Patterson Entertainment: Casey Patterson Entertainment is a full service production company producing premium content, live events, and talent-driven series and specials with offices in New York City and Los Angeles. Patterson is an Emmy(R)-nominated, critically-acclaimed executive producer who has created an array of groundbreaking programming during her 20 year tenure at Viacom. Patterson's current projects include the breakout hit-series "Lip Sync Battle," the highest-rated series in SPIKE history; "Guys Choice;" Spike's "One Night Only;" "The TV Land Awards;" and "Rock the Troops" with Dwayne Johnson's Seven Bucks Productions. Patterson's credits include such high-profile events as "The Concert for New York City;" "The Concert of the Century at the White House;" "Saturday Night Live 25th Anniversary Special;" " The Comedy Awards;" "Between Two Ferns- A Fairy Tale of New York;" "The Video Game Awards;" "Scream;" "GQ Men of the Year Awards;" "VH1 Vogue Fashion Awards;" "VH1 Divas Live;" "FOX's "Billboard Music Awards;" and "NBC's "Concert for America."

Photo Credit: Walter McBride / WM Photos

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