One of the most popular American actors and most respected figures in modern cinema is being honoured next February.

Actor, Academy Award-winner and producer 79-year-old Morgan Freeman will receive AARP’s Movies for Grownups Career Achievement Award.

AARP is formerly the American Association for Retired Persons.

Like CARP, the Canadian advocacy group for Zoomers, AARP’s mission is to enhance the quality of life for all as they age.

In announcing the win, AARP says ”Morgan is a consummate artist and an actor whose unforgettable performances year are year disrupt the conventional wisdom about aging in Hollywood.”

Freeman, whose career spans over 50 years, says ”I started my movie career at 50 and some of the best years happened since then.  I get a lot of pats on the back – they’re all over the place – but this one’s more than fun, it’s priceless.”

Previous winners including Michael Douglas, Robert DeNiro, Robert Redford, Kevin Costner, Susan Sarandon and Sharon Stone.