Denzel Washington was set to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Joe Biden on Thursday but was absent because he tested positive for Covid-19.
Biden confirmed to those present that Washington would receive his honor at a later date, and added that he is “one of our greatest actors in American history.” A representative confirmed Washington’s positive status but added that he “feels fine” at the moment.
Other recipients of the Medal who were present at the ceremony included Simone Biles, Megan Rapinoe, Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and Khizr Khan. Posthumous medals went to Steve Jobs and John McCain.
Washington has two Academy Awards and won a Tony for one of his many acclaimed stage performances. He was also being honored for his work as the national spokesman for the Boys & Girls Club for the past 25 years. He has said the Boys Club in Mount Vernon was a big part of his childhood and provided “mentors who cared and gave me the confidence I need to set higher goals than I might have.”
When talking once about a scene from his Oscar-winning performance in Training Day, Washington said, “Acting is like music, you know, and you improvise, it’s like jazz. There’s no rhyme or reason to it, there’s not a plan, I just did it. It’s just rhtyhm to me.”
