Kevin Bacon to Receive Joel Siegel Award at the 15th Annual Critics' Choice Movie Awards

THE AWARD WILL BE PRESENTED BY MERYL STREEP

AWARDS CEREMONY TO BE BROADCAST LIVE ON VH1 FRIDAY, JANUARY 15 AT 9:00 PM ET/PT

KRISTIN CHENOWETH TO HOST THE EVENING

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Jan. 5 -- The Broadcast Film Critics Association (BFCA) announced today that renowned actor and philanthropist Kevin Bacon will be presented with the third annual Joel Siegel Award by Meryl Streep at the 15th Annual Critics' Choice Movie Awards. The ceremony, hosted by Kristin Chenoweth, will air live on VH1 Friday, January 15, 2010 at 9:00 PM ET/PT

Given annually, this special award pays homage to beloved "Good Morning America" film critic and BFCA member Joel Siegel, who lost his long struggle with cancer in June, 2007.

Kevin Bacon is one of the foremost actors of his generation and has starred in over 50 films. His talent for balancing starring roles with powerful supporting characters on both film and stage has allowed him to build a varied and critically acclaimed body of work. Kevin has proven his talents in a wide range of film genres from action thrillers to romantic comedies to heavy dramas, and even the occasional musical. Kevin most recently starred in "Taking Chance" for which he received Emmy, Golden Globe and SAG Award nominations.

Kevin Bacons' Six Degrees foundation is about social networking with a social conscience. Through the SixDegrees.org web site you can support your favorite charities by donating or creating fundraising badges -- as well as check out the favorite causes of other people, including celebrities. SixDegrees.org was started with the nonprofit Network for Good in January 2007.

"Kevin has always held a special place in the hearts of our membership since he won the very first Best Actor Award we ever gave out for 'Murder in the First'," notes BFCA President Joey Berlin. "The Joel Siegel Award was created to celebrate its namesake's way of life in the spotlight. It honors a person who understands that the true value of celebrity is as an enhanced platform to do good works for others. Kevin personifies the values celebrated by this award."

Since its inception in 1995, the Critics' Choice Movie Awards has been a star-studded bellwether event of the movie awards season. The BFCA consistently picks nominees and winners that go on to garner more Academy Award� nominations and wins than any other movie awards shows. Of the 20 actors and actresses nominated for Oscars in 2009, 19 were first Critics' Choice Awards nominees.

The 15th Annual Critics' Choice Movie Awards, honoring the finest in cinematic achievement among 2009 film releases, announced its nominees on Monday, December 14, 2009. Final ballots will go out to the BFCA members on January 11, 2010 with the deadline for returning final ballots happening on January 13, 2010. For a full list of this year's nominees and information about the show visit CriticsChoice.VH1.com.

Counting down to the live premiere of the Critics' Choice Movie Awards, VH1 and MTV will air the 15th Annual Critics' Choice Movie Awards Red Carpet Pre-Show live on Friday, January 15 at 8:30pm (ET/PT). Covering the excitement of the celebrity arrivals on the red carpet will be former Access Hollywood co-anchor Nancy O'Dell. The pre-show will also be available on CriticsChoice.VH1.com.

The 15th Annual Critics' Choice Movie Awards is executive produced by Bob Bain, Joey Berlin, Jesse Ignjatovic and Lee Rolontz. Paul Flattery serves as producer and Kelly Brock as co-producer.

The 15th Annual Critics' Choice Movie Awards is sponsored by Walmart and WHEAT THINS.

About Broadcast Film Critics Association

The Broadcast Film Critics Association (BFCA) is the largest film critics' organization in the United States and Canada, representing hundreds of television, radio and online critics. BFCA members are the primary source of information for today's film going public. The very first opinion a moviegoer hears about new releases at the multiplex or the art house usually comes from one of its members.

About VH1

VH1 connects viewers to the music, artists and pop culture that matter to them most with TV series, specials, live events, exclusive online content and public affairs initiatives. VH1 is available in 95 million households in the U.S. VH1 also has an array of digital channels and services including VH1Classic, VH1 Soul, VH1 Mobile, VH1Games and extensive video on VH1.com. Connect with VH1 at VH1.com.