Denzel Washington rightfully went off on the red carpet photographer for touching him without consent.

The two-time Academy Award winner attended the 2025 Cannes Film Festival in support of his upcoming crime-thriller ‘Highest 2 Lowest,’ along with director Spike Lee and co-star A$AP Rocky. But during the film’s Cannes premiere on Monday, May 19, a photographer got handsy with Washington, rudely tapping him to get his attention while he was chatting.

Washington approached the man, who laughed, while pointing in his face and demanding that he stop. “Stop, stop, never put your hands on me again,” Washington told the man, who just continued laughing. “I mean it. Stop, stop it.”

The rest of Washington’s time at Cannes went smoothly, with the actor even receiving the prestigious honorary Palme d’Or award while ‘Highest 2 Lowest’ was presented. 

"This is a total surprise for me, so I'm a little emotional, but from the bottom of my heart, I thank you all,” Washington told the audience. “It was a great opportunity to collaborate with my brother once again—brother from another mother, Spike.”

Washington reportedly flew back to New York after his time at Cannes to complete the final stretch of hit Broadway play ‘Othello.’