Review Board Honors Widmark’s Career

Richard Widmark, one of Hollywood’s most durable stars, received the D. W. Griffith Career Achievement Award for his 40 years in films.

The 75-year-old Widmark was presented the award at a ceremony Monday night from Sidney Poitier, who appeared with him in the 1952 movie, “No Way Out.” The award was given by the National Board of Review of Motion Pictures.

Widmark got his start in radio in the 1940s in New York, then appeared in several Broadway plays.

His screen debut in the 1947 thriller “Kiss of Death” is considered his most famous role. He received an Oscar nomination for that role--a psychopathic killer with a chilling laugh who pushed an old woman in a wheelchair down a flight of stairs.

Some of his other films include “Street with No Name,” “Panic in the Streets,” “Halls of Montezuma,” “The Cobweb,” “The Law and Jake Wade,” “Judgment at Nuremberg,” “How the West Was Won,” “Death of a Gunfighter,” “Coma” and “The Swarm.”

He starred in the television series “Madigan.”

Jessica Tandy and Morgan Freeman, stars of “Driving Miss Daisy” were also on hand for the ceremonies. Freeman won the Board of Review’s best actor, while “Miss Daisy” won the best picture category. Michelle Pfeiffer won best actress for her role in “The Fabulous Baker Boys.”

All winners were previously announced in December.

The National Board of Review winners:

* Best movie: “Driving Miss Daisy.”

* Best actor: Morgan Freeman, “Driving Miss Daisy.”

* Best actress: Michelle Pfeiffer, “The Fabulous Baker Boys.”

* Supporting actor: Alan Alda, “Crimes and Misdemeanors.”

* Supporting actress: Mary Stuart Masterson, “Immediate Family.”

* Director: Kenneth Branagh, “Henry V.”

* Foreign film: “Story of Women.”

* Documentary “Roger and Me.”

* Made for television movie: “Roe vs. Wade.”

* Miniseries: “Lonesome Dove.”