'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wAARCAAHAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFgABAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUH/8QAIRAAAQQBAwUAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQIDBBEABhIhBRMiUbH/xAAVAQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADBv/EABsRAQACAgMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAECAwAEESFR/9oADAMBAAIRAxEAPwDH5uptPL6JGjMwJrMxF9ySXd+7yugk8DihdWclPaiireWtuRPShSiUpKgSB6uh8xjKB37KZJEHn3vGLpDn/9k='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Quincy Jones was among the late celebrities honored at the Oscars 2025 during the “In Memoriam” segment. Oprah Winfrey and Whoopi Goldberg took the stage to pay tribute to the legendary record producer and composer.
Jones passed away last year in November at 91, following his long-standing struggles with pancreatic cancer. The celebrated composer, arranger, and record producer had a seven-decade-long career and earned 28 Grammy Awards. Jones was also nominated for Oscars seven times but didn’t win.
In 1995, the Academy presented him with the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award. The record producer was also awarded a posthumous Academy Honorary Award at the Governors Awards in November last year, two weeks after his demise. On his behalf, his daughter Rashida Jones collected the honorary Oscar statuette. She addressed the audience,
“Our father passed away two weeks ago today. He was really excited to attend tonight. And a lot of his family are here, four of the seven of us are here, and our beautiful family in the audience, and he has so many friends in this room – well, actually probably in every room if I’m being honest."
She continued,
“Wherever he went he made connections with everyone, real ones. He had this natural gift with people. He knew how to stay present, stay curious and stay loving. And he really really really intended on being with us tonight. And I want you to know that he is here. Very much here.”
Rashida went on to deliver her father’s speech, which he worked on before his death in November.
“I share this award and tonight’s honor with all the amazing directors, legendary actors, and of course exceptional songwriters, composers, and musicians who I’ve formed dear friendships with over my seven decades in this business, and know that I wouldn’t trade this night or those experiences for anything in the world.”
The Parks and Recreation actress acknowledged many collaborators of Quincy Jones and thanked the Academy for the honor. Holding back tears, she also added,
“In some ways, it was a difficult decision for our family to be here tonight but we felt like we wanted to celebrate his beautiful life and career.”
Rashida then asked everyone to honor her father by exploring and listening to his work. Apart from Quincy Jones, casting director Juliet Taylor received the Academy Honorary Award at the same ceremony.
Whoopi Goldberg and Oprah Winfrey presented the tribute to Quincy Jones, while Queen Latifah performed Ease on Down the Road at the 97th Oscars
During the “In Memoriam” section, the 28-time Grammy winner was honored on stage by his past collaborators—Oprah Winfrey and Whoopi Goldberg. Winfrey started the presentation by describing Quincy Jones as a “musical genius.” The famous talk show host, actor, and producer continued talking about the record producer’s achievements and influence.
Goldberg added to Winfrey’s remark by saying,
“When we talk about black excellence, we talk about Quincy, okay?”
She further said,
“In 1967, Quincy Jones was the first black composer nominated in the Original Song category for The Eyes of Love in the film, Banning. 1967 was the first time, just keep that in mind. And Quincy was also nominated that year for Original Music Score for In Cold Blood. He received seven Oscar nominations for The Whiz, In Cold Blood, For Love of Ivy, and The Color Purple, which me and Op were a part of.”
Trending
Oprah called Quincy Jones “love lived out loud in human form.” She proclaimed how the iconic composer “poured that love into others and into his work.” Winfrey also credited Jones for discovering her and becoming the reason for her first film, The Color Purple.
Goldberg and Winfrey welcomed Queen Latifah to the stage for her tribute performance of Ease on Down the Road from The Whiz.
Love movies? Try our Box Office Game and Movie Grid Game to test your film knowledge and have some fun!
Your perspective matters!
Start the conversation
