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 lead. Denzel was a stage prop.

[LAUGHTER] Now, he has publicly said many times that during rehearsal he came to me with questions, suggestions about how we should play a sword fight scene that could be extended with some extra stabbing and wounding and [MUTED]. He said that I looked at him, after asking his name, and I told him this-- kid, we click swords three times, I stab you, you fall down and die. [LAUGHTER] I'm going to tell you the correct story.

What I actually said to Denzel was-- you're that brilliant young actor just out of Fordham University. [LAUGHTER] That was a great suggestion. [LAUGHTER] Joe Papp never thought of it.

Hell, Shakespeare didn't think of that one. Clearly, you know better than the two of them how this thing should be staged. What a fine eye for action-- I think you have a bright career ahead of you.

And I hope one day to perhaps work with you in a film. But until then, you get back where you belong. When you come out on stage, we click swords three times.

I stab you, and you fall down and die. [APPLAUSE] Now, I'm much too young to remember the very first AFI Life Achievement Award back in 1973. But I'm pretty sure of this.

When they created this award, Denzel Hayes Washington Jr was waiting in the wings. Denzel, my dear friend, congratulations.