Shirley MacLaine will be presented with the American Film Institute’s 40th Life Achievement Award by former AFI honoree Meryl Streep. The private black tie gala will be held on Thursday, June 7 at the historic Stage 15 at Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City. The ceremony will air on TV Land on Sunday, June 24 at 9pm ET/PT.

The Life Achievement Award is the highest honor for a career in film. Streep, who played MacLaine’s daughter in ‘Postcards From the Edge,’ was honored with the award in 2004. Streep will be joined by various film luminaries to celebrate MacLaine’s career as an actress, singer, author, director and producer.

Bob Gazzale, President and CEO of AFI, said the world loves MacLaine. “AFI’s challenge will be how to fit it all into one evening because hers is a life that spans from movies to television to Broadway, books sand beyond,” he said. He added that her life is more than just movies.

TV Land’s President, Larry W. Jones, said “it is sure to be a magical evening celebrating (Shirley’s) career, especially with (Meryl) Streep and many other stars who will be on hand.” He added that MacLaine’s “storied film and television career is so rich and colorful, it will be an unforgettable tribute.”

The proceeds from the AFI Life Achievement Award gala will support the Institute’s national education programs. They will also preserve American history.

Written by: Karen Benardello

AFI Meryl Sreep Shirley MacLaine

By Karen Benardello

As a graduate of LIU Post with a B.F.A in Journalism, Print and Electronic, Karen Benardello serves as ShockYa's Senior Movies & Television Editor. Her duties include interviewing filmmakers and musicians, and scribing movie, television and music reviews and news articles. As a New York City-area based journalist, she's a member of the guilds, New York Film Critics Online and the Women Film Critics Circle.

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