Eastwood, Hoffman Get French Toasts

How do you say the Man With No Name and Tootsie in French?

By Josh Grossberg Feb 26, 2009 5:32 PMTags
Clint Eastwood, Dustin HoffmanDominique Charriau/Getty Images, AP Photo/Jacques Brinon

Clint Eastwood and Dustin Hoffman are horning in on Jerry Lewis territory.

The Oscar-owning stars have become the latest Hollywood export to be feted in France, with the erstwhile Dirty Harry receiving a lifetime-achievement Palme d'Or, only the second ever given by organizers of the Cannes Film Festival, and Hoffman named an honorary commander in France's National Order of Arts and Letters and receiving a special César, aka the French Oscar.

Cannes organizers praised Eastwood for having "the talent of a grand master at the summit of his craft."

"I'm very flattered," said the 78-year-old Eastwood as he collected his plaque on Wednesday. "People were saying we're not even sure we like this guy as an actor, much less as a director."

Earlier today, Hoffman choked up as he received his medal from Culture Minister Christine Albanel along with a commendation for being one of the "greatest actors of our time."

"When you get to my age, you cry at the weather reports," quipped the 71-year-old Hoffman, who will collect his César later today.