Denzel Washington awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest honour, by President Biden for career and philanthropy

DENZEL Washington was among 19 people awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Joe Biden in one of his final official acts before leaving office.

The Medal of Freedom is the nation's highest civilian honour, presented to individuals who have made significant contributions to the United States' prosperity, values, security, or to world peace.

Upon presenting Washington with the honour, the announcer stated:

“Denzel Washington is considered one of the greatest actors of our time. Over four decades on screen and stage, his portrayals of iconic figures and everyday people have earned him wide acclaim that includes two Academy Awards, two Golden Globes, and a Tony Award so far. 

They added: “The admiration of audiences and peers is only exceeded by that of the countless young people he inspires. With unmatched dignity, extraordinary talent, and unflinching faith in God and family, Denzel Washington himself is a defining character of the American story.”

During the ceremony, Biden called the honourees “a group of truly extraordinary people who gave their sacred effort to shape the culture and the cause of America.” He added, “Let me just say to each of you: Thank you, thank you, thank you for all you’ve done. You all literally embodied the nation’s creed: E pluribus unum, ‘out of many, one.’”

In addition to his Oscar-winning acting career, Washington was recognised for his long-standing service as National Spokesman for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, where he worked for over 25 years.

Among the other recipients were civil rights activist Fannie Lou Hamer, who was honored for her role in transforming the struggle for racial justice in America. The White House highlighted that she “challenged the exclusion of Black voices in the political system and laid the groundwork for the 1965 Voting Rights Act.”

Other recipients included former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, NBA legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson, soccer star Lionel Messi, Bill Nye the Science Guy, Vogue editor Anna Wintour, philanthropist George Soros, fashion designer Ralph Lauren, chef José Andrés, and conservationist Jane Goodall.

Since its inception in 1963, the Presidential Medal of Freedom has been awarded 654 times, with previous recipients including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Maya Angelou, and Mother Teresa. This year’s honorees add to that legacy, each recognized for their contributions to American society and beyond.