Samuel L. Jackson, Denzel Washington, et al. Receive NAACP Image Awards

The 42nd annual NAACP Image Awards were presented on Friday, March 4 at the Paley Center for Media in Beverly Hills and broadcast live on FOX. The awards recognize excellence in film, television, music and literature categories.

"For Colored Girls," adapted from Ntozake Shange's play, won for outstanding motion picture, director Tyler Perry, and supporting actress Kimberly Elise. Perry also won an award for his television comedy series, "Tyler Perry's House of Payne."

Among the acting winners were many theater veterans including Terrence Howard for "Law & Order: Los Angeles;" Samuel L. Jackson for "Mother and Child;" S. Epatha Merkerson for "Law & Order;" Sofia Vergara for "Modern Family;" Denzel Washington for "The Book of Eli;" and Vanessa Williams for "Desperate Housewives." Halle Berry, who is rumored to be making her Broadway debut next season in THE MOUNTAINTOP, won for the film, "Frankie & Alice."

Fantasia and Usher, also Broadway veterans, were among the music winners.

For a full list of nominees and winners, click here.

Photo Credit: Peter James Zielinski