After 50 years of cursing up a storm and amusing people with his humor on and off-screen, 73-year-old actor Samuel L. Jackson received his first-ever Oscar award Friday at the 2022 Governor’s Award, which took place at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles. While it’s unclear why he’s just now receiving it, the meaningful exchange as two-time Academy Award actor Denzel Washington presented Samuel with the statue made it worthwhile.
Upon walking onto the stage to accept his award, the Snakes On a Plane actor and Denzel embraced each other, but the moment didn’t stop there. As Denzel stood on the sidelines for Samuel to begin his speech, he promptly stopped at the beginning of it to look back at his friend and go in for another hug.
Here’s Denzel giving Samuel L. Jackson an honorary Oscar! pic.twitter.com/lm6Dqrp2YX
— Kyle Buchanan (@kylebuchanan) March 26, 2022
During his introduction speech for the honorary award, The Equalizer actor recited Samuel’s achievements in the show biz, like “152 movie titles, $27 billion in [the] box office, more than any other actor.”
But what shocked the audience the most was Samuel’s charitable resume. From the American Institute for Stuttering to the United Negro Fund and the Urban League, Samuel has contributed to over 20 charitable organizations.
“That’s what he’s been doing. I don’t know what y’all been doing,” Denzel stated as the audience laughed.
Samuel acknowledged numerous people in his speech, including his wife of 42 years, LaTanya Jackson, and everyone who has bought a ticket to see his movies.
The Oscars received criticism from viewers on social media because Samuel’s award acceptance was filmed on Friday and not during Sunday’s live taping. Below are some Twitter users expressing their disappointment.
https://twitter.com/PierceFair89/status/1508501145463009284?s=20&t=LTXpQFRVU2uwh2qmLQ265Q
Are you trying to tell me that having Tony Hawk and Shawn White on the live telecast is going to attract more ratings than Denzel Washington presenting a lifetime achievement award to SAMUEL L. JACKSON?!?! @TheAcademy, you are so fucking dumb, it hurts. #Oscars
— Ben Deutsch (@BenLikesMovies) March 26, 2022
Samuel and Denzel’s friendship started when they both did A Soldier’s Play at the Negro Ensemble Company and have been friends for 40 years. The two have been in movies like Do the Right Thing (1989) and Mo’ Better Blues (1990).
