Rashida Jones Says Dad Quincy Jones Was 'Working on His Speech' for His Honorary Oscar Before He Died

Rashida Jones pays tribute to her late father Quincy Jones.

On Sunday, Nov. 17, the 48-year-old actress, while accepting the legendary music producer’s honorary lifetime achievement Oscar with her family at the 15th annual Governor’s Awards, said her father had prepared a speech and “intended” to be at the ceremony before his death on November 3.

“Our father passed away two weeks ago today. He was very excited to attend tonight and a lot of his family is here,” Rashida began as her siblings Martina, Quincy III and Kenya joined her on stage.

“And he’s got so many friends in this room, well, actually probably in every room… because everywhere he went, he connected with everybody, real… And he really, really, really meant to be here with us tonight. And I want you to know that he is here, very here.”

Rashida then revealed that her father had been “working on his speech” before his death as she began to share it with the audience “in his words”.

Martina, Rashida and Quincy III receive their father Quincy Jones’ honorary Oscar at the 15th Annual Governor’s Awards in LA on November 17.

ETIENNE LAURENT/AFP via Getty

Quincy Jones buried in a private family funeral in Los Angeles a week after his death

In his speech, Quincy said he was “honored” to receive his award and how “as a teenager growing up in Seattle, I would sit in the theater for hours and dream about composing for movies.” He then reflected on the milestones of his career working with artists such as Sydney Pollack, Richard Brooks and “my friend Steven Spielberg”.

“‘When I was a young film composer, you didn’t even see black faces working on a studio committee. I am so, so proud of the fact that my name and contributions can be included in that evolution,’ Rashida recited from her father’s speech. musicians I’ve made dear friends with over seven decades of doing this business and I know I wouldn’t trade this night or those experiences for anything in the world.’ And that’s where his speech ends,” she said.

Quincy Jones was honored at the 15th annual Governor’s Awards on November 17.

Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty

Rashida added that while “it was a difficult decision for our family to be here tonight,” they wanted to “celebrate his beautiful life and career.”

She then invited the audience to listen to her father’s music in memory of him on the way home.

“Hear how he poured love into every second of the music he created. That was his true legacy, my love. He loved life and often said: ‘Live every day as if it were your last and one day you will be right’. And you did, Dad. You did. You lived the biggest, best, most beautiful life of love every day you were here,” concluded Rashida.

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(Center right) Quincy Jones’ children Martin, Rashid, Quincy III and Kenya accept his award at the 15th annual Governor’s Awards on Nov. 17.

ETIENNE LAURENT/AFP via Getty

Rashida Jones pays tribute to her father Quincy Jones after his death at 91: ‘It’s an honor to be your daughter’

The Jones family’s arrival at the Governor’s Awards marks the family’s first public appearance since Quincy’s death at the age of 91 at his home in Los Angeles on November 3.

The legendary music producer died of pancreatic cancer, according to the death certificate obtained by PEOPLE.

A private funeral was held for Quincy attended by his seven children and close family and friends in Los Angeles a week after his death, the Associated Press reports. A second larger ceremony is planned, which will be attended by the public, according to the newspaper.

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Source: HIS Education