Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award is awarded periodically by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences at the Governors Awards ceremonies to " creative producers , whose bodies of work reflect a consistently high quality of motion picture production . " The award is named for Irving Thalberg , legendary head of the Production Division of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer , who developed the company 's reputation for sophisticated films . The trophy itself is a bust of Thalberg rather than the familiar " Oscar " statuette . However , it is still counted as an " honorary Oscar " . The award was established in 1937 and was first presented at the 10th Academy Awards , in March 1938 . There have been 39 statuettes awarded to date
10th Academy Awards
10th Academy Awards
Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award