Hong Kong acting legend Tony Leung Chiu-wai just became the first Chinese actor to be honored with the Golden Lion Lifetime Achievement Award at the 80th Venice Film Festival.

“I am so grateful to have been raised in Hong Kong, as well as being nurtured later by the Hong Kong movie industry in general, where my acting career began,” Leung said in his acceptance speech. “I also want to share this honor and give thanks to all those wonderful people who I have worked with over the past 41 years, because this is a tribute to them as well – and of course, to Hong Kong cinema.”

Tony previously starred in three Golden Lion-winning films: “A City of Sadness" (1989), "Cyclo" (1995) and "Lust, Caution" (2007). 

Watch as Tony is overcome with gratitude after the audience gives him a standing ovation when he is presented with his award.