Clint Eastwood’s Career Honored at Venice Film Festival

Aug. 31 -- — He’s conquered the Wild West and outer space, and now Clint Eastwood reigns supreme at the world’s oldest film festival.

The screen legend is the chosen recipient of the Golden Lion Award for lifetime achievement at the Venice Film Festival, which continues through September 9.

The award adds to what is fast becoming one hot summer for the 70-year-old actor. His comedy Space Cowboys, has grossed more than $60 million, resting among the top five movies at the box office since its Aug. 4 debut.

He’s also been named as one of the five entertainers who will receive Kennedy Center Honors in December.

So, what’s next for the actor? Eastwood looked back at his 54-film career with a characteristically low-key comment as he prepared to accept the lifetime achievement award in Venice.

“Maybe it’s time to retire,” the two-time Oscar winner toldreporters who asked him to sum up his film legacy.

Eastwood: ‘King of the Jungle’ Actress Sharon Stone gave Eastwood a Golden Lion for hiscareer on Wednesday to mark the opening of the festival, followed by the European premiere of Eastwood’s“Space Cowboys” and a luxurious garden party for 1,000 guests.

“This award, the Golden Lion, goes to a man our industrythinks of as the King of the Jungle,” said Stone, resplendent in asequined leopard print dress, as she handed Eastwood thelion-shaped statuette at a packed ceremony.

Festival chief Alberto Barbera said he had chosen to honorEastwood because “He’s one of the last great icons of Hollywoodcinema — he’s a total filmmaker, not only a popular andsuccessful actor, well-known worldwide, but an original filmmaker who’s been quite underestimated.”

While Eastwood has traded in his cowboy gear andguns for golf clubs, his craggy mystique is being pored over bya new generation of fans, filmgoers and journalists.