Ananova:

The director of the The Pink Panther movies and Breakfast at Tiffany's will receive an honorary Oscar, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced.

Blake Edwards will receive the lifetime achievement award during the ceremony on February 29.

In addition to the slapstick of The Pink Panther movies with the late Peter Sellers, the 81-year-old director's credits include the sex comedies 10, Mickey & Maude, Skin Deep and Switch.

Despite prolific work as a writer, director and producer, Edwards was nominated only once for an Oscar - for the screenplay to 1982's Victor/Victoria - and he did not win.

Other credits include the 1962 Jack Lemmon alcoholism drama Days of Wine and Roses, and the acerbic 1981 Hollywood satire S.O.B., in which his wife, actress Julie Andrews, skewered her wholesome Mary Poppins image by baring her breasts.

The citation on Edwards' honorary Oscar will read: "In recognition of his writing, directing and producing an extraordinary body of work for the screen."