Freeman to be honored at UCLA

Following in the footsteps of such luminaries as Jimmy Stewart, Denzel Washington, Anthony Hopkins and, uh, Michael Douglas, Morgan Freeman has been named the recipient of UCLA's Spencer Tracy Award. Given out annually, the award recognizes "outstanding screen performances and professional achievement" and, in the case of Freeman, general studliness. In addition to being a wonderful actor (his performance in Seven is one of the most affecting I've ever seen), Freeman does frequent charity work, and has long been involved in improving the economy of his home state of Mississippi. Frankly, the dude deserves pretty much any award you've got - bring 'em on!

Scheduled to receive the award a ceremony at UCLA on March 7, Freeman is pretty stoked (not to mention classy) about the whole thing: "Spencer Tracy is known by many as one of the finest actors in film history...Receiving this award is truly an honor."