Denzel Washington has received the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his contributions to American and global society throughout his illustrious career.
On Saturday (Jan. 4), Washington was one of nineteen honorees who attended a ceremony hosted by President Joe Biden at the White House, with Biden personally presenting the actor with the prestigious medal, which is the nation’s highest civilian honor.
“Together, you leave an incredible mark – and I mean this sincerely, this group – you leave an incredible mark on our country,” Biden told the recipients during the ceremony.
WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 4: Actor Denzel Washington greets U.S. President Joe Biden after being awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in the East Room of the White House on January 4, 2025 in Washington, DC. President Biden is awarding 19 recipients with the nation’s highest civilian honor. President Biden is awarding 19 recipients with the nation’s highest civilian honor. (Photo by Tom Brenner/Getty Images)
In addition to Washington, this year’s recipients of the Medal of Freedom include NBA legend and entrepreneur Earvin “Magic” Johnson, musician and philanthropist Bono, former Senator and Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, actor Michael J. Fox, fashion icon Anna Wintour, billionaire George Soros, soccer star Lionel Messi, fashion designer Ralph Lauren, Bill Nye “The Science Guy,” Tim Gill, and more.
Given to “good people who have made extraordinary contributions to their country and the world,” the Presidential Medal of Freedom was first awarded in 1963, with past recipients including Jackie Robinson, Rosa Parks, Muhammad Ali, Barack Obama, Colin Powell, Thurgood Marshall, B.B. King, and Hank Aaron.
Actor Denzel Washington is awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by U.S. President Joe Biden in the East Room of the White House on January 4, 2025 in Washington, DC. President Biden is awarding 19 recipients with the nation’s highest civilian honor.
Tom Brenner/Getty Images
News of Washington receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom first surfaced in 2022, with Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles also listed as an honoree at the time.
Recently celebrating his 70th birthday, Washington continues to be a dominant and influential force in Hollywood and beyond, and has shown no signs of slowing down.
In 2024, the legendary thespian and director garnered rave reviews for his role in the epic Gladiator sequel, which has become the highest-grossing film of his career, as its surpassed over $320 million worldwide.
Watch Denzel Washington receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom below.
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