Oscar-winning actor, producer and director Denzel Washington will be receiving the 2016 Cecil B. DeMille Award at Sunday night’s (Jan. 9) Golden Globe Awards, Variety reports. The honor is bestowed on members of the entertainment community who have made several outstanding contributions to the industry, and actors such as Sean Connery, Clint Eastwood and Morgan Freeman have been recipients of this award.
“Washington’s long and storied career is earmarked by his countless roles in front and behind the camera,” said the president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, Lorenzo Soria. “It is the HFPA’s privilege to honor his contributions to the entertainment industry with the Cecil B. DeMille Award.”
Washington, 61, has won two Academy Awards (Glory and Training Day) out of six nominations, and has won two Golden Globes (Glory and The Hurricane) out of seven nominations (excluding his new honor). Washington is known for not staying in one lane as an actor. He has acted in comedies such as Heart Condition with the late Bob Hoskins, thrillers such as Man On Fire and in movies with heavy subject matter, like Philadelphia, which dealt with homosexuality and AIDS epidemic. Not to mention- he won a Tony Award for his acting chops in the stage production of August Wilson’s “Fences.” He often expounds on the levels of his talents by taking on new roles through producing or directing. He directed the films Antwone Fisher (2002) and The Great Debaters (2007).
Other than his obvious talents, Washington is just a good person. He has worked with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, West Los Angeles Church of God in Christ, Fisher House Foundation, Children’s Fund of South Africa and donates to his alma mater, Fordham University.
Congrats to “Uncle Denzel” on this prestigious honor. We can’t wait to hear his speech this Sunday!