NBA legend Magic Johnson and acclaimed actor Denzel Washington are among the recipients who received the Presidential Medal of Freedom. President Joe Biden was on hand to bestow the honor at the awards ceremony at the White House on January 4.
Regarded as “the Nation’s highest civilian honor,” the distinguished award is given to “individuals who have made exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States, world peace, or other significant societal, public or private endeavors.”
“President Biden believes great leaders keep the faith, give everyone a fair shot, and put decency above all else,” the White House shared in a statement. “These 19 Americans are great leaders who have made America a better place. They are great leaders because they are good people who have made extraordinary contributions to their country and the world.”
Image: Tom Brenner/Getty Images.
Hailed as one of the greatest basketball players of all time, Johnson led the Los Angeles Lakers to five NBA championships. Throughout his career, Johnson won three NBA Most Valuable Player Awards, three NBA Finals MVPs, nine All-NBA First Team designations, twelve All-Star games selections, and won a Gold Medal in 1992 as a member of the “Dream Team.” He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002. He is a successful entrepreneur who co-owns the Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Sparks and Los Angeles Football Club. He also is an investor in the Washington Commanders and the Washington Spirit.
In the world of acting, Washington is a one-of-one. He has received two Academy Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, and a Tony Award. The Gladiator II star has also been nominated for two Emmy Awards and a Grammy Award. Washington was honored with the Cecil B. DeMille Award in 2016 and the AFI Life Achievement Award in 2019. In 2020, The New York Times named him the greatest actor of the 21st century. Some of his most beloved films include Glory, Mo’ Better Blues, Malcolm X, The Hurricane, Training Day, Flight, Fences and Roman J. Israel, Esq.
Other honorees included former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, Fannie Lou Hamer, George Soros, Bono, Michael J. Fox, Ralph Lauren, Lionel Messi, Vogue editor-in-chief of Anna Wintour, William Sanford Nye, Robert Francis Kennedy, Jane Goodall, David M. Rubenstein, José Andrés, Ashton Baldwin Carter, Tim Gill, George W. Romney and George Stevens, Jr.
