Mark Hamill, Marlee Matlin, John Magaro, Joe Manganiello honored at San Diego International Film Festival

LA JOLLA – It was a star-studded night on October 16.

Mark Hamill (“The Life of Chuck”) received the prestigious Gregory Peck Award for Cinematic Excellence, while Academy Award winner Marlee Matlin (“Children of a Lesser God”) received the Visionary Impact Award at the San Diego International Film Festival.

The Virtuoso Award was presented to John Magaro (“The Agency”), a versatile actor known for his work across film, television, and stage.

Joe Manganiello, celebrated for his roles in “True Blood” and “Magic Mike,” received the Spotlight Award at the Night of the Stars Tribute, which took place at The Conrad in La Jolla.

“Between the amazing film lineup and the addition of our award honorees, our festival attendees are in for an incredible experience,” said Tonya Mantooth, chief executive officer and artistic director at the San Diego International Film Festival.

“Mark Hamill, Marlee Matlin, John Magaro, and Joe Manganiello all have films currently in theatrical release, or are about to be released, and have been showcased in major festivals that lead into the awards circuit.”

Hamill is a BAFTA and Emmy-winning actor whose face and voice have graced screens for over 40 years. He was most recently seen as The Major in Lionsgate’s Steven King adaptation “The Long Walk” and re-teamed with Mike Flanagan to star opposite Tom Hiddleston in Neon’s “The Life of Chuck,” which won the Audience Award at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival.

However, Hamill is best known for his portrayal of Luke Skywalker in the original “Star Wars” movies, and reprised his role in both the sequels as well as the second season of “The Mandalorian” and the television series, “The Book of Boba Fett.”

Matlin made history with her film debut in “Children of a Lesser God,” earning the Academy Award for Best Actress at age 21 — the youngest and one of only a few to win for a debut role.

She also received a Golden Globe for the performance. In 2022, she and her castmates from “CODA” won the SAG Award for Best Ensemble; the film went on to win Best Picture at the Academy Awards. Matlin has earned four Emmy nominations for standout television roles in “The West Wing,” “Seinfeld,” “The L Word,” and “Switched at Birth.”

Manganiello is an actor, director, producer, writer, and host with a BFA in acting from Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Drama. He rose to fame as Alcide on HBO’s “True Blood” and starred in major franchises including “Magic Mike,” Sam Raimi’s “Spider-Man,” “Rampage,” “Sabotage,” “Pee-Wee’s Big Holiday,” and as Deathstroke in “Justice League.”

Currently, Manganiello stars in the Emmy-nominated Netflix film “Nonnas,” alongside Vince Vaughn, based on the true story of an Italian restaurant run by grandmothers. He also joins Season 2 of Netflix’s “One Piece” as villain Crocodile.

Magaro has cultivated a rich and versatile career across film, television, and theatre. Most recently, he starred as jazz legend Keith Jarrett in “KÖLN 75,” which premiered at the 2025 Berlinale. He also led Cole Webley’s “Omaha,” which premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. On television, he appears in the espionage series “The Agency,” produced by George Clooney and starring Michael Fassbender.

Previous honorees at the festival have included Annette Bening, Laurence Fishburne, Adrien Brody, Regina Hall, Kenny Loggins, Andy Garcia, Geena Davis, Kate Beckinsale, and Sir Patrick Stewart, among many others.