ACTOR Jude Law said he was “speechless” after receiving a prestigious French award for his contribution to film.Law was named a knight in the Order of Arts and Letters by French Ambassador Gerard Errera at a ceremony in London yesterday.

The ceremony was attended by Law’s parents, Peter and Maggie, who divide their time between London and Saumur in western France, where they run a drama school, and director Anthony Minghella.

“Your immense success has not been handed to you on a plate. It has been the product of hard work,” Errera said, presenting Law with a medal.

“I am speechless,” the 34-year-old actor said. “My mum and dad have lived in France for 15 years so really it is a country I share as my home.”

Law’s films include Alfie, Cold Mountain and Minghella’s The Talented Mr. Ripley.

France presents Order of Arts and Letters awards to French nationals and foreigners deemed to have significantly contributed to the country’s cultural inheritance.