Jennifer Hudson continued her `Dream' journey Friday at the Image Awards.
Forest Whitaker picked up the film actor trophy at the Image Awards.
Oscar winners Forest Whitaker and Jennifer Hudson kept their winning streaks alive Friday, while ''Grey's Anatomy'' star Isaiah Washington claimed an actor prize at the 38th annual NAACP Image Awards. ''Ugly Betty'' took top television honors.
Hudson, a former ''American Idol'' finalist, garnered a supporting actress award for her role in the musical ''Dreamgirls,'' the same category she won at the Academy Awards.
''There is nothing like being recognized and honored by your own,'' Hudson said.
Whitaker, who won the actor Oscar for ''The Last King of Scotland,'' earned the same prize at Friday's ceremony, which honor projects and individuals who promote diversity in the arts.
''Doing this role gave me so many blessings,'' said Whitaker, who plays a Ugandan dictator in the film. ''One was being able to go back to Africa and touch my roots.''
Washington, who has been sharply criticized for uttering a gay slur on the set of his hit show, scored best actor for a drama series.
''I'm humbled and honored to be recognized by the NAACP,'' said Washington, who announced earlier this year he would seek help after receiving a torrent of negative publicity for his comments.
''The first time I was up here I felt deserving of something,'' he added. ''This time I feel privileged.''
''The Pursuit of Happyness,'' starring Will Smith and his son, won picture honors. Keke Palmer nabbed actress for ''Akeelah and the Bee,'' and Djimon Hounsou took supporting actor for ''Blood Diamond.''
''This film means a lot to me for the simple reason that I'm from Africa,'' Hounsou said to loud applause.
Rapper LL Cool J hosted the awards.
''I won't ask you why the chicken crossed the road,'' Cool J joked, telling the crowd it was his first time as a host. ''I just ask that you bear with me. I'm going to try to carry this thing with dignity.''
Democratic presidential contender Barack Obama won a literary nonfiction Image Award for his book ''The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream.'' Obama, a U.S. senator from Illinois, did not attend the ceremony.
Vanessa Williams got the nod for supporting actress in a comedy for ''Ugly Betty,'' which also won for television comedy series.
The show is ''a story about family, about feeling like an outsider, and as African-Americans in this business know, often we feel like an outsider,'' Williams said.
America Ferrera, who plays Betty, said the show was successful because American viewers were anxious to see a show that represented the country's diverse communities.
''We knew the theme would connect with the American people, who wanted to see fresh faces they can connect with on television,'' Ferrera said.
Prince, who was awarded best male music artist, read a poem about protecting the environment.
''Fifty years from now, what will they say about us?'' Prince asked.
Chandra Wilson won best supporting actress in a drama series for ''Grey's Anatomy.'' She said she wished her deceased father could have been with her, as Friday would have been his birthday.
''His little daughter is real happy to be standing here,'' she said.
CNN's Soledad O'Brien was given the honorary President's Award for her work as a journalist. Honorary recognition also included Bill Cosby's induction into the NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame and the Chairman's Award to Bono.
TELEVISION CATEGORIES
Comedy Series: "Ugly Betty"
Director Of Comedy Series: Kenneth Whittingham, "The Office."
Actor In A Comedy Series: Tyler James Williams, "Everybody Hates Chris."
Actress In A Comedy Series: Tracee Ellis Ross, "Girlfriends."
Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series: Reggie Hayes, "Girlfriends"
Supporting Actress In A Comedy Series: Vanessa Williams, "Ugly Betty"
Writing In Comedy Series: Silvio Horta, "Ugly Betty."
Drama Series: "Grey's Anatomy"
Director Of Drama Series: Karen Gaviola, "The Whole Truth."
Actor In A Drama Series: Isaiah Washington. "Grey's Anatomy"
Actress In Drama Series: Kimberly Elise, "Close To Home."
Supporting Actor In A Drama Series: Omar Epps, "House."
Supporting Actress In A Drama Series: Chandra Wilson, "Grey's Anatomy"
Writing In Drama Series: Shonda Rhimes, "Grey's Anatomy," "It's The End Of The World."
TV Movie, Miniseries, Or Dramatic Special: "When The Levees Broke: A Requiem In Four Acts."
Actor In A TV Movie, Miniseries Or Dramatic Special: Kadeem Hardison, "Life Is Not A Fairytale: The Fantasia Barrino Story."
Actress In A TV Movie, Miniseries Or Dramatic Special: Sophie Okonedo, "Tsunami, The Aftermath."
Actor In A Daytime Drama Series: Kristoff St. John, "The Young And The Restless."
Actress In A Daytime Drama Series: Tracy Ross, "Passions."
News, Talk Or Information, Series Or Special: Tavis Smiley, "Katrina--One Year Later."
Reality: "American Idol."
Variety Series Or Special: "An Evening Of Stars: Tribute To Stevie Wonder."
Children's Program: "That's So Raven"
Performance, Children's Program: Raven Symone. "That's So Raven"
MOTION PICTURE
Motion Picture:"The Pursuit Of Happyness."
Actor In A Motion Picture: Forest Whitaker, "The Last King Of Scotland."
Actress In A Motion Picture: Keke Palmer, "Akeelah And The Bee."
Supporting Actor In A Motion Picture: Djimon Hounsou, "Blood Diamond."
Supporting Actress In A Motion Picture: Jennifer Hudson, "Dreamgirls."
Independent Or Foreign Film: "An Inconvenient Truth."
Director Of Motion Picture, Television Movie: Spike Lee, "The Inside Man."
Writing For Motion Picture, Television Movie: Doug Atchison, "Akeelah And The Bee."
LITERATURE
Literary Work, Fiction: "Baby Brother's Blues," Pearl Cleage.
Literary Work, Nonfiction: "The Audacity Of Hope: Thoughts On Reclaiming The American Dream," Barack Obama.
Debut Author: "Letters To A Young Brother," Hill Harper.
Biography, Autobiography: "The Pursuit Of Happyness," Christ Gardner.
Instructional: "Mama Made The Difference," T.D. Jakes.
Poetry: "Celebrations: Rituals Of Peace And Prayer," Maya Angelou.
Children: "Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People To Freedom," Carole Boston Weatherford.
Youth/Teens: "Letters To A Young Brother," Hill Harper.
MUSIC
New Artist: Corinne Bailey Rae.
Male Artist: Prince
Female Artist: Mary J. Blige.
Duo or Group: The Roots.
Jazz Artist: Glady Knight.
Gospel Artist, Traditional Or Contemporary: Kirk Franklin.
Music Video: Mary J. Blige, "Be Without You."
Song: "I Am Not My Hair," India.Arie.
Album: "Dreamgirls" (Soundtrack)
Contact the Variety newsroom at
news@variety.com