Annette Bening to receive the annual Spirit of Katharine Hepburn Award in Old Saybrook

Annette Bening to receive Spirit of Katharine Hepburn Award in Old Saybrook, Connecticut — Photo via Netflix

Acclaimed actress Annette Bening will receive the 11th annual Spirit of Katharine Hepburn Award this summer. The honor will be presented at the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center’s Gala on Saturday, August 29, 2026. The venue, affectionately known as the Kate, presents the award each year to an individual who embodies the spirit, independence, and character of the legendary actress.

The annual gala serves as the largest fundraiser for the non-profit arts organization. Proceeds from the event support performing arts events, the official Katharine Hepburn Museum, and arts education programs that serve more than 3,000 students each year. The celebration honors both Hepburn and Bening as two generations of deeply respected women in film and theater.

Bening is a distinguished actress of stage and screen whose work has earned five Academy Award nominations. Her extensive career accolades also include two Golden Globe awards, two BAFTA awards, a Screen Actors Guild award, two Tony Award nominations, an Emmy Award nomination, and three Critics Choice Award nominations.

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The actress has starred in numerous films including Bugsy, American Beauty, and Being Julia, which won her a Golden Globe for Best Actress. She secured additional Oscar nominations for her leading roles in The Kids Are All Right and as swimmer Diana Nyad in the Netflix biographical film Nyad. Her other film credits include Captain Marvel, Death on the Nile, The American President, and The Grifters.

Her upcoming projects include the Apple TV+ series Lucky alongside Anya Taylor-Joy and the Yellowstone spinoff series Dutton Ranch. She will also appear opposite George Clooney in In Love, a project based on the bestselling memoir by Amy Bloom. On stage, Bening was last seen in the Broadway revival of Arthur Miller’s All My Sons, which earned her a Tony nomination.

Throughout her career, Bening has been a devoted advocate for arts education and dedicated time to various programs. She currently serves as Chair of the Board of the Entertainment Community Fund, a national human services organization addressing the needs of performing arts workers. Bening graduated from San Francisco State University and trained at the American Conservatory Theater.

The upcoming gala is sponsored by AT&T, Ascend Bank in partnership with the Community Foundation of Middlesex County, Essex Financial, Kainen Escalera and McHale PC, Liberty Bank, Possidento Therrien Electrical Contractors, and Red Paper Plane. Additional information regarding tickets and the event schedule can be found on the venue website or by calling the center.

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Annette Bening to receive the annual Spirit of Katharine Hepburn Award in Old Saybrook