While Debbie Reynolds was able to accept the Screen Actors Guild’s lifetime achievement award herself, the Hollywood icon will not be able to receive her honorary Oscar in person this weekend.
In a statement to USA Today, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences said that Reynolds won’t be at the Governors Awards on Saturday because of an “unexpectedly long recovery from a recent surgery.” Instead, her granddaughter will accept the award on her behalf.
“I’m heartbroken that I’m unable to be there in person to receive this extraordinary honor you have given me,” Reynolds said in the statement. “So you could see how unbelievably happy you have made me. If joy could be weighed, this would be the most sizable rejoicing one could feel, especially if that one is me.”
The Academy announced in October that Reynolds would receive the 2015 Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award to recognize her work with The Thalians, a group that raises awareness for mental illness.
Reynolds, 83, is best known for her roles in ‘50s and ‘60s musicals, including Singin’ In The Rain. She was nominated for a Best Actress Oscar for The Unsinkable Molly Brown and she received the SAG Lifetime Achievement Award in January.
The Academy is also giving honorary Oscars to filmmaker Spike Lee and actress Gena Rowlands.