Denzel Washington praises Samuel L. Jackson: “The uncle of my children”

Denzel Washington considers Samuel L. Jackson part of the family.

Washington, 69, was among the presenters at the Museum of Modern Art's 16th annual benefit film, sponsored by Chanel, where Jackson, 75, was honored. “Lord, forgive me, Samuel Jackson is a bad mother,” he said Gladiator II Star began his comments on stage.

Washington called Jackson a “great actor, a great friend,” and said, “More importantly, he's family to me.” He's the uncle of my children.” Zoe Jackson, the pulp Fiction The Oscar nominee shares Jackson with her wife LaTanya Richardson “like our daughter,” Washington added.

Washington also explained how he and Jackson became friends 45 years ago.

“He had a leading role in [an off-Broadway production of] Powerful gentlemen“, he remembered. “I was an understudy. So I watched him. They fired the man I taught as a sophomore after the premiere and I took over. I remember him giving me the confidence to do the work. He won’t know until tonight.”

The Oscar winner concluded his comments with a sweet message directly to Jackson: “Nothing but love for you bro, respect for you. I'm here for you. I'm glad I'm here for you. I look forward to seeing you and working with you. God bless you.”

Jackson and Washington starred together in Spike Lee's 1990 classic Mo' Better Bluesas well as in the New York theater.

This fall Jackson will be released in The piano lessonwhich Washington's son Malcolm directs in his feature film debut. The Washington-produced August Wilson adaptation, starring his other son John David, follows Jackson in a revival of the play on Broadway in 2022.

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Speaking exclusively to PEOPLE at the MoMA event, Washington said that it was Jackson's “body of work itself, the volume, the quality, the consistency” that he admired most.

When asked about his relationship with Washington, Jackson replied that he had known the actor and director's four children, whom Washington shares with his wife Pauletta, “before they were born.” We live close to each other. So they spend a lot of time at my house, spending time with my daughter and watching movies with me. We have been close for a very long time.

From appearing in The piano lessonJackson added: “I'm happy to be part of Malcolm's first film.”

Chanel partnered with MoMA on the event as part of its ongoing efforts to support and “share” storytellers. [the museum’s] “We will assemble our extensive film collection and preserve this important art form for future generations by restoring some of the industry’s most treasured works,” the design house said in a press release.

The piano lessonstarring Danielle Deadwyler, Ray Fisher, Michael Potts, Erykah Badu and Corey Hawkins, will be in theaters on November 8th and will be available on Netflix on November 22nd.