Denzel Washington Honored with Surprise Palme d'Or at Cannes

According to organizers, U.S. actor Denzel Washington received a surprise honorary Palme d'Or award at the Cannes Film Festival on Monday evening in recognition of his outstanding career.

Washington, 70, was in southern France for the premiere of U.S. director Spike Lee's latest film "Highest 2 Lowest," an adaptation of legendary Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa's "High and Low," which also celebrated its premiere on Monday.

Washington, who was joined on the red carpet by co-stars A$AP Rocky and Jeffrey Wright, plays David King in the crime thriller, which marks the fifth time he and Lee have worked together.

U.S. actor Denzel Washington receives the Honorary Palme d'Or next to Cannes Film Festival General Delegate Thierry Fremaux and president of the Cannes film festival Iris Knobloch ahead of the screening of the film "Highest 2 Lowest" at the 78th edition of the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, southern France, on May 19, 2025. VALERY HACHE/Pool via REUTERS

The two-time Oscar winner's movie roles have ranged from black activist Malcolm X to a drunk but heroic pilot in "Flight." His turn as a rogue detective in "Training Day" earned him his second Oscar in 2002, following his first win in 1990 for "Glory."

He also directed and starred in the 2007 film "The Great Debaters" about a professor who coached a debate team from a black U.S. college to national glory, and produced and starred in the drama "Antwone Fisher."

Robert De Niro received a Palme d'Or honorary award for lifetime achievement, announced in advance, at the festival's opening ceremony last week, where he used his acceptance speech to call for protests against U.S. President Donald Trump.

"Highest 2 Lowest" is set to hit theatres in the United States on August 22.