PARIS, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- French President Nicolas Sarkozy was set to make Clint Eastwood's day on Friday by naming the American actor and director commander of the French Legion of Honor.

    As grand master of the order, Sarkozy praised Eastwood's contributions as an actor and director to film history in a statement released by the president's office.

    "The decoration is an evidence to recognize the legend of a great and precious friend of France and the French people," the statement said.

    Eastwood has been spending time in London recently shooting his next film "Hereafter" with Matt Damon and Belgian actress Cecile de France, after wrapping production for the film in Paris just weeks ago.

    Eastwood, 79, has won Academy Awards for Best Director for the films Unforgiven (1992) and Million Dollar Baby (2004), besides five Golden Globe Awards for his other works.

    Established by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802, the Legion of Honor is among France's most prestigious awards and the highest civilian honor in the country.