Actor Eugene Levy will receive a lifetime achievement award and veteran band The Tragically Hip will be presented with the National Arts Centre award at a ceremony hosted by Governor General Michaelle Jean on May 2.

Levy, who has appeared in such movies as “American Pie,” “Father of the Bride” and “National Lampoon’s Vacation,” was among six recipients announced Wednesday for what’s described as Canada’s most prestigious artistic honour, the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award.

The annual honour, worth $25,000, is given to Canadians for achievement in theatre, dance, classical music or opera, popular music, film or broadcasting.

Meanwhile, the Hip will receive the National Arts Centre Award, also worth $25,000. The award “recognizes the work of an extraordinary nature and significance in the performing arts by an individual artist and/or company in the past performance year,” according to the Performing Arts Award website.

The Kingston, Ont. quintet will add this award to their many accolades, which include nine Junos, a place on the Canadian Walk of Fame and induction into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 2005.

Not ones to rest on their laurels, the band is currently recording a new album. They will also perform at a gala event at Ottawa’s National Arts Centre on May 3.






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