With typical Canadian reserve, Edmonton-native Arthur Hiller tells CBC's Mary Lou Finlay that he's embarrassed but pleased with his honourary Oscar. The Academy periodically hands out the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award to an individual in the motion picture industry who has made significant contribution to charitable causes. That's certainly the case with Hiller, the distinguished director of such blockbuster movies as Love Story and Author Author.

Hiller has worked tirelessly for countless organizations including the Anti-Defamation League, the Deaf Arts Council and Amnesty International. Despite being a Hollywood big shot, Hiller hasn't forgotten his Canadian roots and finds time to speak at his old high school in Edmonton each year.

• The Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award is named after actor Jean Hersholt who served as the president of the Motion Picture Relief Fund for 18 years. Past recipients have included actor Paul Newman (1993), producer Quincy Jones (1994) and most recently Roger Mayer (2005), president of Turner Entertainment Co.

• Arthur Hiller was born on Nov. 22, 1923, in Edmonton.

• During the Second World War, Hiller served with the Royal Canadian Air Force.

• Hiller got his directorial start at the CBC. In 1949, he was hired by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation in Toronto. He directed public affairs programs and live television dramas before moving to Los Angeles.

• Hiller received his only Academy Award nomination for directing Love Story starring Ali MacGraw and Ryan O'Neal in 1970. He didn't win the Oscar, but he did receive the Best Director Golden Globe award for the film.

• In 2002, Hiller received a star on Canada's Walk of Fame in Toronto.

• In 2004, the Directors Guild of Canada honoured Hiller with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

• Hiller served as the president of the Directors Guild of America. He was a member of the Board of Governors and President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. He is a member of the National Film Preservation Board of the Library of Congress.

Medium: Radio
Program: As It Happens
Broadcast Date: March 21, 2002
Hosts: Barbara Budd, Mary Lou Finlay
Guest(s): Arthur Hiller
Duration: 19:20