The Name Is Spielberg K.B.E.

Tue., Jan. 30, 2001 11:45 AM PST by Joshua Grossberg

For a guy who has made a career out of filming other people's fairy tales, Steven Spielberg finally has one he can call all his own.

The man who has made such classics as E.T., Jurassic Park and Schindler's List was awarded one of the highest honors of the British Empire Monday, when he received an honorary knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II for his contributions to cinema and society over the past 25 years.

British Ambassador Sir Christopher Meyer placed a cross-shaped medallion around Spielberg's neck in a brief, but festive ceremony held in a candlelit ballroom at the British Embassy in Washington, D.C. Minus the pomp one might expect at such an event, the 53-year-old director accepted the award with wife Kate Capshaw and close family and friends in attendance.

"The award of an honorary knighthood to Steven Allan Spielberg is in recognition of his unique and outstanding contribution to international film, and in particular, his services to the entertainment industry of the United Kingdom," said Meyer.

Meyer praised the director for using British actors and crew and shooting movies like Saving Private Ryan and Raiders of the Lost Ark, among others, in Great Britain, strengthening the relationship between the two countries.

"Mr. Spielberg's career has had a global impact. But the impact in the United Kingdom stands out. [He] epitomizes the cultural partnership between our two countries," added Meyer. "I am privileged to present this historical award tonight on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen."

Smiling, Spielberg humbly admitted he didn't expect the honor, and joked that he thought it might be a ploy by someone to get him to read a film script. But he still said it was a dream come true.

"The truth is, I stand before you now and I'm a knight," said a glowing Spielberg. "This is the stuff that all our childhood fantasies come from. You know, courtliness, civility and honor."

Other guests at the ceremony included dignitaries from both countries, as well as Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton, Dianne Feinstein and Arlen Specter, as well as retired General Wesley Clark and actress Holly Hunter.

In his acceptance speech, a tuxedo-clad Spielberg paid tribute to such notable British directors as Alfred Hitchcock, Richard Attenborough and Carol Reed among those who have influenced him.

Established in 1917 to recognize service by civilians during World War I, the British order has more recently evolved to honor public service and contributions to society, especially work in the arts and entertainment.

Last year, Queen Elizabeth II handed out honorary titles to British-born legends like Sean Connery, Elizabeth Taylor, and Julie Andrews. Americans who have received the honorary knighthood in the past include Bob Hope, Secretary of State Colin Powell and former President George Bush.

Since the title is an honorary one and does not impart full knighthood (reserved only for British citizens), Spielberg will not be addressed as "Sir." However, he does have the option of adding a "KBE"--Knight of the British Empire--to his screen credits if he so desires.

"When he first got the news five or six weeks ago, he was both humbled and really thrilled about it," Spielberg spokesman Marvin Levy said. "This is one that will be very high on his list of treasured moments and honors."

The director, who is finishing up the sci-fi film A.I., begins work in March on his next project, another sci-fi thriller, Minority Report, starring Tom Cruise.

And if the knighthood wasn't enough, Spielberg will receive that greatest of Tinseltown accolades later this year when he gets his own star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame.