Emmy Award-winning actress Melissa McCarthy will receive this year's Distinguished Artisan Award at the 6th Annual Make-Up Artists & Hair Stylists Guild Awards.

McCarthy is the first female artist to receive this award. The black-tie awards gala, honoring both make-up artists and hair stylists outstanding achievements in motion pictures, television, commercials and live theater, returns to the NOVO in L.A. Live on Saturday, February 16, 2019. 

The announcement was made today by Sue Cabral-Ebert, president of IATSE Local 706.

Cabral-Ebert said, "It is with respect and joy that we are able to honor Melissa McCarthy, a true friend to our crafts of make-up artistry and hair styling. Melissa collaborates with our creative artisans in every character she develops – whether it's the SNL parody of Sean Spicer or the true-to-life author Lee Israel. We want to let Melissa know how greatly she is appreciated, she is so deserving of this award. This is also a historic moment as Melissa is the first woman to ever receive this honor from our guild."

The Make-Up Artists & Hair Stylists Guild's Distinguished Artisan Award is given annually to those whose body of work in the film and television industry was richly enhanced by the consistent collaboration of make-up and hair styling artistry creating memorable characters throughout their career. Previous recipients include Gary Oldman, Johnny Depp, Ryan Murphy and Guillermo del Toro.

As previously announced, Sue Cabral-Ebert, outgoing Local 706 President and Emmy-nominated make-up artist, and Robert Louis Stevenson, legendary Emmy-winning hair stylist, will receive Lifetime Achievement Awards.

Nominations for this year's awards will be announced on Thursday, January 10, 2019. Final ballot on-line voting closes on Friday, February 8, 2019. Winners will be announced on Saturday, February 16, 2019 at the Awards gala.