The Paley Center for Media Brought Together Countless Luminaries in New York to Celebrate Hispanic Achievements in Television
Wednesday, May 18, 2016
The Paley Center Celebration Continues this Fall with the Hollywood Tribute to Hispanic Achievements in Television
Paley Center Tributes Support Launch of Hispanic Collection in the Paley Archive
New York, NY – May 18, 2016 – Today, The Paley Center for Media brought together Hispanic luminaries, icons, and pioneers for a first-of-its-kind event to commemorate Latino trailblazers and celebrate today’s champions in the television industry. The Paley Center’s Tribute to Hispanic Achievements in Television, presented by JPMorgan Chase & Co., took attendees through a nostalgic journey of over seven decades of television history, starting in the early fifties, to tell the story of Hispanic achievement across all genres and pay tribute to some of today’s most popular television programs proudly produced by the biggest networks and studios in the world. Additionally, the Paley Center launched the Hispanic Collection within the Paley Archive, the nation’s largest publicly accessible archive of television and radio programming, and announced a second major event showcasing Hispanic Achievements in Television to take place in Beverly Hills, California this fall.
The star-studded event brimmed with Latino images and stories told by a wide array of Hispanic presenters across various television genres including drama, telenovelas, comedy, news, talk, reality, sports, and music. The night’s presenters included Angelique Boyer, José Díaz-Balart, Emilio and Gloria Estefan, America Ferrera, Luis Guzmán, Mario “Don Francisco” Kreutzberger, George Lopez, Edward James Olmos, Lana Parrilla, María Elena Salinas, Jimmy Smits, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Elizabeth Vargas. The Paley Center closed the festive evening with a special tribute to the legacy of Desi Arnaz by daughter Lucie Arnaz, for his memorable on-screen performances, breakthrough as the first Latino owner of an independent production company, as well as his use of the multi-camera setup for a live television show audience.
Among the many special moments from the evening are the following remarks by some of the participants of The Paley Center for Media’s Tribute to Hispanic Achievements in Television:
Gloria Estefan:
“The Paley Center is truly a national treasure. And we applaud them for the expansion and preservation of the Hispanic Archive, and making this material available to fans and researchers.”
Karl-Anthony Towns:
“The first time my family saw me on TV playing MSG Varsity, that was the first time they felt I could possibly be something. They were all glued to the TV set. It was unbelievable. I have family living all over and it was great for all of them to watch at the same time and to really feel connected.”
Angelique Boyer:
“In any language, telenovelas brighten our lives, and also teach us how to get through challenging times, how to be strong, how to stand up and speak your mind. And, whatever your social class, or profession, or family background, you can find love and you can become a success.”
América Ferrera:
“If television comedy had its own Bible, the first verse would certainly read: In the beginning, God created I Love Lucy and He hasn’t stopped laughing since.”
JPMorgan Chase & Co. returned as Presenting Sponsor, and Verizon Communications joined as Official Sponsor. Co-Chairs included: 21st Century Fox, Fox Television Group, FX Networks, Fox Audience Strategy, Fox Networks Group, CBS Corporation, Comcast NBCUniversal & Telemundo, Grupo Televisa S.A.B., Hearst, JPMorgan Chase & Co., TV Guide Magazine, Univision Communications Inc., Verizon Communications, Viacom/BET Networks, and The Walt Disney Company.
Tribute Host Committee supporters included: ESPN, Inc., The Loreen Arbus Foundation, Mel and Terry Karmazin, National Basketball Association, and SESAC. Patrons and Supporters included: AARP, Joan Ganz Cooney, Deloitte, El Rey Network, HBO, Interpublic Group, ION Media Networks, JW Marriott Essex House, Lionsgate, McCann, Mutual of America, Nielsen, Publicis Worldwide, Tishman Speyer, Accenture, Cisneros, Creative Artists Agency, Discovery Communications, Major League Baseball, NHL Foundation, Sony Pictures Television, and William C. Paley / La Palina Cigars.
Paley Center President & CEO Maureen J. Reidy and Executive Vice President of Programming Diane Lewis led the Tribute production team with former People en Español editor in chief Peter Castro and veteran television producer/writer Nancy De Los Santos serving as producers. The evening’s program was curated with the assistance and counsel of the Paley Center’s advisory organization, the National Council of La Raza and its CEO and President Janet Murgia.
Due to the overwhelming response from this event, The Paley Center for Media will host a Hollywood Tribute to Hispanic Achievements in Television at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, on the evening of Monday, October 24, 2016. This momentous occasion will mark the Paley Center’s second major event showcasing Hispanic Achievements in Television and further celebrate the evolution and historic contributions across seven decades of television pioneers and icons in the drama, telenovelas, comedy, news, talk, reality, sports, and music genres.
As part of an ongoing commitment to diversity in its programming, both New York and Hollywood Tributes also support the launch of the Hispanic Collection in the Paley Archive, the nation’s largest publicly accessible archive of television and radio programming. The Hispanic Collection, which continues to grow with over 500 unique programs and segments, will be preserved in perpetuity and used to educate scholars, students, the creative community, and the general public. Highlights of the Paley Hispanic Collection include a strong representation from the longest running variety show in television history – Univision’s Sábado Gigante. The Paley Hispanic Collection will also preserve the legacy of Desi Arnaz with classic radio and
television work, including rare material from the Lucille Ball collection. Sports is also showcased in the Paley Hispanic Collection via ESPN documentaries featuring great Hispanic athletes, including Roberto Clemente (baseball), Nancy Lopez (golf), and Pelé (soccer).
For information and to purchase tickets for The Paley Center for Media’s Hollywood Tribute to Hispanic Achievements in Television in Beverly Hills, California please call (310) 786-1030 or email SpecialEventsLA@paleycenter.org.
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About The Paley Center for Media
The Paley Center for Media, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with locations in New York and Los Angeles, leads the discussion about the cultural, creative, and social significance of television, radio, and emerging platforms for the professional community and media-interested public. Drawing upon its curatorial expertise, an international collection, and close relationships with the leaders of the media community, the Paley Center examines the intersections between media and society. The general public can access the collection and participate in programs that explore and celebrate the creativity, the innovations, the personalities, and the leaders who are shaping media. Through the global programs of its Media Council and International Council, the Paley Center also serves as a neutral setting where media professionals can engage in discussion and debate about the evolving media landscape. Previously known as The Museum of Television & Radio, the Paley Center was founded in 1975 by William S. Paley, a pioneering innovator in the industry. For more information, please visit paleycenter.org.
Media Contacts:
Brittany Forgione, The Paley Center for Media, bforgione@paleycenter.org, 212.621.6697