The BizParentz Foundation announced that the guest of honor at the 2010 CARE Award will be former child star Justin Henry, who to date holds the title of youngest Academy Award nominee on record (at 8 years old) for his turn in “Kramer vs. Kramer.” He was also nominated for the Golden Globe and won the Young Artist Award for the “Kramer” performance. This years CARE Awards will be held Sunday, March 14, at Universal Studios Hollywood.
“Justin was very fortunate to find success at an extremely young age. But he didn’t stop there. He continued his education and continued his career. That’s a great example for our current young stars,” said Paula Dorn, founder of BizParentz Foundation.
Henry debuted in show business with his heart-wrenching performance as the son of Meryl Streep and Dustin Hoffman in the 1980 Best Picture divorce drama, “Kramer vs. Kramer.” After that initial success he worked steadily in a slew of television guest star roles and films such as “Sweethearts Dance” and “Sixteen Candles,” with most viewers not even realizing he was the same adorable child of “Kramer vs. Kramer” fame. Henry left the industry to attend Skidmore College where he played lacrosse, participated in theatre and earned a Psychology degree. He returned to acting with the TV movie “Andersonville.” He continues his acting career today with roles in shows such as “ER” and “My Own Worst Enemy.” Younger audiences may also recognize him from his recent wins on “World Series of Poker.”
Henry, now a parent, believes that “acting is a wonderful playground where you can always be free.”
Henry will be honored alongside 150 of Hollywood’s youngest stars at the awards; unusual for Hollywood’s award season where intergenerational honors are hard to come by.
At first glance, CARE, aka Child Actor Recognition Event, looks like a typical Hollywood red carpet awards show. But CARE requires that even their 150 child honorees bring something to the table. To receive a CARE award, child actors must have worked professionally in 2009, kept a 3.0 grade point average in school, done community service, and written an essay. Additional criteria include acting study, union membership, clean online presence and an art project. Their parents must also prove their worth—they have to pass a written quiz that incorporates questions addressing current events like the issues involved in the current industry labor relations, and naming states that have child labor laws.
Henry will join awardees that include a hot slate of child stars. Awardees come from across the continent, representing at least 27 states and Canada. Past recipients of the CARE Award have included Margaret O’Brien, JoAnne Savage, Fred Savage and Stanley Livingston.
CARE is made possible by a full slate of corporate sponsors including Universal Studios, Laurel Springs School (which will award one lucky child at the event with a $2000 scholarship) and Disney. Proceeds from the event benefit the BizParentz Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to education, advocacy and charitable support to parents and children engaged in the entertainment industry. Find their website, along with photos of past CARE events, at www.bizparentz.org. For more information, contact BizParentz Foundation at (818)731-9897 or by email at bizparentz@aol.com.
