Episode list

Shortly before his death in 1973, John Ford was given the first ever Lifetime Achievement Award by the AFI while friends and co-workers shared reminiscences.

Actor James Cagney receives the Second Annual AFI Lifetime Achievement Award as co-workers pay tribute and clips from his films are shown.

The American Film Institute honours Orson Welles for his contributions to cinema. Hosted by Frank Sinatra.

In 1976, William Wyler became the fourth recipient of the American Film Institute's Lifetime Achievement Award, following John Ford, James Cagney and Orson Welles. The winner of three Best Director Academy Awards (and a record twelve nominations), Wyler has directed more Oscar-winning performances than any other director: Walter Brennan (twice), Bette Davis, Fay Bainter, Greer Garson, Teresa Wright, Fredric March, Harold Russell, Olivia de Havilland, Audrey Hepburn, Burl Ives, Charlton Heston, Hugh Griffith and Barbra Streisand. Among the film luminaries who pay tribute to Wyler are Audrey Hepburn, Gregory Peck, Myrna Loy, Henry Fonda, James Stewart, Barbra Streisand, Charlton Heston, Eddie Albert, Merle Oberon, Walter Pidgeon, Greer Garson and Harold Russell. Film clips include: "The Best Years of Our Lives," "Roman Holiday," "Ben-Hur," "Mrs. Miniver," "Funny Girl," "Wuthering Heights," and "The Heiress." Conspicously absent from the tribute is Bette Davis ("Jezebel," "The Letter," "The Little Foxes"), perhaps Wyler's greatest success.

Jane Fonda hosts the AFI Life Achievement Awards ceremony honoring Bette Davis featuring clips from her films and the reminiscences of many co-workers.

Henry Fonda is honored for his career in theater, television and film by friends, family, and co-workers.

On March 7, 1979, Alfred Hitchcock becomes the seventh recipient of the American Film Institute's Life Achievement Award.

The American Film Institute gives its eighth Lifetime Achievment Award to James (Jimmy) Stewart in a ceremony hosted by his long-time friend Henry Fonda.

A Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to dancer Fred Astaire by the AFI featuring highlights from his films and reminiscences from his co-workers.

The eleventh AFI Life Achievement award is given to John Huston.

A tribute to actress Lillian Gish, a pioneer in American cinema whose long and distinguished career began in the early silent era.

Legendary filmmaker Billy Wilder becomes the 14th recipient of The American Film Institute Life Achievement Award as clips from a number of his classic films are unreeled: "The Major and the Minor," "Double Indemnity," "The Lost Weekend," "Sunset Blvd.," "Ace in the Hole," "Stalag 17," "Sabrina," "Love in the Afternoon," "Some Like it Hot," "The Apartment," "Irma La Douce," "The Fortune Cookie," and "The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes." Host Jack Lemmon welcomes Walter Matthau, Ginger Rogers, Tony Curtis, Shirley MacLaine, Don Ameche, Charles Durning, Jessica Lange, Whoopi Goldberg, Fred MacMurray, Carol Burnett and Audrey Hepburn to kid and salute him. A loving tribute to the remarkable Mr. Wilder.

Jack Lemmon is honored by the AFI with a Life Achievement Award hosted by Julie Andrews featuring clips from his films and reminiscences from co-workers.

American Film Institute annual Life Time Achievement Award awarded to Sir David Lean becoming the first non- American to claim the award. Known for Oliver Twist, Brief Encounter, Great Expectations, A Bridge on the River Kwai, Doctor Zhivago, A Passage to India, Ryan's Daughter and arguably the greatest motion picture ever Lawrence of Arabia he is a defining filmmaker from the 20th century who's inspiration to others is clear in the speakers including Steven Spielberg and Martin Scorsese. Other guest speakers included Peter O'Toole, Omar Sharif and many other actors to have worked under the director.

Elizabeth Taylor becomes the twenty-first recipient of The American Film Institute's Life Achievement Award hosted by Carol Burnett and featuring appearances by Michael Caine, Angela Lansbury, Roddy McDowall, Michael York and George Stevens, Jr. Clips from her movies include "Lassie Come Home," "National Velvet," "Father of the Bride," "A Place in the Sun," "Giant," "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof," "Suddenly, Last Summer," "Butterfield 8," "Cleopatra," and "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?"

The American Film Institute fetes curmudgeonly actor and sometimes director Nicholson and screens clips of his best-known, best-loved works.

A biography of producer/director Steven Spielberg, showing clips from many of his films and interviews with actors and crew members he has worked with.

A testimonial presented by the American Film Institute to actor/director Clint Eastwood, including reminiscences by his friends, coworkers and co-stars.

The American Film Institute presents Martin Scorsese with their twenty-fifth Life Achievement Award. Director, producer, editor, writer, actor, historian, movie buff, film preservationist and champion of artists' rights, Martin Scorsese has left his mark on virtually every aspect of the motion picture. He is among the finest and most influential of American directors, past and present. Scorsese directed his first low-budget feature, "Who's That Knocking at My Door?" (1969), while attending NYU. This character study about freedom and guilt - Catholic and otherwise - led to assignments as an editor on "Woodstock" (1970) and as post-production supervisor on "Medicine Ball Caravan" (1971). Scorsese film clips on the program include "Mean Streets" (1973), "Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore" (1974), "Taxi Driver" (1976), "New York, New York" (1977), "Raging Bull" (1980), "The King of Comedy" (1983), "After Hours" (1985), "The Color of Money" (1986), "The Last Temptation of Christ" (1988), "GoodFellas" (1990), "Cape Fear" (1991), "The Age of Innocence" (1993) and "Casino" (1995). Those appearing on the program include Sharon Stone, Joe Pesci, Kris Kristofferson, Winona Ryder, James Woods, Kevin Pollak, Jodie Foster, Robert De Niro, Don Rickles, Gregory Peck, Paul Sorvino, Billy Bob Thornton, Clint Eastwood and George Stevens, Jr.

A taping of the American Film Institute's special honoring the achievements of film director Robert Wise.

A retrospective on the career and avhievements of Harrison Ford, whose credits include several Star Wars and Indiana Joes movies, featurung personal tributes from Carrie Fisher, Sharon Stone, George Lucas, Steven Spielberg and Chewbacca.

The American Film Institute (AFI) presents its 30th Life Achievement Award to Tom Hanks.

Peers honor the actress for her contributions to movies.

The American Film Institute awards George Lucas with their highest honor, the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Hollywood stars pay tribute to Jane Fonda at the 42nd Annual AFI Life Achievement Award ceremony.

For the first time The American Film Institute honors a composer, John Williams, with its highest honor. Steven Spielberg presents the award in a ceremony at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.

Actress Diane Keaton is honored with the 45th AFI Life Achievement Award in a ceremony at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.

2018's American Film Institute 46th Life Achievement Award recipient, George Clooney, is feted by celebrities and family at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.

Francis Ford Coppola was honored with the 50th AFI Life Achievement Award at a gala tribute on April 26, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.