Reba McEntire, Bill Lawrence, Ynon Kreiz to Be Recognized at Paley Honors Fall Gala

Country music superstar and actress Reba McEntire (“Happy’s Place”), TV executive producer Bill Lawrence (“Scrubs,” “Shrinking”) and Mattel chairman/CEO Ynon Kreiz have been selected to be honored at the Paley Center for Media’s 2025 Paley Honors Fall Gala.

The Paley Center announced all three as recipients of its top prize, the Paley Honors Award, during a ceremony on Monday, Nov. 10 at the Beverly Hilton hotel.

Proceeds from the event support the Paley Center’s educational programs and preservation of media materials found in the Paley archives.

“We are honored to present each of these distinguished honorees with our highest recognition, The Paley Honors Award,” said Paley Center president/CEO Maureen J. Reidy in a statement. “Ynon Kreiz’s innovative vision, expertise, and business savvy have steered Mattel into an undisputed global media and entertainment powerhouse. For over twenty-five years, Bill Lawrence has entertained audiences around the world with his witty, iconic, and unforgettable characters from beloved series including Scrubs, Ted Lasso, and Shrinking, among others. From concert arenas to Broadway stages to television screens, Reba McEntire’s extraordinary voice, exceptional talent, and endearing personality have captivated legions of fans worldwide.”

In selecting McEntire, Lawrence and Kreiz, the Paley Center noted several accomplishments. In the case of McEntire, “a member of both the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Hollywood Bowl, she has earned over fifty awards, including honors from the ACMs, CMAs, Grammy Awards, American Music Awards, People’s Choice Awards and GMA Dove Awards. She was also a 2018 Kennedy Center Honors recipient and has received numerous philanthropic and leadership recognitions.”

Said McEntire: “Ever since I was a little girl watching Annie Oakley on our black and white TV in Oklahoma, I was captivated by the magic of media and entertainment. Back then, I could never have imagined seeing myself on that screen. I’m grateful for all the opportunities I’ve had, and it means so much to me to receive this honor from the Paley Center,.”

In the case of Lawrence, the Paley Center noted his vast array of credits, including “Shrinking,” “Ted Lasso,” “Scrubs,” “Cougar Town,” “Bad Monkey,” “Spin City,” “Clone High,” “Whiskey Cavalier,” “Undateable” and more. Next up is his untitled HBO comedy starring Steve Carell, and Bad Monkey starring Vince Vaughn, also for Apple TV. He recently received the Writers Guild of America East’s Herb Sargent Award for Comedy Excellence at the 77th annual WGA Awards.

“I want to thank the Paley Center for this honor,” Lawrence said. “As a storyteller, I’m grateful for their commitment to safeguarding and celebrating the cultural impact of media. As a lifelong TV fan, it’s thrilling to be even a small part of their legacy.”

As for Kreiz, under his lead Mattel has been growing its entertainment offerings in film, television, consumer products, digital games, live events and experiences, publishing, and music. The company’s first movie, “Barbie,” landed the largest global box-office in 2023 and became industry’s 14th-highest grossing movie of all time.

“The Paley Center’s 50-year commitment to preserving media’s rich history, while fostering dialogue about its impact on culture, is invaluable. It is a privilege to support the organization and be recognized among such accomplished honorees, past and present, who reflect the enduring influence of media and entertainment on our world,” said Kreiz.