US actor Richard Gere has received an award for his humanitarian work in recent years.

The Pretty Woman and Chicago star, who is now a Buddhist and campaigns on behalf of Tibet, received the Marian Anderson Award for his role as a global activist.

The 58-year-old is the chairman of the International Campaign for Tibet and co-founder of the Tibet House.

The actor has also established a foundation to help humanitarian organisations.

Accepting the £48,500 honour at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia, Gere said: ‘I am not worthy of this award in any way whatsoever.’