The actor told an audience at the Deauville film festival in France his entire career had stemmed from one decision.

As a young man in Wisconsin he had flipped a coin to decide whether to try his luck in Los Angeles or New York.

Ford was accompanied by Calista Flockhart

"It came up New York, so I made it two out of three," Ford said, asked about his choice. "My luck has held since then."

The audience watched a homage to Ford showing him as Han Solo in Star Wars, Indiana Jones in Raiders of the Lost Ark and Dr Richard Kimble in the Fugitive.

As well as appearing in some of the most popular films ever, Ford starred in two of the 1980s biggest critical successes, Blade Runner and Witness.

"When I look at the reel, I realize how lucky I have been to work with such talented people and spend my life doing something I love," Ford told the crowd before the screening of his new film, K-19: The Widowmaker.

Red carpet

Ford was accompanied to the event by current partner, former Ally McBeal star Calista Flockhart.

The pair signed autographs for fans who lined up along the red carpet outside the cinema.

Flockhart, wearing a black strapless gown, told the crowd she was "really happy to be here" as they walked into the venue hand-in-hand.

Hanks is a father first

Meanwhile, Tom Hanks says he will not let his children see his role in Sam Mendes' violent Road to Perdition.

The gangster film explores father-son relationships after Hanks' character's young son sees him killing another man.

"I told them, 'You'll see it later. When you're older,'" Hanks said in an interview with Le Parisien newspaper.

"I don't joke around when it comes to raising my kids."

And Hanks said he was leaving the film festival to be home in time for his children's first day of school.

Mini furore

Gwyneth Paltrow has used her appearance at Deauville to back British men.

After the UK's Now magazine quoted her complaining she had had only two dates while in London performing in a play, there was a mini furore.

Paltrow now says her remarks were misunderstood and she was merely observing a "sociological difference between English dating and American dating".

"I happen to adore British men and I adore Britain," she said.