Hollywood star Denzel Washington received a surprise lifetime achievement award at the Cannes Film Festival.

The 70-year-old actor was at the festival for the first time for the premiere of his latest film with director Spike Lee, “Highest 2 Lowest,” AFP reports.

The two-time Oscar winner was presented with an honorary Palme d'Or by festival bosses Thierry Frémaux and Iris Knobloch ahead of the screening, at which VIP guests included A$AP Rocky and Rihanna.

Before presenting the award to Washington, Fremaux presented a montage of memorable performances by Washington, including in “Malcolm X” and “Mo' Better Blues,” both directed by Lee.

Also shown were clips from the films “Glory,” which earned him an Oscar for best supporting actor in 1989, and “Training Day,” for which he received a best actor award in 2002.

“This is my brother, right here,” said Spike Lee, who presented the award to Washington.

“It's a complete surprise to me,” Denzel said.

The cast of “Highest 2 Lowest” put on a show on the Cannes red carpet. Spike Lee wore an orange pinstriped suit, round glasses and an orange and blue hat, and A$AP Rocky showed off a gold dental piece.

While Cannes usually hands out honorary awards at special ceremonies, it's not uncommon for actors to receive them unexpectedly - as happened to Harrison Ford at the premiere of “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” in 2023 | BGNES