‘Sister Act’ Gets Top Image Prize : Awards: TV’s ‘I’ll Fly Away’ wins three NAACP trophies, despite being put on hiatus by NBC.

“Sister Act,” a comedy about a fast-talking Las Vegas nightclub singer turned nun-in-disguise won the best movie award for motion picture at the NAACP’s 25th annual Image Awards. The film’s star, Whoopi Goldberg, was also recognized as outstanding movie actress at the Saturday-night ceremonies at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium.

The critically acclaimed series “I’ll Fly Away” received three television awards, including outstanding drama series, best actor and best actress. Ironically, a mid-season change has the show bumped from NBC’s schedule after Feb. 5, but the network says it may be back next fall.

The Eddie Murphy film “Boomerang,” up for the most awards in the motion picture category, received only one for its musical soundtrack.

The awards were given to individuals and organizations who present positive images of African-Americans and will be broadcast Jan. 23 on NBC.

A highlight of the evening was an appearance by Michael Jackson, who sang a few bars of “I’ll Be There” as he received the Entertainer of the Year Award.

The complete list of winners:

Motion Picture: “Sister Act”

Actor, Motion Picture: Denzel Washington, “Mississippi Masala”

Actress, Motion Picture: Whoopi Goldberg, “Sister Act”

Comedy Series: “Martin”

Actor, Comedy Series: Charles Dutton, “Roc”

Actress, Comedy Series: Jasmine Guy, “A Different World”

Drama Series, TV Movie or Miniseries: “I’ll Fly Away”

Actor, Drama Series, TV Movie or Miniseries: Dorian Harewood, “I’ll Fly Away”

Actress, Drama Series, TV Movie or Miniseries: Regina Taylor, “I’ll Fly Away”

Variety Series: “In Living Color”

Variety Special: “Great Performances: Natalie Cole--Unforgettable With Love”

News, Talk or Information Series/Special: “The Oprah Winfrey Show”

Daytime Drama: “The Young and the Restless”

Actor, Daytime Drama: Kristoff St. John, “The Young and the Restless”

Actress, Daytime Drama: Victoria Rowell, “The Young and the Restless”

Actor/Actress Under Age 18: Jaleel White, “Family Matters”

New Artist or Group: Arrested Development, “3 Years, 5 Months and 2 Days in the Life Of . . .”

Gospel Artist or Group: BeBe & CeCe Winans, “Different Lifestyles”

Jazz Artist or Group: Wynton Marsalis, “Blue Interlude”

Rap Artist or Group: Arrested Development, “3 Years, 5 Months and 2 Days in the Life Of . . .”

World Music Artist or Group: Shabba Ranks, “Rough and Ready, Vol. 1”

Male Artist: Stevie Wonder, “These Three Words”

Female Artist: Vanessa Williams, “Save the Best for Last”

Vocal Group: Boyz II Men, “End of the Road”

Music Video: “Black or White,” Michael Jackson

Album: “Boomerang” Movie Soundtrack, various artists

Literary Work: “Waiting to Exhale,” Terry McMillan

Entertainer of the Year: Michael Jackson

Chairman’s Award: Ron Brown

Hall of Fame Awards: Jerry Butler, Carmen McRae

Key of Life Award: “Time Out” (Earvin Magic Johnson, Arsenio Hall, Malcolm-Jamal Warner)

Leonard H. Carter Humanitarian Award: KJLH (FM 102.3), Jim Brown

Roy Wilkins Civil Rights Award: Jesse Jackson

Corporate Award: LaFace Records

Silver Awards: Maggie Hathaway, Bob Jones, Percy Sutton