France's film academy said Thursday it will confer a top honorary award on US actor George Clooney when it hands out its coveted Cesar awards, the nation's equivalent of the Oscars, on February 24.

The Academie des Arts et Techniques du Cinema said that Clooney was their chosen recipient of this year’s Honorary Cesar Award as they wanted to fete his "dazzling talent as an actor, director, scriptwriter and producer --- and above all, his artistic and spiritual generosity."

"The most charismatic actor of his generation, George Clooney embodies Hollywood glamour... His charm, humour, personality and engagement stand at the heart of our perpetual and eternal admiration."

The academy said Clooney’s name "will forever be inscribed in the pantheo