Stars like Meryl Streep, Morgan Freeman, Naomi Watts and Reese Witherspoon paid tribute to her. The coveted award from the American Film Institute (AFI) went to an actress or actor from Australia for the first time.
The AFI Life Achievement Award, presented since 1973, honors people whose work enriches American cinema. In addition to Streep and Freeman, previous honorees include Sean Connery, Michael Douglas, Jane Fonda, Dustin Hoffman, Steven Spielberg, Diane Keaton, George Clooney and Denzel Washington.
Kidman strolled with husband Keith Urban and their daughters Sunday Rose (15) and Faith Margaret (13) on the red carpet in front of the Dolby Theater, where the Oscars are traditionally presented. “Babygirl – I’m so proud of you,” wrote country star Urban on the platform X, formerly Twitter. The list of previous award winners would speak volumes. The singer also listed all 49 recipients, from John Ford in 1973 to Kidman, whose name he added with a red heart.
“Deeply moved by all the support worldwide,” Kidman wrote on Instagram. She thanked the American Film Institute for including her in this “illustrious group of honorees.” The organization praised Kidman as a “true screen icon” who embodies the glamor of old Hollywood but is also willing to take risks when choosing roles.
Kidman appeared in films such as Deadly Silence, Days of Thunder, To Die For, Eyes Wide Shut, Moulin Rouge, Dogville and Being the Ricardos. She won the Oscar for Best Actress in 2003 for “The Hours”. With a big nose, she was hardly recognizable in the vain role of the depressive writer Virginia Woolf.
