Firth honored in Italy

ROME, May 30 (UPI) -- British actor Colin Firth has won Italy's Commander of the Order of the Star of Italian Solidarity award for promoting Italy's image in Great Britain.

The title was created in 1947 to recognize those who rebuilt post-war Italy, the BBC reported Monday. Firth regularly organizes literary events with the Italian Cultural Institute in London.

The actor is also married to Italian producer Livia Giuggioli and is fluent in Italian.

"Italy has become a big part of my life now," Firth said. "I love it. It's a huge blessing. I sort of married a whole family and a whole country.

Firth has starred in hit films including historical romance "Girl With a Pearl Earring" and romantic comedy "Love, Actually." This month, he attended the Cannes film festival launch of his latest movie "Where the Truth Lies," in which he plays a bisexual 1950s entertainer.