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2020 Norman Lear Honored At US-Ireland

12th, Alliance’s 15th Annual Oscar Wilde

February Awards

| .J. Abrams’ Bad Robot German, and a few others Alberto
EXAMINER Jwas the scene of the US- listed in there, but I’ve never Rodriguez/Getty
E.
production
company
been recognized by any of
Alliance’s
15th
Ireland
them.”
Wilde
In introducing Norman
IRISH annual Oscar Irishman, Lear, Abrams listed his many
Awards.
Honored were
accomplishments including
“honorary”
Norman Lear; Irish- his Kennedy Center Honors, Images
American comedian Tig his National Medal of Arts, for
Notaro; and Belfast-born his five Emmys and a Golden the
actress Jenn Murray. Globe. Abrams talked about
Abrams is an always funny his long personal relationship US-Ireland
emcee for the evening’s with Lear and noted that, “I
festivities. learned more from what
In introducing Belfast Norman Lear put on TV, Alliance
actress, Jenn Murray, Abrams than anything at school.” In
called her “someone to Lear’s autobiography, “Even
watch.” Jenn noted that she This I Get to Experience”, he
first came to this event four references many of his Irish
years ago, well before her act- influences and friends.
ing career had taken off, as George Bernard Shaw is his
the plus one of a friend. The favorite playwright. During
friend never showed for the his service in World War II,
event, and Jenn was too nerv- one of his best friends was
ous to walk the carpet on her one Jimmy Gorman.
own. So she left. “I subse- “He writes lovingly of his
quently met Trina Vargo, a years as a student at Emerson
year later, told her why I was College where he lived in the
a no-show, and we’ve been Back Bay rooming house of
friends ever since. I tell this Ma and Pa Lawless, as the
embarrassing story because Irish couple was known to
this is the beauty of this him. Lear said that his father
industry - one minute, It’s a always wore a green tie on St. Honored were “honorary” Irishman, Norman Lear; Irish-American comedian Tig Notaro; and Belfast-born
bit lonely and embarrassing, Patrick’s Day, insisting, incor- actress Jenn Murray
and the next minute it’s spec- rectly, that he was born on O’Neill was there to see Jenn many of the guests watch the Productions; many in the
tacular.” the day: ‘He had the most Murray wearing his design. presentations on Samsung’s gaming industry; and several
Trina Vargo, founder and exquisite brogue on his birth- Also celebrating with the The Wall, an award winning of the alums of the US-Ireland
president of the US-Ireland day, and he didn’t say a word, night’s honorees were Rick modular microLED display Alliance’s George J. Mitchell
Alliance, provided Notaro not a syllable, all day long, Famuyiwa, Steven Weber, that was installed inside Bad Scholarship program.
with some research on her that wasn’t in that Irish Elsie Fisher, the recently Robot. J.J. Abrams joked to In addition to Samsung,
family ancestry. Fiona brogue.’” appointed Chief Executive of the crowd, “Samsung if later other supporters of the event
Fitzsimons, Irish genealogist, Those in attendance Screen Ireland, Desiree tonight when you go to take included Screen Ireland,
with the Irish Family History included former honorees Finnegan, and Ireland’s The Wall back and it’s not WarnerMedia, Lightstream
Centre in Dublin, was able to Caitriona Balfe, Martin Short, Consul General to Los there, do not look in my Entertainment, Enterprise
trace Tig’s family Chris O’Dowd, Sarah Bolger Angeles, Orla Keane. office, you’re not allowed in Ireland, SendmyBag, PRG,
(McGettrick/Fitzpatrick) and Michael Burns. Travis Music is always a popular there.” and Scoir.
back to County Sligo. One of Knight, Academy Award part of the evening and the One of the most popular Kensington caterers pro-
Tig’s ancestors, John nominee for Best Animated British/Irish band, the Rua, events during Oscars’ week, vided the food, Irish favorites
Fitzpatrick, was the Mayor of Film (MISSING LINK), was performed. In the room was there are always many enter- with a contemporary twist.
New Orleans in the late 19th enjoying the night with Eimear Noone, who was the tainment execs in the room. Guests at the casual party
century. Maryse Fitzpatrick, and Irish first woman to conduct the Warner Media was represent- sipped Guinness, Tullamore
Previous honoree Martin colleague, David Burke. orchestra at the Academy ed by Peter Roth, Chairman D.E.W. whiskey and 1849
Short, introduced Tig The Irish on hand included Awards on Sunday. Several of Warner Bros Television Wine.
Notaro, who had the audi- Jason O’Mara; Kerry Condon; from Bad Robot’s indie music Group and Ann Sarnoff, the The honorees were pre-
ence in stitches: “Who needs Derry Girl Nicola Coughlan; label, Loud Robot, were Chair & CEO of Warner sented with a Hawke + Axel
the Grammys or the Emmys Roma Downey and her enjoying the music along Bros. Execs from Apple, award - a hand blown eternal
when you’re taking home the daughter/actress Reilly with Michael Giacchino, Paramount, Disney/Fox, and flame with a green ribbon
Oscar...Wilde. My given Anspaugh; and Stuart Wayne Jobson, and guests Hulu were also seen chatting running through it. A trip to
name is Mathilde Carolan and David Caffrey - from Universal Music Group, with many of the Bad Robot Ireland was given away on
O’Callaghan Notaro. the creators of the Irish tele- Sony and Spotify. execs and creators. the night, courtesy of The
O’Callahan is my mother’s vision series Love/Hate. The Several execs from sponsor The always eclectic guest Doyle Collection, Belmond
maiden name…. I wake up pair are now involved with Samsung, including Des list included Ynon Kreiz, and Aer Lingus.
with this every day, being Angel of Darkness, a limited Carey, head of Cinematic CEO, Mattel; CAA President, Recipients will also be able
Irish … also Italian some series for TNT. Innovation and Vice Richard Lovett; Suzanne to visit EPIC
French, some English, a little Irish fashion designer, Don President Mark Quiroz, saw Todd of Suzanne Todd www.epicchq.com. C