American screen icon Clint Eastwood was made a commander in France’s prestigious Legion of Honor on Friday. French President Nicolas Sarkozy presented the 79-year-old actor and director with the decoration, honoring his body of work, his longevity and his ability to delight audiences around the globe, according to the award citation.

Speaking in English, Eastwood thanked Sarkozy and the French people.

“This is a wonderful honor,” Eastwood said. “It is just a great pleasure for me. I really love France. I love movies, and I love the appreciation that the French people have for movies.”

Eastwood also promised to be fluent in French the next time he returned to the country, which he called his “second home.”

(CBS/AP)