You gotta love the French. France’s Ministry of Culture has an award called an “Officer or Arts and Letters.” The French government gives this thing to deserving artists from around the world. This is where all those jokes about Jerry Lewis being big in Frances come from. He was made an officer years ago for his contributions to culture.
But he’s far from the only American to be honored in such a way. There are actors Mickey Rourke, Sylvester Stallone, and Jackie Chan. And back in 2003, the French government saw fit to give the same award to the godfather of punk, Iggy Pop.
He now holds the official title of Commander of Arts and Letters in France. Good for him.
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