Morgan Freeman Honored at Star-Studded Tribute

By Christine Fenno Posted Jun 11th 2011 02:19PM

Clint Eastwood, Matthew McConaughey, Casey Affleck, Helen Mirren, Sidney Poitier, Matthew Broderick, Cuba Gooding Jr., Tim Robbins, Betty White and Samuel L. Jackson were among the stars who gathered Thursday in Hollywood for dazzling a tribute to Morgan Freeman.

As guest of honor at the black-tie dinner, catered by Wolfgang Puck, the 74-year-old actor was given a Life Achievement Award from the American Film Institute. And according to the Hollywood Reporter, his famous friends were thrilled to be invited to the party.

"He is the most effortless person to be around and to act," Eastwood told the audience, as he introduced Freeman and presented the award.

"It was an honor being locked up with you, Morgan," said Tim Robbins, who starred opposite Freeman in the beloved 1994 jailbreak drama 'The Shawshank Redemption.'

Betty White took the stage for a song-and-dance number ('Hello, Morgan,' sung to the tune of 'Hello, Dolly') that reportedly brought down the house. And Garth Brooks led a gospel chorus in a moving performance of 'Lean on Me,' the title of Freeman's uplifting 1989 drama.

Freeman's 'RED' costar, Helen Mirren took to mic to say, "In movie after movie, this AARP member has proven without a shadow of a doubt that he can kick some serious ass."

The show included taped messages of love from Renee Zellweger, Chris Rock and Steven Spielberg, among others.

Taking the stage, Freeman beamed and told his A-List admirers, "This is easy to take but hard to believe. Where I come from in Mississippi, they call this walking in high cotton....For me, heaven has always been about acting in the movies. I'm proud to be an actor, although for this one night, you've made me feel like a star."

The AFI Tribute to Morgan Freeman will be televised June 19 (8 p.m., ET) on TV Land.

Tags: clint eastwood, Morgan Freeman

Comments

(21)

Saturday 11 June

By joe

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I always thought he was the perfect actor to portray
the police psychitrst,in those those serial killer movies.I can't think of anyone who could have been better for the role,excellant casting.

By joan

Agreed. He deserves the tribute as he is a fine actor in all he does on film. Cannot wait to see the tribute when televised.

By bounce59

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You was the Man but sleeping with your grand kid to much for me.

By me

I can't believe that no one seems to remember or care that as a 60 something year old man he slept with his teenage (step)granddaughter. Beyond nasty.

By Janeyre

That was my thought, as well. Lost all respect and such for him. Sleeping with the granddaughter of your former wife. Too immoral and nasty...

Sunday 12 June

By Geo

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Agree, can't get past it. He's a strange man.

By becky

Huh?

By the_fool

Congratulations Morgan you deserve to be honored.

By Gene H.

Congrats to you Morgan, you show talent and poise in all your films and i've seen many of them too....Maybe some that people even forgot....I mostly enjoyed your portrayol of a chauffuer in the movie "Driving Miss Daisey" and "Lean on Me"...Totally different roles but A-1 acting....Keep it going and never stop...

By Ann

Used to like him but sleeping with your step-granddaughter is just creepy and pathetic. He is a pig.

By Steve Westfall

Morgan, My wife and I have nothing but respect and admiration for everything that we have seen you do, acting and vocal. We don't know the details of what these people are bringing up and don't want to know. Wish that we could have visited your place in Mississippi. We saw the Rachael Ray show there. Congradulations!

By hello kitty

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He's the male Oprah. Full of himself too. If a real crackhead played a crackhead there's just no substitute.

By gloria

This man is a pediphile, he was sleeping with his step granddaughter for years and was planning to marry her. Because of her age he had to be molesting her when she was very young. He is an actor who has played many parts and thinks of himself as a god. I don't watch any of his works anymore he makes me sick.

By hovecmail

I admire his work, and clicked on the headline with a delighted sense of "it's about time." The article did not disappoint. Since I'd never seen or heard the accusation before, and I do listen to and read the news daily, I continue to hold him and his work in as high regard as I ever did.

By annelouise

seems that his bitter ex wife has hit this board and is trashing him about something that he fully acknowledges. The girl was not his blood relative and she was of age and very consenting. Get over it. Its obvious to all who the real loser is.

You?

By weegee2527

His acting COOL. Sleeping with step granddaughter; way UNCOOL.

By YellowRose3218

annelouise, so you think its alright, as long as Mogan admits it?
Thats one of the most ignorant things, I have ever heard.
Taking up for a pedifile is not wise for anyone to do.
And calling others names, because they dont agree with you?
Anne your not very bright.

By Karen

I think Morgan is a fantastic actor. They should have started the Alex Cross movie franchise sooner and kept going with it....he's the perfect Alex Cross

By Darby&Allen

PEOPLE,

Give him a break,life is hard,I supppose you are all perfect humans!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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