Oscar winner Morgan Freeman will receive the American Film Institute's 39th Lifetime Achievement Award next June. "Morgan Freeman is an American treasure," Howard Stringer, chair of
the AFI board of Trustees, said. "Across
decades, whether playing a prisoner, a president or God, he
embodies a calm authority that demands respect for the character
and for the art form. His gifts to the cultural record are also
underscored by his unmistakable voice that echoes through the
hearts and minds of movie lovers around the world." Freeman is only the second African American actor to receive the award. Sidney Poitier was the first. The AFI began honoring the top filmmakers and actors with an award to the legendary director John Ford, who was so frail that when he attended the ceremony, he had the distinction of having his wheelchair guided on stage by President Richard Nixon. Since then, the AFI honor has ranked alongside the Oscar as the gold standard in terms of paying tribute to artists in the American film community. For more click here