The Canopy Award honors a member of the New York television community who's persistence and integrity, bound by the twin spirits of independence and collaboration, stoke the creative ambitions of diverse people who have important stories to tell.
Anthony Anderson is a force of warmth, wit, and range whose three-decade career has carried him from Compton to the heart of American television. As Andre "Dre" Johnson on Black-ish, which he also executive produced, he invited millions of families into honest, hilarious conversations about identity, culture, and belonging, earning seven consecutive Emmy nominations along the way. From Detective Kevin Bernard on Law & Order to hosting the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards and Netflix's revival of Star Search, he continues to lift up new voices. His persistence, integrity, and commitment to inclusive storytelling embody the spirit of the Canopy Award, and we are thrilled to recognize his extraordinary career and welcome him to the 2026 North Fork TV Festival.
- Noah Doyle Founder North Fork TV Festival
Emmy and Golden Globe nominated actor, Anthony Anderson starred for 8 seasons in ABC’s multi-award nominated sitcom “black-ish” as Andre “Dre” Johnson, where he also served as executive producer.
Anderson can currently be seen in Chris Rock’s latest directorial feature MISTY GREEN which debuted at the 2026 Toronto Film Festival to rave reviews.
Anderson has also partnered with Cedric the Entertainer to launch their own barbecue label, AC Barbeque, and documented their journey to become barbeque masters on the A&E Network unscripted series “Kings of BBQ.” In 2026 the brand released their cookbook AC BBQ The Husky and Handsome Guide to Grilling.
Anderson is well versed as a host having hosted the Netflix reboot of the iconic talent competition show “Star Search” with first ever live real-time viewer voting. His other hosting credits include the 75th Annual Emmy Awards live on FOX, the ABC Game Show, “To Tell the Truth,” a popular primetime re-imagination of the beloved classic game show of the same name, and the FOX game show “We Are Family.” He also hosted and executive produced FOX’s “The Real Full Monty,” a two-hour special raising awareness for prostate and testicular cancer testing and research. In 2023 he embarked on a six-week journey around Europe with his mother for their E! reality series “Trippin’ with Anthony Anderson and Mama Doris.” Anderson was also executive producer of the ‘black-ish’ spin off, “grown-ish” for Freeform and “Road Trippin’” with Rickey Thompson and Denzel Dion which aired on SnapChat.
Anderson has numerous other television and over twenty film credits including SCARY MOVIE 6, G20, TRANSFORMERS, THE DEPARTED and HUSTLE & FLOW. Anderson has received seven Emmy consecutive nominations for “Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series,” four Emmy nominations for “Outstanding Comedy Series” as producer, three Golden Globe nominations and three Critics Choice nominations for his role on “black-ish.” He has won eight Image Awards and a total of 18 nominations in his career and has been nominated for four Screen Actors Guild awards, BET Awards, and Teen Choice awards as well as one People’s Choice Awards and one Kids’ Choice Awards. Anderson hosted the NAACP Image Awards for nine years from 2014-2022 and the CLIO Awards in 2022.
In 2020, he was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and in 2022, Anderson was named as one of the 2022 Disney Legend Award recipients, The Walt Disney Company’s highest honor recognizing individuals who have made an extraordinary and integral contribution to The Walt Disney Company.
“We are honored to present Kate Walsh with this year’s Ambassador for the Arts Award. For more than two decades, Kate has created characters audiences love, and her remarkable work across television and film has inspired viewers worldwide. Her commitment to the craft, and her generosity toward the next generation of storytellers, embody the spirit of this award. We look forward to celebrating her at the 2026 festival.” - Noah Doyle Founder North Fork TV Festival
Kate Walsh is best known as Dr. Addison Montgomery, the role she originated on Grey’s Anatomy before leading the hit ABC spin-off Private Practice, earning her a People’s Choice Award nomination. Walsh will next appear in HAL, inspired by the founding of Convoy of Hope, as well as Steve Pink’s comedy What the F*ck Is My Password?! She recently appeared opposite Liam Neeson in Honest Thief and had a feature role in Mike Doyle’s Almost Love. Recent credits include Sometime Other Than Now and the sci-fi film 3022, streaming on Amazon. Other credits include Madeline Wheeler on Netflix’s Emily in Paris and Olivia Baker on 13 Reasons Why. On film, she has appeared in Girls Trip and The Perks of Being a Wallflower.
The Ambassador for the Arts award is a special honor presented during the annual North Fork TV Festival in Greenport, New York. The award recognizes actors and creators not only for their commitment to promoting the arts, but for supporting independent television, and inspiring and guiding young creative minds in the world of television.
PHOTO CREDIT: Emily Assiran
The North Fork Breakout Performance Award celebrates an actor or television creative whose performance has captivated audiences and defined a moment in television. This award recognizes a standout role that showcases exceptional talent, depth, and originality, one that resonates within the industry and highlights dynamic storytelling.
“We are thrilled to recognize Denée Benton with this year’s Breakout Performance Award. Her work in The Gilded Age showcases the kind of depth, range, and magnetic screen presence that makes an actor truly stand out. With her success on screen and return to Broadway, Denée embodies the exceptional talent and artistry the North Fork TV Festival celebrates.” - Noah Doyle Founder North Fork TV Festival
Denée Benton is a Critics Choice and Tony Award-nominated actress celebrated for her commanding performances across screen and stage. She stars as Peggy Scott in HBO's acclaimed, Emmy and SAG-nominated series The Gilded Age, with its fourth season premiering this November. The role earned her a Critics Choice nomination for Supporting Actress.
This fall, Benton returns to Broadway starting in Jocelyn Bioh’s School Girls, Or the African Mean Girls Play. She made her Broadway debut as Natasha in Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812, earning Tony, Drama League, Theatre World, and Lilly Award nominations and a spot on Forbes' 30 Under 30. Her other Broadway credits include Hamilton and Into the Woods.
Benton's recent film credits include Shatara Michelle Ford's Dreams in Nightmares (Berlinale 2025) and Tender Thoughts (Tribeca 2024), as well as Richard Curtis' Genie opposite Melissa McCarthy and Our Friend alongside Dakota Johnson and Casey Affleck. She also played Ruby in Lifetime's cult classic UnREAL.
A proud Carnegie Mellon graduate, Benton continues to captivate audiences with her exceptional range and magnetic presence.
