The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced the chat show host - who received an honorary degree in June from the University of the Free State in South Africa - will be awarded with the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award in recognition of her extensive charity work.

The 57-year-old American - who supports a number of good causes, including Academy for Girls in South Africa, as well as her namesake foundations - will be presented with the accolade on November 12 at the third annual Governors Awards dinner and ceremony at the Hollywood & Highland Center.

Oprah was nominated for Best Supporting Actress for Steven Spielberg`s `The Color Purple`, in which she made her film debut in 1985, and she now runs her own TV network after 25 years of presenting her self-titled US talk show, which came to an end in May.

Actor James Earl Jones - who has appeared in more than 50 movies, which has seen him provide the voice of Darth Vader, as well as starring in `Scary Movie 4` and `Patriot Games` - and make-up artist Dick Smith, NBC`s first make-up artist when he began his career in 1945, will also be awarded with honorary Oscars for their outstanding careers.
sections: Celebrities