Christian actor Denzel Washington has just been awarded with the Golden Globe for lifetime achievement, making him just the third black actor to be recognised in over 60 years since the award ceremony first started.

Washington has joined the ranks of directors Steven Spielberg and Martin Scorsese as well as fellow actors Robert De Niro and George Clooney, who have all received the award in the past few years, according to Charisma News. The two black actors who won the same award previously were Sidney Poitier and Morgan Freeman.

The 61-year-old star received the Cecil B. DeMille Award at the Golden Globes on Sunday in honour of his work in front of and behind the camera. He was accompanied by his wife Pauletta and three children.

He was introduced by another legendary actor—"Bridge of Spies" star Tom Hanks, who also worked with Washington in the film "Philadelphia."

Hanks raved about Washington's commitment to improve the standards of acting, saying, "A single name can define an artist who is a peer and equal of all of greatest legends of our craft. If Washington doesn't ring out loud enough, then let the first name carry that weight — and that name is Denzel."

Washington is the son of a Pentecostal preacher who went to college in the hopes of becoming a journalist. However, he found out that acting was his true passion and he therefore switched careers.

As a devout Christian, Washington has served as the national spokesman for the Boys & Girls Club of America since 1993. Just last year, Washington vowed to be more outspoken about his faith and fulfill the vision a woman from his church had about him.

The woman said that he is "going to travel the world and speak to people," and now, Washington is taking it to heart.

"In this 40-year journey, I guess she was right. Through my work I have spoken to millions of people. In 2015, I said I'm no longer just going to speak through my work. I'm going to make a conscious effort to get up and speak about what God has done for me," he told The St. Louis American.