Freeman to receive lifetime film honor

LOS ANGELES — The American Film Institute is honoring Morgan Freeman with its Life Achievement Award.

AFI says the 73-year-old Oscar winner will receive the award in June.

AFI chair Sir Howard Stringer calls Freeman "an American treasure" who brings a calm authority to his roles, "whether playing a prisoner, a president or God."

Freeman was nominated for an Academy Award and a Golden Globe for his portrayal of Nelson Mandela in 2009's "Invictus."

Freeman can next been seen in the thriller "Red."

He is the 39th recipient of the AFI Life Achievement Award. Others include Alfred Hitchcock, Bette Davis, Jack Nicholson, Steven Spielberg and Martin Scorsese.