Denzel Washington furiously reacts after photographer appears to grab him on Cannes red carpet

Denzel Washington was spotted in a tense exchange with a photographer at the Cannes Film Festival.

The seasoned American actor is best known for his roles in Hollywood classics such as Malcolm X, Philadelphia, and Training Day, among many more.

Washington has a reputation as one of the biggest names in the film industry, and for not being particularly fond of paparazzi or the media.

You can't really blame him or other celebrities for feeling this way, given as so many of these A-Listers are hounded and blinded by flashing cameras the second they leave the house.

And Washington clearly believed one photographer was overstepping on the red carpet at Cannes yesterday (19 May).

Washington was not happy at the 78th Cannes Film Festival (Ernesto Ruscio/Getty Images)

Washington was filmed on the edge of the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival, confronting an overly eager photographer after he tapped him on the arm.

In the footage, which has since done the rounds on social media, the iconic actor can be seen angrily pointing his finger in the face of a media member, visibly shouting 'Stop it!' at him in a heated exchange of words.

He was at the festival for the Cannes premiere of his film, Highest 2 Lowest, alongside co-star A$AP Rocky, when the intense conversation took place.

After tapping him on the arm, the photographer could be seen smiling and laughing as Washington got up close and personal while wagging his finger in his face.

Following this spat, the media member then grabbed Washington's arm again, with the actor now sternly telling the photographer to 'stop it' as he flung his hand away before walking away in the viral video.

Despite that awkward exchange, the actor was in a good mood when the festival kicked off.

Washington was even honoured with an honourary Palme d'Or award by legendary director Spike Lee.

It is believed that Cannes moved its schedule around to welcome Washington to the festival, as the Gladiator II star made his way to the event on his one day off as he is currently performing in Othello in New York.

Lee said while handing the award over: "This is my brother, right here," with the actor adding that the award was a 'total surprise'.

The actor wasn't having it from the photographer (Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)

Despite the wholesome moment, those on social media shared what they thought of the mad exchange that Washington had on the red carpet, with one pointing out on TikTok: "For those that don’t know Denzel is known for not liking the paparazzi or press to touch him. That guy clearly kept tapping him."

Another added: "I'm confused why the guy is laughing him off!!"

"Why don’t people have boundaries?? Stop touching others without permission!!" a third wrote.