NEW YORK CITY: The Actors’ Equity Foundation has announced that this year’s Paul Robeson Citation Award will go to New York-based actor Arthur French. The award, established in honor of the late actor and Civil Rights activist Paul Robeson, is meant to recognize individuals and organizations that best exemplify the principles by which Robeson lived his life; namely, a dedication to freedom of expression and respect for human dignity regardless of race or nationality.

French, who has worked on and Off Broadway for more than 50 years, most recently appeared in Center Theatre Group‘s production of The Trip to Bountiful in  2013.  He is also the recipient of a 1997 Obie Award for Sustained Excellence and a Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Featured Actor, with which he was presented for his performance in Two Trains Running at the Signature Theater Company in 2006.

French will be presented with the Robeson Awarded on Friday, Oct. 16 at the Eastern Regional Membership Meeting of Actors’ Equity in Manhattan. Previous award winners include Maya Angelou, Joseph Papp, Sidney Poitier, and Baayork Lee.