Sean Penn up for Critics' Choice honor

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SANTA MONICA, Calif., Jan. 9 (UPI) -- Hollywood's Broadcast Film Critics Association says it plans to honor actor-director Sean Penn with its Joel Siegel Award.

Actor George Clooney, a 13-time Critics' Choice Award nominee known for his humanitarian work, is to present Penn with the prize at the 17th annual Critics' Choice Movie Awards ceremony, which is to take place Thursday and air live on VH1.

The annual award pays homage to "Good Morning America" film critic and BFCA member Joel Siegel, who died of cancer in June 2007. The prize honors those who use their fame as an enhanced platform to do good works for others, the association said.

Penn, a two-time Oscar winner and seven-time Critics' Choice Award nominee, founded the J/P Haitian Relief Organization shortly after a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti Jan. 12, 2010.

"We are extremely proud to be able to make this presentation to Sean on this night in particular, exactly two years after the devastating earthquake struck Haiti," BFCA President Joey Berlin said in a statement Monday.

"While it was heartening to see such an outpouring of support and aid for the Haitian people in the immediate aftermath of the tragedy, the long-term commitment made by Sean and his organization is particularly notable. The Joel Siegel Award was created to spotlight such above-and-beyond efforts by the leading lights of our industry and its spirit is truly personified by Sean Penn."