Winfrey speaks during the OWN session at the 2011 Summer Television Critics Association Cable Press Tour in Beverly Hills
Oprah Winfrey, Chairman, CEO, and Chief Creative Officer of OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network, speaks during the OWN session at the 2011 Summer Television Critics Association Cable Press Tour in Beverly Hills, California July 29, 2011. REUTERS

Actor James Earl Jones will receive an honorary Oscar this year and Oprah Winfrey will be presented with a humanitarian award, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced.

Winfrey and Jones, both past Oscar nominees, will receive their awards at the academy's annual Governors Awards on November 12, along with makeup artist Dick Smith, who will also be honored with an Oscar.

Jones, a veteran of more than 50 films starting with "Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb," was nominated as best actor in 1970 for "The Great White Hope." Younger fans know him as the voice of Darth Vader in the "Star Wars" franchise.

Winfrey, who will be honored with the Jean Hersholt award, was nominated as best actress in her debut film, "The Color Purple," in 1985.

Smith, who is known as the "godfather of makeup," won an Oscar in 1984 for "Amadeus." His other noteworthy films include "The Godfather," "The Exorcist" and "Taxi Driver."

Both honorary awards, as well the Jean Hersholt award, are in the form of Oscar statuettes.

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