Film Icon Michael Douglas To Receive The O’Neill's 12th Annual Monte Cristo Award On April 16, 2012
The Eugene O’Neill Theater Center will present its 12th annual Monte Cristo Award to legendary film actor and O’Neill alum Michael Douglas in recognition of his monumental achievements and contributions to the American and international theater community. Mr. Douglas embodies the “pioneering spirit, unceasing artistic commitment, and excellence” of America’s only Nobel Prize winning playwright Eugene O’Neill. The award will be presented by wife and actress Catherine Zeta-Jones at a gala dinner held in his honor at the Edison Ballroom in New York City on Monday, April 16th.
Michael Douglas has enjoyed tremendous success as an actor since his breakout role in the TV series The Streets of San Francisco, co-starring with past Monte Cristo Award recipient Karl Malden. Over the last 40 years he has lent his talents to numerous productions, as both actor and producer, including; One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, The China Syndrome, Romancing the Stone, Fatal Attraction, Wall Street, Basic Instinct, Falling Down, Disclosure, The American President, and many others. Mr. Douglas is currently involved with the film Haywire, a thriller from director Steven Soderbergh.
Mr. Douglas has two Academy Awards. His first Academy Award was in 1976 for Best Picture as producer for the film One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and he won again in 1988, this time for Best Actor, for Wall Street. Mr. Douglas has received three Golden Globes, one Screen Actors Guild Award, and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Film Institute. 
The Monte Cristo Award is given to a prominent theater artist in recognition of a distinguished career exemplifying Eugene O’Neill’s “pioneering spirit, unceasing artistic commitment, and excellence.” Past recipients of the Award include James Earl Jones, Harold Prince, Kevin Spacey, Neil Simon, Jason Robards, Jr., Edward Albee, August Wilson, Zoe Caldwell, Brian Dennehy, Karl Malden, Arthur & Barbara Gelb and Wendy Wasserstein.
O’Neill Executive Director Preston Whiteway remarked “It is a rare moment when the O’Neill can honor an individual with such far reaching connections to our origins. Michael Douglas defines the ethos of the Monte Cristo Award – pioneering, artistic excellence, and a commitment to theater. His relationship to the O’Neill and to founder George White is profound, and I look forward to a fantastic and fun evening in April.”
Buy Tickets, Sponsorships, or more info
Individual tickets will be priced at $750 & $1000. For more information about the O’Neill’s Monte Cristo Award dinner, including sponsorship opportunities, table reservations, programs ads, or individual tickets, please contact:
Suzanne Hendrix, Director of Special Events and Membership
860-443-5378 x217
shendrix@theoneill.org.