AFI Life Achievement Award

AFI Life Achievement Award (1973- )

RunningAward Show show

The AFI Life Achievement Award was established by the Board of Directors of the American Film Institute on February 26, 1973 to honor a single individual for his or her lifetime contribution to enriching American culture through motion pictures and television. The Recipient is selected and honored at a ceremony annually, with the award presented by a master of ceremonies and recently, the prior year's recipient, who usually gives a brief synopsis of the awarded individual and career background including highlights and achievements. 

Networks
Scheduleevery Thursday at 22:00 (60 min)

Recent Episodes

EpisodeNameAirdate
2025-06-18A Tribute to Francis Ford CoppolaJun 18, 2025
2024-06-17A Tribute to Nicole KidmanJun 17, 2024
2022-06-09A Tribute to Julie AndrewsJun 9, 2022
2019-06-06A Tribute to Denzel WashingtonJun 6, 2019
2018-06-21A Tribute to George ClooneyJun 21, 2018
View all episodesView all seasons

Frequently Asked Questions  Warning: Spoilers

When was the AFI Life Achievement Award premiered?

The AFI Life Achievement Award premiered on June 21, 1973.

Who was receiving the award in the year 1973?

John Ford was receiving the award in the year 1973.

Who is the youngest person to receive the award?

Steven Spielberg is the youngest person to receive the award at the age of 45.

How many honorees have been awarded for their achievements in television?

Thirty-five honorees have been awarded for their achievements in television.

Who was the first woman to receive the award?

Bette Davis was the first woman to receive the award.

Who was the only honoree to refuse to receive the award?

George C. Scott was the only honoree to refuse to receive the award.

What was the genre of the first honoree?

John Ford, the first honoree, was a film director.

How many times has Sidney Poitier been honored with the award?

Sidney Poitier has been honored with the award twice.

Who is the most recent honoree to have received the award?

Denzel Washington is the most recent honoree to have received the award in 2019.

Who is the only non-American honoree of the AFI Life Achievement Award?

Satyajit Ray, an Indian filmmaker, is the only non-American honoree of the AFI Life Achievement Award.

Has the award ever been given posthumously?

No, the award has never been given posthumously.

How many people have been awarded the AFI Life Achievement Award?

48 people have been awarded the AFI Life Achievement Award.

Who was the first honoree to receive the award in the 21st century?

Harrison Ford was the first honoree to receive the award in the 21st century.

Cast

View all cast

Characters

View all characters

Also known as

  • American Film Institute Salute to... (United States)
  • AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to... (United States)

Recently Updated Shows

Recently updated shows that might be of your interest.
Foundation
Running

Foundation

When revolutionary Dr. Hari Seldon predicts the impending fall of the Empire, he and a band of loyal followers venture to the far reaches of the galaxy to establish The Foundation in an attempt to rebuild and preserve the future of civilization. Enraged by Hari's claims, the ruling Cleons – a long line of emperor clones – fear their grasp on the galaxy may be weakening as they're forced to reckon with the potential reality of losing their legacy forever.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Upcoming

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo will not be a sequel or continuation of the story from the books or the films into which they were adapted. It will instead take Salander and place her in today's world with a wholly new setting, new characters, and a new story.

And Just Like That...
Running

And Just Like That...

Picking up the story of Sex and the City, And Just Like That… follows Carrie Bradshaw, Charlotte York and Miranda Hobbes as they navigate the journey from the complicated reality of life and friendship in their 30s to the even more complicated reality of life and friendship in their 50s.

BMF
Running

BMF

Late 1980s. The journey of two brothers, Demetrius "Big Meech" Flenory and Terry "Southwest T" Flenory, having grown up with the street codes of Detroit. They gave birth to one of the most influential criminal families in the United States thanks to the drug trade.

The Rainmaker
Upcoming

The Rainmaker

Fresh out of law school, Rudy Baylor goes head-to-head with courtroom lion Leo Drummond as well as his law school girlfriend. Rudy, along with his boss and her disheveled paralegal, uncover two connected conspiracies surrounding the mysterious death of their client's son.

GenreDrama