The first Academy Award of the season went to James Earl Jones Saturday night, capping a tumultuous week that saw the abrupt departure and rapid replacement of the Oscar show producer and host.

The actor received an honorary Oscar for his long film career. Sir Ben Kingsley presented Jones with the award in London's Wyndham Theater, where he is starring in "Driving Miss Daisy" with Vanessa Redgrave. Jones called the experience "an actor's wet dream."

"I'm deeply honored, mighty grateful and just plain gobsmacked," the 80-year-old actor said.