The Hollywood hunk took to the stage at the opening ceremony of the annual event to collect the Coppa Volpi for the best actor award for his role in The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford.

Pitt was awarded the honor last year (07), but was unable to accept the prize until this year's 2008 ceremony.

And, as the star belatedly accepted the award, he joked with the cheering audience, ""You can run but you can't hide.""

The actor is attending the 65th Venice International Film Festival to promote his latest film, Burn After Reading, which co-stars his pal George Clooney.

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