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Kate Hudson celebrated 25 years of her breakout role in Almost Famous alongside her family, including mother Goldie Hawn, dad Kurt Russell and brother Oliver Hudson at the 2025 Will Rogers Pioneer of the Year Dinner.
The event — which took place on Wednesday, October 8 — was held at The International Ballroom at The Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, CA, a significant venue being that it is also where the Golden Globes are held annually (and where Hudson won a Golden Globe for Almost Famous, which was released 25 years ago).
Speaking to PEOPLE in an exclusive interview ahead of the dinner, Hudson nodded to one of the film’s most iconic lines, which is uttered by her character, Penny: “It’s all happening.”
“It’s become like, it’s like I wear it on my forehead, you know what I mean?” Hudson said of the line “I could be anywhere in the world and someone will just yell it at me. Or they’ll say, ‘Miss Penny Lane, Miss Penny Lane.’ I can’t believe how many generations now.”
Hudson added: “It’s been 25 years … It’s surprising the life that it has, it just keeps renewing itself and kids just love it. It’s inspiring to them. So it’s all happening. It’s a never-ending tag for my life.”
Neal Preston/Dreamworks
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Almost Famous follows teenage music journalist William Miller (played by Patrick Fugit), whom Rolling Stone hires to profile a fictional rock band named Stillwater in 1973, without realizing he is only 15. As William ingratiates himself with the band, he develops a kinship with Hudson’s Penny Lane, a teenager who travels with rock groups as a self-identified “band-aid.”
The role earned Hudson an Oscar nomination and a Golden Globe win for Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture.
Hudson was was seen at the event smiling and chatting during dinner with her mom Hawn and “Pa” Russell (who has been in a relationship with Hawn, 79, since 1983) who were seated next to her.
Ike Barinholtz acted as emcee at the event, which celebrated Hudson’s career achievements and contributions to philanthropy. Almost Famous writer/director Cameron Crowe introduced Hudson and presented her with the award.
Hudson’s philanthropic work includes involvement in The Hawn Foundation’s MindUP program, where she serves on the Board of Directors, advocating and supporting fundraising efforts for preventative mental health programs that equip students, educators and families with mental fitness tools to build greater emotional literacy and improve resilience to face challenges with optimism, strength and compassion.
Her charitable and humanitarian affiliations also include the United Nations World Food Programme, Baby2Baby, Operation Smile, and numerous other organizations.
Named after philanthropist and entertainer Will Rogers, the Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers Foundation perpetuates his legacy through the works of three programs: Brave Beginnings, the Will Rogers Institute, and the Pioneers Assistance Fund.
The dinner raised $1.3 million for the Pioneers Assistance Fund, “which will allow us to provide more financial support and social services to working and retired members of the motion picture distribution and exhibition community during a time of increasing need,” said Kyle Davies, President, Distribution at Bleecker Street Media and Chairman, Pioneers Assistance Fund Committee.
The Pioneers Assistance Fund (PAF) helps individuals in motion picture distribution, exhibition, and vendors exclusive to either sector who are encountering an illness, injury, or life-changing event. Social workers provide confidential consultations and financial assistance on a short-term or long-term basis to help a person resume living with dignity, health, and purpose.
A tradition for more than 75 years, the Pioneer of the Year Award is bestowed upon members in the motion picture industry whose leadership, service to the community, and commitment to philanthropy are exceptional.
Past Pioneer of the Year honorees include Greta Gerwig, Erik Lomis, Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, Tom Cruise, Donna Langley, Cheryl Boone Isaacs, Elizabeth Banks, Jim Gianopulos, Dick Cook, Michael D. Eisner, Alan Horn, Jeffrey Katzenberg, Kathleen Kennedy, Sherry Lansing, Frank G. Mancuso, Sumner Redstone, Terry Semel, Tom Sherak, Jack Valenti, Jack Warner, Darryl F. Zanuck and Cecil B. DeMille.
