Turner Entertainmentpresident Roger Mayer is to receive the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award fromthe Academy of Motion Picture Arts And Sciences.

Mayer will collect thehonour at the 77th Academy Awards on Feb 27.

"Throughout a more thanhalf-century-long career in the motion picture industry Roger has been afixture on the boards of a wide variety of charitable organisations," Academypresident Frank Pierson said in a statement, adding: "He has always given histime to support the needs of his industry."

Mayer started in theindustry in 1952 as a lawyer for Columbia Pictures and has served in variousposts for Columbia Pictures and MGM, where he eventually became president ofMGM Laboratories.

He is the founding chair ofthe board of directors of the National Film Preservation Foundation, has servedfor more than 25 years on the Motion Picture and Television Fund and counts theEntertainment Industry Foundation as one of many other charitable commitments.

Jean Hersholt previouslyserved as president of the Motion Picture and Television Fund under its formertitle the Motion Picture Relief Fund.