The celebrated actor was honored on Thursday night at the 47th AFI Life Achievement Award presented by Audi.
The AFI Life Achievement gala isalways a star-studded evening, full of standout moments.
Here are the best moments from the 47th AFI Life Achievement Award Gala.
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Hes probably sitting on it, Roberts mused.
If there is such a thing as genius, than I assure you Mr. Washington is one.
Roberts went on to liken her time working with Washington onThe Pelican Briefto working with The Beatles.
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A dedication that she has taken up in her own life with her husband and children.
I would only add perhaps the greatest of any time.
Chadwick Boseman calls Denzel the G.O.A.T.
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Not just because of me, but my whole cast, that generation stands on your shoulders.
or greatest of all time.
Boseman also spoke for the crowd, describing Washingtons movies as an event that demand theatrical attendance.
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Im not quite sure when I decided to follow you.
I know Im not the only person here who feels this way.
We have, for as long as we can remember, bought our tickets with anticipation of the next.
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Fuqua painted an intense picture before arriving at a conclusion only Washington could render.
I remember filming the scene thats now become called the King Kong scene.
It was late and we were filming in a place called the Jungle, he recalled.
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Denzel goes into the scene and goes off.
And some came up to me and said Yo homie, this movies a hit.
Needless to say there was no take two.
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Lee began by reiterating Washingtons status as one of the greatest ever.
Were all here because we love Denzel.
Theres been several references tonight to the G.O.A.T.
Thats the rarefied air that Denzel Washington lives and breathes in.
Denzel, to me, represents our black manhood.
What you did inMalcolm X, thats never been done before, Lee declared.
I may be biased, but that is the greatest performance ever on celluloid.
But most particularly, he chose to pay tribute to God and his wife, Pauletta.
If nothing else, Im living proof of the power of God.
He then went on to praise his wife and her support and talents as a classically trained pianist.
The most important person in my life, [for] 40 years, he said.
I would not be alive without Pauletta Washington.
He shared a 30-year-old video of his father-in-law talking to the camera and preaching a message of love.
We should care for one another and we should help one another.
I blame no one; I look in the mirror.
The 47th AFI Life Achievement Award airs June 20 on TNT and will encore on TCM in September.
