International Academy to Honor Alan Alda & Norman Lear

NEW YORK: The International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences is honoring actor/director Alan Alda and writer/producer Norman Lear with two special Founders Awards at this year’s Gala, which is set for November 19 in New York City.

Alda played Hawkeye Pierce on the classic TV show M*A*S*H and wrote and directed many of the episodes. He has amassed 33 Emmy nominations. Lear began his TV career in writing in 1950, when he and his partner were signed up for The Ford Star Revue. Other credits include All in the Family, Sanford and Son, The Jeffersons and Good Times.

Celebrating the 40th anniversary of the International Emmy Awards Gala, the International Academy will present Emmys across nine categories as well as two special awards. Glee creator Ryan Murphy will receive the 2012 International Emmy Founders Award, while Korean Broadcasting System president and CEO Dr. Kim In-Kyu will receive the 2012 International Emmy Directorate Award.

“In television, as in other human endeavors, we are the sum of what has come before us,” said Bruce L. Paisner, the president and CEO of the International Academy. “It is with great pride, on the 40th anniversary of the first Gala, that the International Academy salutes these two industry legends, whose work has helped make us and television all that we are today.”