Jackie Chan among honourary Oscar recipients at Governors Awards

The president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences says the recipients of its 2016 honourary Oscars have instilled a love of cinema in future filmmakers.

President Cheryl Boone Isaacs said Saturday that actor Jackie Chan, film editor Anne V. Coates, casting director Lynn Stalmaster and documentarian Frederick Wiseman "inspire the next generation with that same sense of wonder and enchantment that first touched us as kids."

Honouree Anne V. Coates waves to the audience next to presenter Richard Gere, left. (Chris Pizzello/The Associated Press)

Jeff Bridges and Warren Beatty were among the stars greeting Stalmaster, who was the first person to receive an Oscar for casting.

Honourary Oscars used to be presented during the annual Academy Awards ceremony and to generally recognized talents. Establishing the untelevised Governors Awards ceremony has allowed for more comprehensive presentations and more diverse recipients.

Honouree Lynn Stalmaster, left, is embraced by presenter Jeff Bridges on stage at the 2016 Governors Awards at the Dolby Ballroom Saturday Nov. 12 in Los Angeles. (Chris Pizello/The Associated Press)

For example, Stalmaster — whose casting credits include West Side Story, The Graduate, and The Right Stuff — will become the first to receive an Oscar for casting. No casting category exists at the Academy Awards.

"This is exactly what the Governors Awards are meant to do," said David Rubin, who is producing this year's ceremony at Hollywood & Highland's Ray Dolby Ballroom. "It's a look at entire careers."

Honouree Frederick Wiseman, left, collects his award from presenter Don Cheadle. (Chris Pizello/The Associated Press)

Chan has said that as an action star, despite his decades in film, he never expected to win an Oscar.

Previous recipients have included stuntman Hal Needham, independent filmmaker Roger Corman and studio chief John Calley, as well as Steve Martin, Spike Lee and Lauren Bacall.

Actors Richard Gere, Don Cheadle and Michelle Yeoh were among the presenters.

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Jackie Chan among honourary Oscar recipients at Governors Awards