Morgan Freeman Roasts Denzel Washington | AFI 2019 | TNT

40 years ago, 1979, Denzel and I were in a Joseph Papp production of "Coriolanus." I was the protagonist. Denzel was stage props. Now, he's said publicly many times that during rehearsal he came to me with questions, suggestions on how we should play a sword fight scene that could be extended with some additional stabbings and wounds and... He said I looked at him, after asking his name, and I told him this: boy, we click the swords three times, I stab you, you fall and die. I'm going to tell you the right story. What I really said to Denzel was... you're this brilliant young actor who just came out of Fordham University.

That was a great suggestion. Joe Papp never thought about that. Hell, Shakespeare didn't think of that. Clearly, you know better than the two of them how this should be organized. What a good eye for action. I think you have a brilliant career ahead of you. And I hope one day to be able to work with you on a film. But until then, you'll be back where you belong. When you go out to the stage, we click on the swords three times. I stab you and you fall and die. Now, I'm too young to remember the first AFI Life Achievement Award back in 1973.

But I'm pretty sure about this. When they created this award, Denzel Hayes Washington Jr was waiting in the wings. Denzel, my dear friend, congratulations.