- In 2002, received Washington Film Critics Award for Best Director
- In 2002, received NAACP Image Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture
- In 2002, received NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture
- In 2002, received American Cinematheque Award
- In 2002, received NAACP Image Award for Best Picture
- In 2002, received NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture
- In 2001, received Academy Award for Best Actor
- In 2001, received Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Actor
- In 2001, received American Film Institute Award for Actor of the Year
- In 2001, received NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Motion Picture
- In 2001, received Boston Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actor
- In 2000, received Women in Film Norman Zarky Humanitarian Award
- In 2000, received Berlin Film Festival Silver Bear Award for Best Actor
- In 1999, received Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture (Drama)
- In 1999, received NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Motion Picture
- In 1997, received NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture
- In 1997, received NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Performance in a Youth or Children's Series or Special
- In 1997, received ShoWest Award for Actor of the Year
- In 1997, received NAACP Image Award for Entertainer of the Year
- In 1996, received NAACP Image Award for Entertainer of the Year
- In 1995, received NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture
- In 1995, received NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Performance in a Youth or Children's Series or Special
- In 1993, received Sundance Film Festival Piper-Heidsieck Tribute for Independent Vision
- In 1993, received MTV Movie Award for Best Male Performance
- In 1992, received Boston Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actor
- In 1992, received Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Actor
- In 1992, received NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture
- In 1992, received Berlin Film Festival Silver Bear for Best Actor
- In 1992, received New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actor
- In 1989, received Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor
- In 1989, received Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor
- In 1982, received OBIE Award for Distinguished Ensemble Performance
- In 1981, received Audelco Award
