Morgan Freeman will receive a Career Achievement Award for Acting Jan.5 at the Palm Springs International Film Festival Black Tie Awards Gala, organizers announced Tuesday.

Freeman stars as Nelson Mandela in Clint Eastwood's upcoming film, “Invictus,” co-starring Matt Damon as the captain of a rugby team that Mandela hopes will unite black and white South African rugby fans.

Freeman won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Eastwood's “Million Dollar Baby,” and garnered three other Oscar nominations for “Street Smart” (1987), “Driving Miss Daisy” (1989) and “The Shawshank Redemption” (1994).

Festival Chairman Harold Matzner said Freeman is being recognized for “his many memorable performances throughout the years.

“He has an enormous body of work and he's been an outstanding performer for a lifetime,” said Matzner. “This role as Nelson Mandela may be his crowning achievement.”

The announcement was first reported Tuesday on mydesert.com Readers reacted by praising Freeman's work.

The awards gala, to be hosted by “Entertainment Tonight's” Mary Hart, will launch the 21st annual festival running through Jan. 18.

Anna Kendrick was previously announced as the recipient of the Rising Star Award, which she will accept at the festival gala.