Arnie wins at World Stunt Awards

Arnold Schwarzenegger arriving at awards

Arnold Schwarzenegger has won a special prize at the first-ever World Stunt Awards.

The awards were presented on Sunday at the Santa Monica Barker Hangar in los Angeles.

Arnold Schwarzenegger's award was for best action movie star, while Mission: Impossible 2 director John Woo was named best action director.

Winners for outstanding performances in 11 film categories, including best speciality stunt and best fight, also were announced.

The World Stunt Academy chose the winners from films released in 2000.

Star studded

Celebrities presenting awards on the night included

James Cameron gives Arnold Schwarzenegger his honorary award

Burt Reynolds, James Cameron, Denise Richards and Sandra Bullock.

Gladiator won two awards: for best fight, and best work with animals, for the fight involving chained tigers. Mission: Impossible 2 and Charlie's Angels also won two awards each.

Brian Smrz and Billy Burton won two awards for best stunt co-ordinator for Mission: Impossible 2, a film with set pieces including a motorbike chase and a breathtaking rock climbing sequence.

Godfather

Veteran Hal Needham won a lifetime achievement award.

As a stuntman, Needham reigned supreme at riding, truck, car, motorcycle and boat stunts, fights and fires.

His first role was in 1959 Western TV series Black Saddle. Nearly 20 years later, he bowed out with stunts for Goldie Hawn's film, Foul Play.

Burt Reynolds at the awards

Needham turned to directing, and forged a prolific career with Burt Reynolds, making films such as Smokey and the Bandit, Hooper, and The Cannonball Run.

He is credited with kick-starting the Hollywood careers of Jackie Chan (Cannonball Run) and Arnold Schwarzenegger (The Villain).