Oscar nominee Kate Hudson will be receiving the Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers Foundation’s highest honor, the 2025 Pioneer of the Year Award on Oct. 8th at The Beverly Hilton.
The Pioneer of the Year Award is awarded to those respected members in the motion picture industry whose leadership, service to the community, and commitment to philanthropy are exceptional.
“Kate Hudson’s influence extends beyond her outstanding contributions to the motion picture business. Her commitment to philanthropy and social causes inspires audiences everywhere to be active in their communities and support each other in times of need,” said Lisa Bunnell, President of Distribution at Focus Features and President, Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers Foundation.
“Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers Foundation is proud to celebrate Kate’s achievements and recognize her with the 2025 Pioneer of the Year Award,” Bunnell added.
All proceeds raised at the event benefit WRMPPF’s Pioneers Assistance Fund, the only charity of its kind in the nation which provides financial assistance and supportive counseling to individuals in the motion picture distribution and exhibition community in times of need.
Hudson made her studio film career debut in 200 Cigarettes followed by Cameron Crowe’s Almost Famous. Her performance in the latter earned her a Golden Globe Award, an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress, a BAFTA nomination and a Broadcast Film Critics’ Award for Breakthrough Performance.
Her feature credits include How To Lose A Guy in 10 Days; You, Me and Dupree; Fool’s Gold and Bride Wars, which she also produced. Additional film credits include Skeleton Key, Nine, Kung Fu Panda 3, Deepwater Horizon, Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon, Music and Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery.
The actress will next be seen starring opposite Hugh Jackman in the upcoming Focus Features musical drama Song Sung Blue, directed by Craig Brewer. The pic is based on a true story about two down-on-their-luck musicians who form a Neil Diamond tribute band. The movie hits theaters on Dec. 25.
Hudson released her debut studio music album, Glorious, in 2024. She currently stars in and executive produces the hit Netflix series, Running Point, which has been renewed for a second season.
Hudson’s dedication to philanthropy is demonstrated by her active involvement with The Hawn Foundation’s MindUP program, where she serves on the Board of Directors, advocating and supporting fundraising efforts for preventative mental health programs that equip students, educators and families with mental fitness tools to build greater emotional literacy and improve resilience to face challenges with optimism, strength and compassion.
Her many charitable and humanitarian affiliations also include the United Nations World Food Programme, Baby2Baby, Operation Smile, and numerous other organizations.
Past Pioneer of the Year honorees include Greta Gerwig, the late MGM and United Artists Distribution Chief Erik Lomis, Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, Tom Cruise, Donna Langley, Cheryl Boone Isaacs, Elizabeth Banks, Jim Gianopulos, Dick Cook, Michael D. Eisner, Alan Horn, Jeffrey Katzenberg, Kathleen Kennedy, Sherry Lansing, Frank G. Mancuso, Sumner Redstone, Terry Semel, Tom Sherak, Jack Valenti, Jack Warner, Darryl F. Zanuck and Cecil B. DeMille.
The Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers Foundation is comprised of three programs: Brave Beginnings, the Will Rogers Institute, and the Pioneers Assistance Fund.
A hospital created for Vaudevillians stricken with tuberculosis, the National Vaudeville Association Hospital was renamed the Will Rogers Memorial Hospital in 1936, as a tribute to Will Rogers. The hospital became a national training facility for doctors treating patients with tuberculosis, becoming known as the Will Rogers Institute. In 2002, the Will Rogers charity merged with the Foundation of Motion Picture Pioneers (FMPP) and became the Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers Foundation.
The Pioneers Assistance Fund (PAF) helps individuals in motion picture distribution, exhibition, and vendors exclusive to either sector who are encountering an illness, injury, or life-changing event. Social workers provide confidential consultations and financial assistance on a short-term or long-term basis to help a person resume living with dignity, health, and purpose.
Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers Foundation operates the PAF, which started as an annual social club get-together where a collection was made for those who may fall on hard times during the upcoming year. In 1947, the annual social gathering became a charitable program with an annual event, the Pioneer of the Year Dinner.
