OLD HOLLYWOOD Olivia de Havilland Awarded France's Legion of Honour
Yesterday Hollywood legend--and one of my all-time favourites--Olivia de Havilland, 94, was made a Knight of the Legion of Honour at an investiture by French President Nicolas Sarkozy at the Elysee Palace in Paris.
"[Y]ou honour France for having chosen us," Sarkozy told de Havilland, who was born in Japan to British parents but has long made Paris her home.
He also acknowledged de Havilland's hand in changing the studio system when in the 1940s she fought against roles that she felt were beneath her talents as an actress.
"You are a rebel because you are the only one who dared file a suit against the studios to defend the liberty of actors," Sarkozy said. "You won. It's exceptional."
British born actress Jacqueline Bisset was also awarded the Legion of Honour at yesterday's ceremony.
source:imdb.com
