Robert Duvall and Kurt Russell to be honored at National Cowboy Museum's 2020 Western Heritage Awards in OKC

The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City will honor Academy Award winner Robert Duvall and Golden Globe-nominated actor Kurt Russell at the 60th annual Western Heritage Awards in spring.

Affectionately known as the “Oscars of the West” the Western Heritage Awards will present Duvall with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his 60-plus years working in the entertainment industry and promoting Western culture.

Along with his iconic roles in Francis Ford Coppola's "The Godfather," "The Godfather: Part II" and "Apocalypse Now," all produced by OKC native Gray Frederickson, Duvall is known for starring in Westerns like "True Grit," "Lonesome Dove," "Open Range," "Geronimo: An American Legend," "Lawman," "Broken Trail" and "Joe Kidd." In 1984, he won the best actor Oscar for playing a broken-down, middle-aged country singer in the musical drama "Tender Mercies."

During the Western Heritage Awards festivities April 17-18, both Kurt Russell and his father, the late Bing Russell, will be inducted into the prestigious Hall of Great Western Performers, according to a news release.

Along with his roles in the Western films "Tombstone," "The Hateful Eight" and "Bone Tomahawk," Kurt Russell has starred in the movies "Escape from New York," "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2," "Tango & Cash" and many more. He earned a Golden Globe nomination for best supporting actor for 1983's "Silkwood" and was nominated for an Emmy for portraying Elvis Presley in the 1979 telefilm "Elvis."

A prolific film and TV actor, Bing Russell (May 5, 1926-April 8, 2003) is best known for playing Deputy Clem Foster on the beloved series "Bonanza" and Robert in the 1960 film "The Magnificent Seven."

“The 60th annual Western Heritage Awards will bring together some of Hollywood’s biggest Western performers,” said National Cowboy Museum President and CEO Natalie Shirley in a statement. “This is an event that speaks to the heart of what the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum is all about, and we are so pleased to have Mr. Duvall and Mr. Russell with us to honor and celebrate the American West.”

In addition to the star power on this year’s inductees list, several past honorees will be welcomed back to serve as presenters for the evening’s ceremony. The event will feature actor and producer Barry Corbin; actor, musician, poet and stage performer Red Stegall; actor and son of legend John Wayne, Patrick Wayne; actor and producer Bruce Boxleitner; and actor, producer and Oklahoman Rex Linn.

“This is not only a big night for The Cowboy, it is a big night for Oklahoma,” Shirley said in her statement. “We are proud – and Oklahoma can be proud – of the legacy that 60 years of the Western Heritage Awards has brought to this state. We are known far and away as the preservers of Western culture, and the Western Heritage Awards both honors and celebrates that preservation.”

In addition to the awards presented to Duvall and the Russells, the Western Heritage Awards also will induct cattle ranchers Montford T. Johnson and Bennett Richard Houston into the Hall of Great Westerners. Third-generation rancher John Scott will receive the Chester A. Reynolds Memorial Award, named in honor of the museum’s founder.

Each award winner and inductee receives a Wrangler, a bronze sculpture of a cowboy on horseback.

Here is the schedule for this year's Western Heritage Awards:

Western Heritage Awards Events
Friday, April 17
The 60th annual Western Heritage Awards festivities begin April 17 at 11 a.m. with a workshop free to the public with museum admission. The Western Heritage Cocktail Reception begins at 5:30 p.m. and feature hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar. Western or business casual attire is required. At 6 p.m., attendees will take part in an autograph session with honorees.

Saturday, April 18
The Western Heritage Awards Panel with the honorees and moderated by actor and producer Rex Linn begins April 18 at 11 a.m. The panel discussion is free to the public with museum admission. The Western Heritage Awards Cocktail Hour begins at 5 p.m., followed by dinner service and the awards ceremony at 6 p.m.

Reservations are required for all evening events and will be available starting March 1.

For additional information visit nationalcowboymuseum.org/event/westernheritage or contact Kaylia McCracken, events coordinator, at 478-2250, ext. 218.

Sponsorship opportunities remain available; for more information nationalcowboymuseum.org/westernheritage or contact Trent Riley, Major Gifts Officer, at triley@nationalcowboymuseum.org or 478-2250 ext. 251.

-BAM

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