Cannes 2025: Denzel Washington presented surprise honourary Palme d'Or by Spike Lee
Festival director Thierry Frémaux introduced the award presentation, which caught Washington off guard. Lee, who has worked with Washington on five films, formally presented the honor. The audience responded with a standing ovation as Washington took the stage to accept the recognition.
'This is a total surprise for me, so I'm emotional,' Washington said during his remarks. 'It's a great opportunity to collaborate with my brother once again… From the bottom of my heart, I thank you all.'
The award marks a rare moment in the festival's history, as the honourary Palme d'Or has only been presented 22 times since its inception in 2002. While another honorary Palme was awarded earlier in the festival to Robert De Niro, that announcement had been made in advance. Washington's recognition was kept under wraps, making him only the second recipient in recent years to receive the award as a surprise, following Tom Cruise in 2022.
Washington's appearance at Cannes comes during a break from his Broadway run in Othello, in which he stars opposite Jake Gyllenhaal. Like most Broadway productions, the show is dark on Mondays, allowing him to attend the festival briefly.
Washington is a two-time Academy Award winner, earning Best Supporting Actor for Glory and Best Actor for Training Day. He also received an Oscar nomination for Best Picture for Fences, which he directed and starred in. His accolades include a Tony Award for Fences on stage and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Highest 2 Lowest marks Washington and Lee's first film collaboration in nearly two decades. Their previous work together includes Malcolm X, He Got Game, and Inside Man.
With this award, Washington joins an exclusive list of recipients that includes more names like Jane Fonda, Clint Eastwood, Jodie Foster, and Meryl Streep.
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