Canadian actor Jim Carrey, shown in Cannes, France, last May has been admitted to the French Order of Arts and Letters. (Joel Ryan/Associated Press)

Canadian-American actor Jim Carrey and Scotland's Ewan McGregor were named knights in France's National Order of Arts and Letters on Monday.

French Culture Minister Frederic Mitterrand honoured the two actors, telling them that French movie-goers love their work.

"I love you Jim Carrey! I love you Ewan McGregor!" Mitterand declared.

Carrey, star of Ace Ventura and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, was born in Newmarket, Ont., and has a star on Canada's Walk of Fame.

McGregor, the Star Wars heartthrob whose next role is in Roman Polanski's The Ghost Writer, is married to Eve Mavrakis, a French production designer.

Both actors were in Paris to promote I Love You Phillip Morris, a gay romance that features Carrey as a con man who falls in love with his cellmate.

The Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres is a recognition of a significant contribution to the arts.

With files from The Associated Press