Jerry Bruckheimer and Richard Taylor to Receive Career Honors at the 2026 VES Awards
The Visual Effects Society has announced its 2026 career honorees.
Jerry Bruckheimer, a renowned film and television producer, and Richard Taylor, co-founder and COO of Wētā Workshop, will receive the 2026 VES Lifetime Achievement Award and VES Visionary Award, respectively. The awards will be presented during the 24th VES Awards ceremony on February 25 at the Beverly Hilton.
Bruckheimer has been a dominant force in the film industry for nearly five decades, producing blockbuster films that have collectively grossed billions. His extensive filmography includes notable titles such as American Gigolo, Flashdance, Top Gun, and franchises like Beverly Hills Cop, Bad Boys, Con Air, and Transformers. His most recent projects include Top Gun: Maverick, which earned a Best Picture nomination, and F1, directed by Joseph Kosinski and starring Brad Pitt. Bruckheimer has also produced successful television series, including the CSI franchise, The Amazing Race, Cold Case, and Without a Trace, earning ten Emmy Awards from nearly two dozen nominations.
“I have been a filmmaker for over 50 years and have seen firsthand how the evolution of the VFX industry has unlocked amazing new types of storytelling time and time again,” Bruckheimer said. “Some of the most memorable collaborations of my career have been on projects where the VFX artists and technologists bring their magic to the screen. I am in awe of your talent, and am very grateful to the VES for this tremendous recognition.”
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Richard Taylor expressed his gratitude, stating, “I’m honored by this recognition from the Visual Effects Society, a community of artists and practitioners that I feel blessed to have been a part of since its inception. I accept this award on behalf of all of our crew at Wētā Workshop, whose work has always been in creative service — using practical effects, design, and physical craftsmanship to help expand what’s possible in collaboration with VFX and film-making teams around the world. For me, this award reflects the dedication, ingenuity, and generosity of spirit by so many of our artists that have joined me on this journey over the past 38 years.”
According to the Visual Effects Society, its Lifetime Achievement Award honors significant contributions to the art and science of VFX through vision, artistry, invention, and innovation. The Visionary Award is given to an individual who has uniquely employed VFX to inspire imagination and enable future discoveries through artistry and groundbreaking work. Both awards are presented by the VES Board of Directors.
“The VES Awards are our marquee event, honoring exceptional creative achievement and recognized as one of the entertainment industry’s most prestigious celebrations,” said VES Board Chair Kim Davidson. “We’re immensely appreciative of the respective and sustained industry contributions of Jerry Bruckheimer and Sir Richard Taylor and look forward to celebrating their remarkable achievements at this year’s awards ceremony.”
The Visual Effects Society also announced that comedy duo the Sklar Brothers will return to host the 2026 ceremony. Nominations for the 2026 VES Awards are set to be revealed on January 13.
