Paul Giamatti, known for Private Parts (1997), The Truman Show (1998), and most recently The Holdovers (2023), is set to receive the Palm Springs International Film Festival’s Icon Award. Past recipients of the award have been Glenn Close, Willem Daofe, Michael Douglas, Robert Duvall, Lady Gaga, Tom Hanks, and Meryl Streep. 

In The Holdovers, directed by Alexander Payne, Giamatti plays a grouchy teacher at a New England Prep school, who is tasked with babysitting the students who remain on campus during the holiday season. Giamatti’s character forms an unlikely bond with a troubled, but highly intelligent student, played by Dominic Sessa. 

The film and Giamatti have garnered quite a bit of Oscar hype and is no stranger to accolades for his work in television and film. Already, the 56-year-old actor is an Oscar nominee and winner of an Emmy, Critics Choice Award, two Golden Globes, and three SAG Awards.

PSIFF chairman Nachhattar Singh Chandi said in a statement, “In The Holdovers, Paul Giamatti inhabits a complex character who is both challenging and rewarding, and ultimately reminds us of what it means to be connected as human beings. For his storied career of quintessential cinematic roles, it is our honor to present him with the Icon Award for this career-best performance.” 

Other winners at the Palm Springs International Festival include Danielle Brooks (Spotlight Award, Actress0, Colman Domingo (Spotlight Award, Actor), Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell (Chairman’s Award), Greta Gerwig (Director of the Year), Carey Mulligan (International Star Award, Actress) Cillian Murphy (Desert Palm Achievement Award, Actor), Da’Vine Joy Randoplh (Breakthrough Performance Award), Emma Stone (Desert Palm Achievement Award, Actress), Jeffrey Wright (Career Achievement Award) and Killers of the Flower Moon (Vanguard Award).