Washington, Houston Win at BET Awards

June 20 -- LAS VEGAS (Variety) — Denzel Washington won the best actor award for Remember the Titans and Whitney Houston received a Lifetime Achievement award during the first Black Entertainment Television Awards, presented Tuesday evening during a live national telecast from the Paris Las Vegas hotel.

During the two-hour kudocast on the BET network, 15 awards recognized excellence in the areas of music, movies, and sports by African-American entertainers and athletes.

Steve Harvey and Cedric "The Entertainer" hosted the show.

Best actress honors went to Sanaa Lathan for Love + Basketball. Hip-hop duo Outkast was a double winner for male group and video, for "Ms. Jackson." Top female group was Destiny's Child, while rapper Nelly nabbed new artist. Male and female hip-hop awards were won by Jay-Z and Eve, respectively.

Fans clicked their picks online for the viewer's choice award, which went to Lil' Bow Wow for "What's My Name."

The producers hope to make the BET Awards an annual event.