Los Angeles

Celebrated actor Denzel Washington and former CEO of tech giant Apple Steve Jobs are among the 17 recipients of this year's Presidential Medal of Freedom.

President Joe Biden announced the list of honourees on Friday. Presented annually, the medal recognises public figures who have made notable contributions to American society, culture, politics or world peace.

The awards are presented in a ceremony at the White House every July.

Washington is the only actor or entertainment figure recognised this year, although sports figures Simone Biles and Megan Rapinoe are also among the medal winners. Steve Jobs will receive the award posthumously.

Other honourees include religious figures Sister Simone Campbell and Father Alexander Karloutsos; political leaders Gabrielle Giffords and Alan Simpson; activists Fred Gray, Diane Nash and Raúl Yzaguirre; former University of Texas at Brownsville President Julieta Garcia; healthcare worker Sandra Lindsay; Constitution Literacy and National Unity Project founder Khizr Khan; and US military leader Wilma Vaught.John McCain and Richard Trumka will be honoured posthumously.

The Medal of Freedom recipients will be feted on July 7, three days after the US Independence Day.