Bruce Cohen Honoured by Ariana DeBose and His Daughter at GLAAD Gala

Oscar-winning film producer Bruce Cohen received a particularly personal tribute at GLAAD’s New York Gala when Ariana DeBose and his daughter Ilaria Cohen Catone joined forces to present him with the Vito Russo Award.

The ceremony took place at Cipriani 25 Broadway on Friday 23 October 2026, bringing together performers, producers and LGBTQ+ advocates to recognise Cohen’s contribution to representation in entertainment.

Best known for producing films including American Beauty, Big Fish and Milk, Cohen was honoured for a career that has combined major Hollywood productions with support for LGBTQ+ storytelling.

Ariana DeBose and Ilaria Cohen Catone present the award

The presentation brought together two people with different connections to Cohen, with Oscar-winning actress Ariana DeBose sharing the moment alongside his daughter Ilaria.

Their involvement gave the ceremony a family dimension, distinguishing it from a conventional industry tribute.

The evening was hosted by television personality Ross Mathews and featured performances from Anika Noni Rose and Alex Newell.

Rose performed a tribute to Dolly Parton, while Newell delivered a number from the Broadway musical Shucked, adding further entertainment to the gala’s fundraising and recognition activities.

Among the guests were Frankie Grande, Margaret Cho, Peppermint and other familiar figures from television and LGBTQ+ entertainment.

Why was Bruce Cohen chosen for the Vito Russo Award?

Cohen’s producing career includes Milk, the acclaimed 2008 biographical drama about Harvey Milk, the pioneering openly gay politician who became a member of San Francisco’s Board of Supervisors.

Starring Sean Penn, the film followed Milk’s political activism during the 1970s, including his efforts to challenge discrimination and build support for LGBTQ+ equality.

The production received eight Academy Award nominations and won two Oscars, including Best Actor for Penn and Best Original Screenplay for Dustin Lance Black.

Cohen’s involvement helped bring a significant chapter of LGBTQ+ political history to mainstream cinema, introducing Milk’s life and activism to audiences around the world.

The producer’s wider career includes American Beauty, which won the Academy Award for Best Picture, and Silver Linings Playbook, another major awards contender.

Who was Vito Russo?

The award is named after Vito Russo, the writer, film historian and LGBTQ+ activist whose work challenged Hollywood’s portrayal of gay and lesbian characters.

Russo wrote The Celluloid Closet, an influential examination of homosexuality in cinema that explored how LGBTQ+ people had been represented, stereotyped or excluded from mainstream films.

He was also a prominent AIDS activist and a co-founder of GLAAD, helping establish an organisation dedicated to improving media coverage and representation.

The Vito Russo Award recognises openly LGBTQ+ media professionals whose work has contributed to greater acceptance and understanding.

Why the award is significant

Cohen’s recognition connects his work behind the camera with the history of LGBTQ+ people campaigning for fairer treatment on screen.

While actors often receive the greatest public attention, producers play an important role in deciding which projects receive backing and reach audiences.

The success of Milk remains a prominent example of a major Hollywood production placing an openly gay historical figure at the centre of its story.

By presenting Cohen with the Vito Russo Award, GLAAD recognised both his professional achievements and his contribution to making LGBTQ+ stories more visible in mainstream entertainment.

The presentation alongside his daughter and Ariana DeBose provided a personal moment during an evening dedicated to celebrating that work.