The Benny Award is bestowed on a New Zealand variety entertainer. It is presented annually by the Variety Artists Club of New Zealand, a non-for-profit organisation and showbusiness club, founded in 1966 and awarded to a variety performer who has achieved "A lifetime of excellence in their field of the performing arts".
Nominations
Nominations for the Benny Award are accepted from VAC members and the recipient decided upon by past Benny recipients, making its presentation recognition of the highest degree by the New Zealand entertainment industry.
Naming
The Benny Award was named after its first recipient, New Zealand variety performer Edgar Benyon (1902–1978) in 1969. The Benny statuette was designed and sculptured by magician Jon Zealando and features Greek muses Melpomene and Thalia, the traditional symbols of comedy and tragedy.
Recipients of the Benny Award include many New Zealand household names and figureheads of entertainment.
Recipients
YearRecipient 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2022 2023 2024 2024 2025
References
External links Variety Artists Club of New Zealand Website Biographical Information about all Benny Winners 2011 Benny Awards television coverage Max Cryer MBE presents the 2006 Benny to Alan Watson Max Cryer MBE presents the 2009 Benny to Eddie Low Max Cryer MBE presents 2010 Benny to Gary Daverne ONZM