The first Douglas Watt Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Tommy Tune in 2008.Simonson, Robert. "Playbill.Com's Brief Encounter With Tommy Tune" Playbill, April 29, 2008 The awards were expanded to include dance in and choreography for film in 2008."Tommy Tune to Receive 2008 Fred & Adele Astaire Award" broadwayworld.com, February 15, 2008Stanley Donen received the Douglas Watt Lifetime Achievement Award in 2009."Minnelli, Rush & Cumming Announce 2009 Astaire Award Nominations 5/4" broadwayworld.com, April 30, 2009 Other Douglas Watt Lifetime Achievement Award recipients include Kenny Ortega in 2010, and Jacques D’Amboise in 2011. Liza Minnelli received the Douglas Watt Lifetime Achievement Award for 2012,"Liza Minnelli to Receive Douglas Watt Lifetime Achievement Award at 30th Annual Astaire Awards" broadway.com, April 1, 2012 Marge Champion was the Lifetime Achievement Award recipient in 2013,Martins, Tyler. "'Pippin,' 'Motown' Lead Astaire Award Winners" Backstage, June 4, 2013 and Patricia Birch received the award in 2014.Sheward, David. " After Midnight Dances Off with the Astaire Awards" newyork.com, June 3, 2014 Joel Grey received the 2015 Watt Lifetime Achievement Award, as well as film producer Harvey Weinstein (Outstanding Contribution to Musical Theatre & Film).Hetrick, Adam and Viagas, Robert. "A Pair of Ties at the Astaire Awards, Honoring Season's Best in Dance" Playbill, June 2, 2015 The Douglas Watt Lifetime Achievement Award for 2016 was given to Judith Jamison, and Maurice Hines was given a special recognition award for Outstanding Body of Work in Dance." Shuffle Along, She Loves Mes Jane Krakowski Top 2016 Astaire Awards; All the Winners!" broadwayworld.com, May 16, 2016
