Veteran actress Jane Fonda was shocked and "overwhelmed" to receive a special lifetime achievement award at the Cannes Film Festival Sunday night. The Academy Award-winning actress, famed for her roles in movies like Barbarella, Coming Home and 1971's Klute, was presented with the prestigious award at the French film event, by festival chief Gilles Jacob.

Accepting the prize in fluent French, the 69-year-old paid tribute to her late father Henry Fonda, saying: "I have the feeling my father is with me tonight. The whole Fonda family thanks you."

Only three other people have been honored with such an award: French directors Alain Resnaid and Gerard Oury, and French actress Jeanne Moreau.

Fonda was not the only actor celebrating last night - Russian Konstantin Lavronenko and South Korean actress Jeon Do-yeon were named Best Actor and Best Actress respectively.

Lavronenko was awarded for his role in The Banishment, while Do-yeon's role in Secret Sunshine sealed her win for the festival's top acting honors.

-Check out Jane Fonda's Filmography

(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)