Veteran French actor Jean-Paul Belmondo said he had done everything he wanted in life as he accepted the Venice film festival’s Golden Lion for lifetime achievement.

The charismatic 83-year-old star received a long standing ovation as he walked on stage, leaning on a cane, to receive the coveted award.

Belmondo said had not always known he wanted to be an actor.

As a young man, the Frenchman trained to become a professional boxer, but then got involved in theatre from where his acting career took off, lasting more than half a century.

The Venice film festival comes to an end tonight.

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