Adam Yauch

Beastie Boy Adam Yauch, who died of cancer earlier this year, will receive the Houston Film Critics Society's humanitarian award this year. Though best known for his music with the Beasties, Yauch ran a film production company and also shot music videos, documentaries and short films as Nathanial Hörnblowér. The HFCS is honoring Yauch for his activism on behalf of Tibet as well as the ASPCA.

"Adam Yauch was not just an important artist in the music and film worlds he was a devoted humanitarian who used his position and influence to bring attention to give a voice to causes which didn't have one," said HFCS president Joshua Starnes.

Previous recipients of the HFCS's humanitarian award include George Clooney, G.W. Bailey and Joanne Herring.

Just one sample of Yauch/Hörnblowér's work:

The organization also announced Robert Duvall as the recipient of its lifetime achievement award. The HFCS will hold its annual gala and awards show on Jan. 5 at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.