Kris Kristofferson, others honored at Diversity Awards

<br>LOS ANGELES (AP) _ Actor and country music star Kris Kristofferson was among the Tinseltown luminaries honored Saturday at the Diversity Awards in Hollywood. <br><br>The ninth annual gala, presented

Monday, November 19th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

LOS ANGELES (AP) _ Actor and country music star Kris Kristofferson was among the Tinseltown luminaries honored Saturday at the Diversity Awards in Hollywood.

The ninth annual gala, presented by the Multicultural Motion Picture Association, recognized Kristofferson with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

He is known for his turn as the outlaw Billy in the 1973 Western ``Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid'' and for his starring role in ``A Star is Born'' opposite Barbra Streisand.

The honorees were chosen by the 1,200 voting members of the MMPA, based on their work in improving diversity on film and television, said spokesman Brad Daly.

``Every one has a story to tell,'' he said. ``We want to bring more diverse voices to the silver screen and television.''

Other entertainment professionals honored include actors Vin Diesel, Cuba Gooding Jr., Ving Rhames and Philip Seymour Hoffman, and the directing/producing team of Mike Tollin and Brian Robbins.

Director Kasi Lemmons received the Visionary Award for her work on such films as ``Eve's Bayou'' and ``The Caveman's Valentine.''

The cast of reality show ``Survivor 2'' was honored with 2001's Most Diverse Television Ensemble Cast.

Showtime Networks was recognized with the 2001 Diverse Network Programming award. The cable channel has developed original programs such as ``Resurrection Blvd.,'' a Latino family drama, and ``Soul Food,'' a movie-inspired drama centered on a group of African American sisters.