An actor, director, producer, writer and father all rolled into
one will be distinguished as an outstanding alumnus this year.
Tim Robbins is set to receive the Alumnus of the Year Award at
the 58th annual UCLA Awards Ceremony at the Hammer Museum in
May.
Robbins will be placed among many notable UCLA alumni who have
had their names inscribed on the Alumnus of the Year wall in the
James West Alumni Center.
“The award is given to honor someone who has either
brought distinction to UCLA through their professional
achievements, or their work to the university as an alum,”
said Keith Brant, executive director for the Alumni
Association.
Robbins is not only defined by his status as a UCLA alumnus but
is also known for his political activism.
Recently, the actor suffered the consequences of his criticism
of the war with Iraq.
The Baseball Hall of Fame was scheduled to celebrate the
fifteenth anniversary of “Bull Durham,” a movie Robbins
starred in, but cancelled the event due to the actor’s
political views.
His political stances have not affected his recognition at UCLA,
however. Robbins was chosen for the Alumnus of the Year Award in
November before the war began, and the Alumni Association did not
factor his political opinions into their decision.
“We have a committee that’s from both sides of the
spectrum, but (his activism) wasn’t an issue. We were looking
at Bruins,” said Wayne Collett, chairman of the Alumni
Association awards steering committee.
The decision to make Robbins this year’s award recipient
started with members of the Alumni Association who nominated
individuals for the award.
Members of a resource committee for the award were assigned
different nominated individuals to research, and letters of support
were sent in by alumni, based on the compiled information, which
was given to alumni members. The awards steering committee reviewed
the letters, chose the recipient, and gave their selection to the
Alumni Association’s board of directors.
“Tim Robbins was selected for his outstanding achievements
in his chosen field,” said Lindsay Fisher, Alumni Awards
coordinator.
The decision to give Robbins the award adds to the diversity of
fields with which the distinguished alumni are associated.
“It’s been about 15 years since the alumnus of the
year was in the field of entertainment,” Fisher said.
Robbins’ involvement with entertainment spans back to his
days as a student in the School of Theater, Film, and
Television.
After he graduated from UCLA he formed the Actors Gang, which is
in its 22nd year as an acting troupe.
Robbins is well known for his work with film, both in front of
and behind the camera, in addition to his theater work.
The actor has received two Golden Globe Awards for work on
“The Player” and “Short Cuts.” He also
debuted “Cradle Will Rock,” which he wrote, directed,
and produced, at the 1999 Cannes Film Festival.
Diversifying the list of award recipients by adding Robbins did
not play a part in the selection process.
“We look for outstanding Bruins, regardless of the
field,” Collett said.
As an alumnus, Robbins has been involved in the UCLA community
through his ties to the School of Theater, Film, and Television.
The school honored him as the filmmaker of the year at the UCLA
Festival 2000.
Robbins also presented the School of Theater, Film, and
Television with a $10,000 scholarship from the Directors Guild of
America, which is given to one program every year.
“He represents the crossover between theater and film that
the school exemplifies,” said Robert Rosen, dean for the
School of Theater, Film, and Television.
Previous recipients of the award include Jackie Joyner-Kersee,
Francis Ford Coppola, Ralph Bunche and William Ackerman.