Hollywood star Clint Eastwood has become a commander of the Legion of Honour.

Famous actor and director, who is now 79 years old, has been honored by the president of France Nicolas Sarkozy for his invaluable contribution to the world of cinema.

In reply to this fine gesture Eastwood expressed his love for France. The actor said that he had a strong feeling of adoration for cinema and loved that appreciation the French people had for movies.

Eastwood also made a promise to master his French in order to speak the language fluently the next time he would visit France.

He jokingly called Sarkozy “my president” having got from his hands the red-ribboned medal and was so proud of it that informed about his plans to go out in order to show off his award.

The French president referred to Eastwood as a myth and real legend, who served as a great example of the admiration the French feel for American culture.

Eastwood, who is in fact a legend of the American and the world cinema as well, became popular for starring in films like Dirty Harry.

He also got his fame as a director, though took up this new amplua not that long ago. Among his works are such famous films as Million Dollar Baby that brought him the best director Oscar.

His latest work, Invictus, is still to come out next month. This is a movie about Nelson Mandela and features such celebrities as Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon.

The Legion of Honour award that was founded in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte is to recognize contributions in the sphere of military, culture, science and social sphere to France even made by non-French citizens.

In 2007 Jacques Chirac, the previous president of France, made Eastwood a knight of the Legion of Honour.

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