Samuel L. Jackson Honored by Denzel Washington at MoMA Film Benefit

Samuel L. Jackson was honored Thursday at the Museum of Modern’s 2024 Film Benefit in New York City.

“I’ve always believed that cinema has been and continues to be a powerful medium, transcends language, shifts societal paradigms and pushes us as audience and artist to see the world from the perspectives of others as we celebrate film tonight,” the actor said. “Let’s remember the power it has to change lives and inspire future generations that benefit from MoMA’s acquisition and preservation of films like the ones that ignited the dreams of a little Black kid sitting in a segregated Tennessee movie theater to be standing before you now. Let’s continue to tell the stories that matter, stories that move us and stories that unite us.”

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Presented in collaboration with Chanel, the gala featured tributes from Denzel Washington, Spike Lee, Walton Goggins, Kenny Leon, LaTanya Richardson Jackson and MoMA’s chief curator of film Rajendra Roy along with pre-recorded messages from Brie Larson and George Lucas.

The evening closed with a performance by Grammy winner TEMS, who was introduced by actress Danielle Deadwyler.

See the best photos from the night below.

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Malcolm Washington, Katia Washington, Olivia Washington and Denzel Washington

Malcolm Washington, Katia Washington, Olivia Washington and Denzel Washington
Malcolm Washington, Katia Washington, Olivia Washington and Denzel Washington

Family affair: Malcolm Washington, Katia Washington, Olivia Washington and Denzel Washington

Samuel L. Jackson and LaTanya Richardson Jackson

Samuel L. Jackson and LaTanya Richardson Jackson
Samuel L. Jackson and LaTanya Richardson Jackson

Seat mates: Samuel L. Jackson and LaTanya Richardson Jackson

Spike Lee and Tonya Lewis Lee

Spike Lee and Tonya Lewis Lee
Spike Lee and Tonya Lewis Lee

Sweather weather: Spike Lee and Tonya Lewis Lee

Samuel L. Jackson and Roy Rajendra

Samuel L. Jackson and Roy Rajendra
Samuel L. Jackson and Roy Rajendra

Men in black: Samuel L. Jackson and MoMA’s Roy Rajendra

LL Cool J

LL Cool J
LL Cool J

Blue period: LL Cool J

De’Ara Balenger, Natasha Lyonne, wearing CHANEL, Derek Blasberg and Meghann Fah

De’Ara Balenger, Natasha Lyonne, wearing CHANEL, Derek Blasberg and Meghann Fah
De’Ara Balenger, Natasha Lyonne, wearing CHANEL, Derek Blasberg and Meghann Fah

Group shot: De’Ara Balenger, Natasha Lyonne, Derek Blasberg and Meghann Fahy

Kenny Leon, Samuel L. Jackson and Zoe Jackson

Kenny Leon, Samuel L. Jackson and Zoe Jackson
Kenny Leon, Samuel L. Jackson and Zoe Jackson

Three to be: Kenny Leon, Samuel L. Jackson and Zoe Jackson

Denzel Washington

Denzel Washington
Denzel Washington

Handsy: Denzel Washington

Cleo Wade and Simon Kinberg

Cleo Wade and Simon Kinberg
Cleo Wade and Simon Kinberg

Date night: Cleo Wade and Simon Kinberg

Molly Ringwald and Jason Weinberg

Molly Ringwald and Jason Weinberg
Molly Ringwald and Jason Weinberg

Red lip: Molly Ringwald and manager Jason Weinberg

David Alan Grier, Sade Lythcott and Barbara Bush

David Alan Grier, Sade Lythcott and Barbara Bush
David Alan Grier, Sade Lythcott and Barbara Bush

Turning a leaf: David Alan Grier, Sade Lythcott and Barbara Bush

Alexander Smalls, Spoke Lee and Samuel L. Jackson

Alexander Smalls, Spoke Lee and Samuel L. Jackson
Alexander Smalls, Spoke Lee and Samuel L. Jackson

Triple play: Alexander Smalls, Spike Lee and Samuel L. Jackson

Danielle Deadwyler

Danielle Deadwyler
Danielle Deadwyler

White hot: Danielle Deadwyler

Ella Bleu Travolta

Ella Bleu Travolta
Ella Bleu Travolta

Well-suited: Ella Bleu Travolta

Ray Fisher

Ray Fisher
Ray Fisher

Turtle necked: Ray Fisher

Francesca Scorsese

Francesca Scorsese
Francesca Scorsese

In the bag: Francesca Scorsese

Iris Apatow and Sam Nivola

Iris Apatow and Sam Nivola
Iris Apatow and Sam Nivola

Family business: Iris Apatow and Sam Nivola

Amanda Seyfried

Amanda Seyfried
Amanda Seyfried

Black-on-black: Amanda Seyfried

Walter Goggins

Walter Goggins
Walter Goggins

Vest in show: Walton Goggins

Kenny Leon

Kenny Leon
Kenny Leon

Running man: Kenny Leon

Dianna Agron

Dianna Agron
Dianna Agron

Head and shoulders: Dianna Agron

TEMS

TEMS
TEMS

Performance space: TEMS