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Jul 1, 2022

Denzel Washington Set to Receive Presidential Medal of Freedom

Denzel Washington can now tout a Presidential Medal of Freedom as one of his many incredible achievements.

Image Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Turner

President Joe Biden announced 17 honorees on Friday. The medals are presented annually, the medal of Freedom recognizes public figures who have made notable contributions to American society, culture, politics or world peace. The awards are presented in a ceremony at the White House every July. Denzel Washington is the only actor recognized this year, although sports figures Simone Biles and Megan Rapinoe are also among the medal winners for 2022.

Denzel Washington is one of the most celebrated actors, directors and producers of his generation. Over the course of his career, he has won two Oscars for the films “Glory” and “Malcolm X,” in addition to receiving eight other nominations (including this year, for “The Tragedy of Macbeth”). Other honors he has received include a Tony Award for his work in the 2010 revival of “Fences” and a Cecil B. DeMille Lifetime Achievement Award (an honorary Golden Globe Award) in 2016 for outstanding contributions to the world of entertainment. In 2020, Denzel Washington was named the greatest actor of the 21st century by The New York Times.