Rick Carter’s Oscars Replaced by the Academy Following Los Angeles Wildfires
The prestigious Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has taken significant steps to replace the two Academy Awards lost by renowned production designer Rick Carter, following devastating wildfires that tore through Los Angeles earlier this year.
Rick Carter, who has garnered acclaim and two Oscars for his exceptional artistry in films like ***Avatar*** (2009) and ***Lincoln*** (2012), faced an unimaginable loss when fires ravaged neighborhoods in Pacific Palisades and Altadena in January, destroying countless homes, including his own.
A Special Presentation by the Academy
In a touching ceremony held recently, Academy CEO Bill Kramer personally presented Carter with replacement statuettes, as announced through the Academy’s official Instagram account. The heartfelt caption stated:
“Today we had the honor of replacing the Oscars that legendary production designer Rick Carter won for AVATAR and LINCOLN — awards he lost when the LA fires destroyed his home earlier this year.”
The post celebrated Carter’s monumental contributions to cinema, remarking, “These new statuettes stand in for more than what was lost. They honor a visionary whose work has defined the visual language of modern film — from the Americana of ***Forrest Gump*** to the sweeping intimacy of ***The Fabelmans***. Rick doesn’t just design sets — he builds worlds we return to again and again.”
Reflecting on a Meaningful Moment
Carter expressed deep emotion during the post-presentation video shared on the Academy’s Instagram Story, stating, “I love my Oscars — in any form. This is really something, and having experienced them gone … I haven’t felt something like this since the fire because I couldn’t allow myself to.”
He further added, “This is pretty special. I mean, more than pretty special.”
A Legacy of Cinematic Excellence
In addition to his award-winning work on ***Avatar*** and ***Lincoln***, Rick Carter boasts an impressive portfolio as a production designer. His contributions span iconic films such as ***Back to the Future Part II***, ***Back to the Future Part III***, ***Jurassic Park***, ***Forrest Gump***, ***The Polar Express***, ***Munich***, ***Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker***, and ***The Fabelmans***. His first Oscar win for best achievement in art direction came in 2010, followed by a second Oscar for best achievement in production design in 2013 for ***Lincoln***.
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