'Ray' Garners 4 NAACP Image Nods
Mon 21 Mar, 2005

"Ray" hit all the right notes at the 36th NAACP Image Awards on Saturday (March 19), as the Ray Charles biopic nabbed four awards, including outstanding motion picture and yet another best actor nod for Jamie Foxx .

"This has been an absolutewonderful ride," said Foxx, who seemed genuinely humbled in the presence of presenters Sidney Poitier and Diahann Carroll . "Thank you, Taylor Hackford, for having the vision on this beautiful movie of Ray Charles. You took a chance in Hollywood.They said this was a black film ... but he stuck to his guns for 15 years."

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People , which is the nation's oldest and largest civil rights organization, fetes the best in movies, television, music and books that are by and about people of color. Hosted by Chris Tucker, this year's ceremony, which will air at 8 p.m. Friday (March 25) on Fox, took place at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion for the first time
Foxx was joined in the winners' circle by his "Ray" co-stars Kerry Washington (actress) and Regina King (supporting actress).

"I am so proud to be a part of this film, and I want to thank the NAACP," said Washington, who urged her colleagues to get more involved with the organization. "In these times, we need the NAACP more than ever, because we are in a time when so many of our rights as people of color, as women and as poor people are in danger of being stripped from us."

Morgan Freeman , who was not at the ceremony, won the award for outstanding supporting actor for his performance in "Million Dollar Baby."

INAUGURAL HONOR

For the first time, the NAACP bestowed an award to an outstanding independent or foreign film. "Woman Thou Art Loosed" producer Reuben Cannon accepted the honor on behalf of the Magnolia Pictures' film based on the novel by Bishop T.D. Jakes.

Touting the theme "Created Equal," the show featured inspirational musical performances by Stevie Wonder, Tye Tribbett, Yolanda Adams and Fantasia. Shortly after her performance, Fantasia was named outstanding female artist, and Usher was named best male artist. Kanye West took the prize for best new artist. Prince, who had the black-tie crowd grooving during a spirited set with Sheila E and Morris Day, landed the nod for outstanding album for "Musicology" and also received the prestigious Vanguard Award.

In addition to Prince, special honorees included Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., who received the Chairman's Award,and Oprah Winfrey, who was inducted into the NAACP Hall of Fame.

In television, "Kevin Hill's" Taye Diggs won the outstanding actor in a drama series award, while "Third Watch's" Nia Long was named best drama actress. On the comedy side, Bernie Mac was named best actor in a comedy series for his self-titled show, and "The Parkers"' Mo'Nique took home the female comedy actress honors