Having been presented with the Life Achievement Award at the 47th AFI gala tribute, the 'Training Day' star says in his speech, 'I'm humbled, I'm grateful, I'm thankful.'
- Jun 8, 2019
AceShowbiz - Denzel Washington paid a loving tribute to his wife Pauletta ahead of a star-studded gala on Thursday, June 07 night celebrating the actor's glittering career.
The "Training Day" star was the guest of honour at the 47th AFI Life Achievement Award gala tribute, and he walked the red carpet with his wife of 35 years.
The pair have one of Hollywood's longest-running unions, sharing four children; "BlacKkKlansman" actor John David Washington, 34, daughter Katia, 31, and 28-year-old twins Olivia and Malcolm.
And when asked what he considered to be his biggest lifetime achievement, the 64-year-old turned to his wife, who smiled and responded, "his four children".
But a smiling Denzel gushed: "(Actually) I was pointing to her. That's my biggest lifetime achievement".
Washington also shared his gratitude at receiving the coveted honour from the American Film Institute, and admitted he wasn't used to turning up to an event knowing he has already won.
"I'm humbled, I'm grateful, I'm thankful... I've never done this before so I can't really tell you how I feel," he confessed. "It doesn't feel like other times I'm on the red carpet. I'm usually promoting a film or at an award show. (Here) I've already won, I guess, so it's different. It's relaxed".
The gala included appearances and speeches from directors Spike Lee and Antoine Fuqua - who Denzel worked with on "Mo' Better Blues" and "Training Day", respectively. "Black Panther"'s Chadwick Boseman, Julia Roberts, Cicely Tyson, and Jodie Foster also appeared to pay tribute to the star, who will next be seen in Joel Coen's adaptation of "Macbeth (2020)".
