Martin Short to receive lifetime achievement honour at 2016 Canadian Screen Awards
Comedian hosted rebranded CSA galas for first two years
Veteran Canadian funnyman Martin Short, creator of kooky characters such as Ed Grimely, Jiminy Glick and Franz Eggelhoffer, will be honoured for his lifetime achievement at the upcoming Canadian Screen Awards.
The Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television, which administers the annual celebration of homegrown productions, announced the honour on Tuesday morning. The prize recognizes exceptional contributions to the Canadian film and TV industries.
"Martin Short's creativity, talent and exuberance are boundless," academy chair Martin Katz said in a statement.
"In movies, television shows and on stage, his sharply-observed comic characters have won him a loyal following among audiences and critics around the globe. Throughout, he has remained an enthusiastic supporter of the industry here at home."
Short hosted the recently rebranded Canadian Screen Awards, which merged the former Genie (film) and Gemini (TV) awards for its inaugural broadcast in 2013.
He returned to emcee again in 2014, the same year he published his memoir I Must Say: My Life as a Humble Comedy Legend. Last year's ceremony was hosted by Andrea Martin, Short's former colleague on SCTV in the 1980s.
Successful career onscreen, onstage
Hamilton, Ont.-born Short, 65, rose to fame with his memorable performances on television sketch shows SCTV and Saturday Night Live.
On the big screen, he's had comedic turns in dozens of films, such as Three Amigos, Innerspace, the Father of the Bride remake (as well as its sequel), Mars Attacks, Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius and Frankenweenie.
His more recent TV work has included both comedic and dramatic fare, from Curb Your Enthusiasm, How I Met Your Mother, Weeds, Mulaney and The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That to Damages and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.
Short has also appeared onstage, earning praise for the 1993 revival of The Goodbye Girl and winning the best actor in a musical Tony Award in 1999 for Little Me. More recently, in 2006, he starred in his own Broadway show: Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me.
The 2016 Canadian Screen Awards gala, honouring the past year's best film, TV and digital media productions, takes place on March 13 and will air on CBC-TV.