Robert Downey Jr has received his latest accolade from the Gene Siskel Film Center in Chicago.

Paying tribute to what they described as a remarkable career, the film center presented Downey with the Gene Sickle Film Center Renaissance Award.

The Golden Globe winning actor attended the event at the Ritz Cartlon Hotel in Chicago to accept the award. The center says it chose to honor Downey because he is "one of the most respected and versatile actors of his generation."

The New York born actor has fought an ongoing battle with drug and alcohol abuse. In recent years he has made a valiant comeback with lead roles in films such as “Tropic Thunder”, “Sherlock Holmes” and “Iron Man”.

In his latest role Downey plays a father to be in “Due Date” as he races home in time for the birth of his child.