WEST WING star MARTIN SHEEN has been honoured for his role as a peace activist and for his humanitarian work.
The 67-year-old actor was awarded the Laetare Medal by the University of Notre Dame in Indiana - the prize is the school's top honour and is bestowed on a Catholic "whose genius has ennobled the arts and sciences, illustrated the ideals of the church, and enriched the heritage of humanity".
Sheen has long been known for his involvement with a variety of charitable organisations, as well as his continued support for campaign groups including People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and environmentalist group Earth First!
And the star insists his charity work is more important to him than his career.
He says, "While acting is what I do for a living, activism is what I do to stay alive."
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