Angelina Jolie's surprise tribute to Clint Eastwood

By April MacIntyre Oct 28, 2008, 15:56 GMT

Angelina Jolie made a surprise appearance at Monday night\'s Hollywood Film Festival Awards Gala, where she honored director Clint Eastwood, who worked with the mother of six on "The Changeling." © Janet Mayer / PR Photos

Just back from Afghanistan, actress Angelina Jolie made a surprise appearance at Monday night's Hollywood Film Festival Awards Gala, where she honored director Clint Eastwood, who worked with the mother of six on "The Changeling."

Jolie stars in Eastwood's film about a true story of a single mother searching for her kidnapped son in Depression-era Los Angeles after the wrong boy is returned to her.

Those in attendance were reportedly shocked at the unexpected appearance of the humanitarian new mother, not scheduled officially to be there.

"There are some people in this business that are icons, and we often wonder if, when we meet them, they'll live up to what we imagine them to be," she told the audience. "And Clint Eastwood in person is even better."

"Clint is what every great director should be," she continued. "He is a great leader. And I certainly would follow him anywhere."

Eastwood was quoted as saying that Jolie possessed the "most beautiful face" in the world.

At the award ceremony, Eastwood noted, "Working with someone like Angelina Jolie is a great privilege, because you get to look on that gorgeous beauty every day. And she's a great talent."