Actor Morgan Freeman has been named as the 54th recipient of the SAG Life Achievement Award.

“I am thrilled to announce Morgan Freeman as this year’s recipient of the SAG Life Achievement Award. Some actors spend their entire careers waiting for the perfect role. Morgan showed us that true perfection is what a performer brings to the part,” said SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris. “He is innovative, fearless and completely unbound by expectations. As a chauffeur, convicted murderer, boxing gym attendant, pimp or president, Morgan fully realized every character baring their souls and showcasing their humanity. It has been a privilege to see his genius at work.”

The award is nominated and voted on by members of the SAG-AFTRA National Honors and Tributes Committee and is given to actors for “outstanding achievement in fostering the best ideals of the acting profession.”  Recipients must be “a well- established performer who has contributed to improving the image of the acting profession and has a history of active involvement in humanitarian and public service endeavors.”

Freeman won a drama competition when he was 12 years old.  He started out in theater before venturing into film and television.  His films have earned $4.5 billion in ticket sales.

The award for Freeman will join a list of other awards that include a Screen Actors Guild Award, an Academy Award, HFPA’s Cecil B. DeMille Award, an AFI Lifetime Achievement Award, seven Image Awards, a Silver Berlin Bear, several Obies, a Kennedy Center Honor, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

The 24th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards will be air live on TNT and TBS on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2018 at 8 PM ET/7 PM CT.