Sean Penn has been awarded a honorary Cesar Award by the French Film Academy
The French film academy dubbed Penn a “legend in his lifetime” and the award will honour his career and for “choosing his films with sensitivity and commitment.”
Organisers cited his award-winning work, from his Cannes best actor winning role in the Nick Cassavetes She’s so Lovely to his Berlin Best Actor performance in Dead Man Walking, as well as his Oscar winning performances in Clint Eastwood’s Mystic River and Gus Van Sant’s Milk.
Penn’s work as a director was also acknowledge, including The Indian and the Oscar-nominated Into the Wild, as was his presidency over the Cannes Film Festival jury in 2008.
The French Academy said “He is one of the few actors to have won awards in the three biggest festivals in the world and won two Oscars and a Golden Globe, [he is a] legendary actor, committed personality, exceptional director, Sean Penn is an icon in American film."
The Cesar is the French equivalent of an Oscar and is being awarded to Penn at the Paris awards ceremony on February 20.
Penn returns to cinemas with The Gunman alongside Idris Elba on March 20.
THE GUNMAN OPENS ON MARCH 20