The Union of British Columbia Performers (UBCP/ACTRA) has announced this year’s winners of the Sam Payne Lifetime Achievement Award.
The honourees are Danny Virtue and P. Lynn Johnson.
Named for Sam Payne, the late actor, the award is given to people with an outstanding body of work in the performing arts industry.
Danny Virtue is currently working as stunt coordinator on AppleTV’s big ticket series See.
Virtue’s resume is long and storied and packed with giving back. He a successful producer, director, stunt coordinator, stuntman, horse trainer and the founder of the Virtue Foundation. Since 2002 the foundation has raising awareness and helping kids who are physically, mentally or financially challenged since 2002.
Virtue’s credits list is as long as a horse’s leg and goes back three plus decades. Currently he is stunt coordinating AppleTV’s new series See.
“I’m very grateful for the award! I thank all the great actors and stunt performers for their support,” said Virtue, who runs the Virtue Ranch out in Mission and has been a mentor and tireless supporter to many stunt performers and crew members. “We have a very solid and talented community here in Canada.
“I was hoping for Rookie of the year.”
Like Virtue, Johnson has had 30 plus years in the business. She has played just about every kind of role including a nurse, a doctor (a lot), a professor, a governor and a senator. If it was shot in Vancouver there is a good chance Johnson was in it.
She has also helped bring along talent in her role as an acting teacher. She has been in the Capilano University drama department for the last 16 years.
“There is nothing more humbling, inspiring and honouring than being acknowledged by my peers,” said Johnson who has 30-plus feature film credits to her name. “I am so proud of this hardworking creative and supportive community.”