Montreal: The lifetime achievement award at this year's Prix Jutra will go to Pierre Curzi, the veteran Quebec actor known for his appearances in over 50 movies and TV shows including the 1977 miniseries Duplessis and Roméo et Juliette, the Shakespearean adaptation that now lords over the Quebec box office.

"Curzi has made incredible contributions to the Quebec film community," said Henry Welsh, the deputy general of the annual awards, upon announcing the Jutra Homage prize on Jan. 11. "We are extremely pleased to be honoring him in this way."

A graduate of Montreal's National Theatre School's renowned acting program, Curzi has had constant work as an actor since the early '70s, noted for his keen ability both on screen and on stage. He is best known outside of Quebec for his portrayal of Pierre in the Oscar-nominated 1986 Denys Arcand film Le Déclin de l'empire américain (The Decline of the American Empire) and its sequel, the 2003 Oscar-winner Les Invasions barbares (The Barbarian Invasions).

Curzi will be presented with his award at the Jutra ceremony on Feb. 18 at the Place-des-arts complex in Montreal.