ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) - Award-winning actress Goldie Hawn has been named this year's George Eastman Award recipient. The longstanding tradition from the George Eastman Museum honors and recognizes the highest accomplished actors in the world of cinema. News 8's Natalie Kucko attended Hawn's news conference Tuesday and asked her some questions. Hawn says she grew up a dancer from a young age, and knew she was always destined to be a performer. The actress calls the George Eastman Award a 'different kind of honor.' "Without this, without George Eastman, we couldn't be making films the way we're doing it today," she said. In her mid 20s, Hawn accepted her first Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in the late 1960s film Cactus Flower. She would go on to star in hits like Private Benjamin, The First Wives Club, and Steven Spielberg's theatrical directing debut of The Sugarland Express. Over the years, Hawn has kept a sunny disposition both on-screen and off. "I think I've tried to stay with that promise to self for my life. It's sort of how to nurture your own happiness and I didn't want anyone to take it away from me. I felt it was something I was gifted with, and I feel it." Hawn went on to say, "I sort of keep my mind on my state of mind. I'm writing that one down for my next book." The actress says when it comes to accolades, this honor takes on a new meaning. "This is a different kind of honor. Really. It's in loving memory of someone that gave us so much to be able to express ourselves as humans, as artists. To be able to make people laugh, make people cry, be able to really emote and give the world some excuse to rest and be in a place of relaxation and entertainment. It's just a joy," Hawn said. Goldie Hawn formally accepts the George Eastman Award at a gala held at the George Eastman Museum Tuesday evening.