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
Family affair: Malcolm Washington, Katia Washington, Olivia Washington and Denzel Washington
Samuel L. Jackson and LaTanya Richardson Jackson
Seat mates: Samuel L. Jackson and LaTanya Richardson Jackson
Spike Lee and Tonya Lewis Lee
Sweather weather: Spike Lee and Tonya Lewis Lee
Samuel L. Jackson and Roy Rajendra
Men in black: Samuel L. Jackson and MoMA’s Roy Rajendra
LL Cool J
Blue period: LL Cool J
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
Three to be: Kenny Leon, Samuel L. Jackson and Zoe Jackson
Denzel Washington
Handsy: Denzel Washington
Cleo Wade and Simon Kinberg
Date night: Cleo Wade and Simon Kinberg
Molly Ringwald and Jason Weinberg
Red lip: Molly Ringwald and manager Jason Weinberg
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
Triple play: Alexander Smalls, Spike Lee and Samuel L. Jackson
Danielle Deadwyler
White hot: Danielle Deadwyler
Ella Bleu Travolta
Well-suited: Ella Bleu Travolta
Ray Fisher
Turtle necked: Ray Fisher
Francesca Scorsese
In the bag: Francesca Scorsese
Iris Apatow and Sam Nivola
Family business: Iris Apatow and Sam Nivola
Amanda Seyfried
Black-on-black: Amanda Seyfried
Walter Goggins
Vest in show: Walton Goggins
Kenny Leon
Running man: Kenny Leon
Dianna Agron
Head and shoulders: Dianna Agron
TEMS
Performance space: TEMS