Denzel Washington Presents Samuel L. Jackson With An Honorary Oscar

Though all eyes are on Will Smith and Denzel Washington at this year’s Academy Awards, another Black living legend earned an honorary Oscar in a moment that exuded Black boy delight on its own. Washington awarded Samuel L. Jackson, his respected colleague, and friend, with his first Academy Award of Merit. Now Jackson has another award to cherish.

At the 12th Governors Awards on March 25, Denzel Washington presented Samuel L. Jackson with a lifetime achievement award. Jackson admitted in an emotional acceptance speech that being chosen for the award was unexpected.

“I tried to entertain audiences the way Hollywood entertained me. Make them forget their lives for a few hours, be thrilled, awed or excited. When I got this call last year, it was unexpected, but I guarantee you, this thing is going to be cherished.”

Despite being one of the most renowned actors in film history, Jackson had yet to win an Oscar until last night. He has long claimed that he should have won for his role in Quentin Tarantino’s classic film, Pulp Fiction.

“Oscars don’t move the comma on your check,” he explained to the Times. He then ighlighted the significance of films selling tickets and how, “I’ve done a good job of doing that.”

Jackson has appeared in over 150 films, including True Romance, Jurassic Park, Hard Eight, Snakes on a Plane, and many others, in addition to Pulp Fiction. However, below is a video from the event.

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