Uploaded June 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
THE OUTSIDERS stars Ralph Macchio & C. Thomas Howell reunion with director Francis Ford Coppola: "You took a chance on a bunch of nobodies who became somebodies." Plus a surprise guest: librarian Jo Ellen Misakian.
The American Film Institute presented the 50th AFI Life Achievement Award to Francis Ford Coppola on Saturday, April 26, at a Gala Tribute at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, surrounded by icons in the entertainment community. The televised special, THE AFI LIFE ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: A TRIBUTE TO FRANCIS FORD COPPOLA, premiered on TNT on June 18, 2025.
The evening began with welcome remarks from Bob Gazzale, AFI President and CEO, and included tributes to Coppola’s illustrious career and his influence on filmmaking from Robert De Niro, Adam Driver, Harrison Ford, Morgan Freeman, Dustin Hoffman, Ron Howard, C. Thomas Howell, Diane Lane, Spike Lee, Ralph Macchio and Al Pacino, plus family members Gia Coppola and Roman Coppola and a performance by Josh Groban of “Brucia La Terra” from THE GODFATHER, CODA: THE DEATH OF MICHAEL CORLEONE. Also included in the show were video clips of an exclusive interview, conducted by his daughter, Oscar®-winning filmmaker Sofia Coppola.
In presenting the award, Steven Spielberg, recipient of the 23rd AFI Life Achievement Award said, “you have taken what came before and redefined the canon of American film” and George Lucas, recipient of the 33rd AFI Life Achievement Award, commented, “we hoped to beat the system, and we did. We had no rules. We wrote the rules with you holding the pen. Thank you for creating an era of filmmakers that loved the movies.” Coppola accepted the award to a standing ovation. In his acceptance speech, he said, “all the beautiful faces are welcoming me back because I am and will always be nothing more than one of you.”
Over $2.5 million raised at the AFI Life Achievement Award Gala will support educational programs at the American Film Institute, a nonprofit organization. To donate to AFI, visit AFI.com/support.
The AFI Life Achievement Award, established by the AFI Board of Trustees in 1973, is presented to a single honoree each year based on the following criteria as mandated through a resolution passed by the AFI Board of Trustees: “The recipient should be one whose talent has in a fundamental way advanced the film art; whose accomplishment has been acknowledged by scholars, critics, professional peers and the general public; and whose work has stood the test of time.”
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THE OUTSIDERS stars Ralph Macchio & C. Thomas Howell reunion with director Francis Ford Coppola: "You took a chance on a bunch of nobodies who became somebodies." Plus a surprise guest: librarian Jo Ellen Misakian.
The American Film Institute presented the 50th AFI Life Achievement Award to Francis Ford Coppola on Saturday, April 26, at a Gala Tribute at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, surrounded by icons in the entertainment community. The televised special, THE AFI LIFE ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: A TRIBUTE TO FRANCIS FORD COPPOLA, premiered on TNT on June 18, 2025.
The evening began with welcome remarks from Bob Gazzale, AFI President and CEO, and included tributes to Coppola’s illustrious career and his influence on filmmaking from Robert De Niro, Adam Driver, Harrison Ford, Morgan Freeman, Dustin Hoffman, Ron Howard, C. Thomas Howell, Diane Lane, Spike Lee, Ralph Macchio and Al Pacino, plus family members Gia Coppola and Roman Coppola and a performance by Josh Groban of “Brucia La Terra” from THE GODFATHER, CODA: THE DEATH OF MICHAEL CORLEONE. Also included in the show were video clips of an exclusive interview, conducted by his daughter, Oscar®-winning filmmaker Sofia Coppola.
In presenting the award, Steven Spielberg, recipient of the 23rd AFI Life Achievement Award said, “you have taken what came before and redefined the canon of American film” and George Lucas, recipient of the 33rd AFI Life Achievement Award, commented, “we hoped to beat the system, and we did. We had no rules. We wrote the rules with you holding the pen. Thank you for creating an era of filmmakers that loved the movies.” Coppola accepted the award to a standing ovation. In his acceptance speech, he said, “all the beautiful faces are welcoming me back because I am and will always be nothing more than one of you.”
Over $2.5 million raised at the AFI Life Achievement Award Gala will support educational programs at the American Film Institute, a nonprofit organization. To donate to AFI, visit AFI.com/support.
The AFI Life Achievement Award, established by the AFI Board of Trustees in 1973, is presented to a single honoree each year based on the following criteria as mandated through a resolution passed by the AFI Board of Trustees: “The recipient should be one whose talent has in a fundamental way advanced the film art; whose accomplishment has been acknowledged by scholars, critics, professional peers and the general public; and whose work has stood the test of time.”
►Subscribe to AFI on YouTube: bit.ly/SubscribeAFI
►Follow AFI:
instagram.com/AmericanFilmInstitute
tiktok.com/@americanfilminstitute
facebook.com/AmericanFilmInstitute
twitter.com/AmericanFilm
►Sign up for AFI Newsletters: afi.com/sign-up/?method=signups
#movies #afi #film #americanfilminstitute
