The American Film Institute Salute to Elizabeth Taylor

Elizabeth received the American Film Institute’s Life Achievement Award on March 11, 1993, which aired on ABC as The American Film Institute Salute to Elizabeth Taylor. She was only the fourth woman, after Bette Davis, Lillian Gish, and Barbara Stanwyck, to receive the honour since it was first bestowed in 1973. “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.”

Roddy McDowall, Dennis Hopper, Angela Lansbury, Michael York, Michael Caine, and Dr. Mathilde Krim were all on hand to pay tribute to Elizabeth. George Stevens Jr., son of the legendary George Stevens, who directed her in A Place in the Sun (1951), Giant (1956), and The Only Game in Town (1970), presented her with the Life Achievement Award.

“When I first heard about the award, I went into a state of shock,” Elizabeth told a room full of admirers, colleagues, friends, and family, including her children, as she delivered her acceptance speech. “I guess it’s a long time since I've thought of myself as an actress. I, along with the critics, have never taken myself very seriously—my craft, yes, but as an actress, no. But I wasn’t all that bad, was I? You’ve made me realize how much I really do miss it. But my life is full and good. It has taken so many diverse twists and turns, and I have grown into what I do…”