Robert De Niro accepted his Entertainment Icon Award on October 7, dedicating it to Robin Williams.
The actor was honoured at the Friars Club members society's annual gala in New York, and he took the chance to pay tribute to his late friend for his "love, humour and compassion".
He said: "Last year I was happy to speak at the gala honoring Don Rickles, happy because before I got the call, I couldn't remember if Don was still alive.
"As you approach the stage in life I like to call the Rickles phase, four things happen. You get older, you get shorter, you get Jewish, and then you become a Friar...
"If you know me, you know how much I like to laugh, and no one made me laugh like Robin. No one could fake that amount of love and humour and compassion. Robin my dear friend I dedicate this award to you."
A host of other stars paid their tributes to Robin at the event, including Meryl Streep, Sharon Stone, Christopher Walken and Martin Scorsese.
Joel McHale poked fun at the screen icon for his huge career, saying: "There was an awkward moment when he was handed a menu earlier and he signed on to star in it.", and Ricky Gervais sent a video message explaining how he'd gotten a call from Robin after he "p**ed everyone off" with his first Golden Globe 2010 hosting job.
He explained: "I p***ed everyone off in Hollywood and you were laughing all the way through.", but claimed De Niro told him: "You were great. They were jokes. F**k them. They were jokes."
When Ricky admitted he didn't know whether he would be asked to return, De Niro asked: "You want me to have a word?"
Rick then admitted: "I thought you meant you were gonna have 'em whacked. I said, 'No but thanks.'"
Larry King hosted Tuesday's event, which also saw Carlos Slim honoured as well as performances from Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder and Sting.
Tagged in Robert De Niro Robin Williams Ricky Gervais