George Clooney Receives Chaplin Award, Condemns Violence

George Clooney received Film at Lincoln Center's 51st Chaplin Award on Monday night at a gala in Alice Tully Hall, Manhattan, where he used his acceptance speech to condemn recent political violence and urge national unity.

The lifetime achievement honor recognizes Clooney's contributions to cinema as an actor, director, producer and philanthropist. Presenters including Stephen Colbert, Julianna Margulies, Sam Rockwell and John Turturro praised his career highlights, from his breakout role on the television series ER to films such as O Brother, Where Art Thou?, Syriana, Up in the Air and the Ocean's trilogy. Video tributes came from Matt Damon and Richard Kind, who also attended. The event featured highlight reels tailored to Clooney's television, film, directing and humanitarian work.

Clooney, emotional during his remarks, shifted from personal thanks to address current events. "I can't be here on a night like tonight and just ignore everything that's going on in the world and in our homes," he said. He referenced violence two nights earlier at the White House Correspondents Dinner in Washington, D.C., where a gunman attempted to storm the event, as well as an incident in...