Actor-turned-activist Sean Penn is celebrating after he was made an official ambassador to Haiti on Saturday (14Jan12).
The Milk star has worked tirelessly to raise money and awareness for the impoverished nation since it was struck by a devastating earthquake back in 2010 and his efforts were rewarded over the weekend.
Penn was offered the job by Haitian foreign minister Laurent Lamothe at the Cinema for Peace benefit in Beverly Hills, California.
Stepping up to the podium to greet the crowd, the actor beamed, "I do accept. (It would be useful to) change being called, 'Hey you (expletive), to hey Mr. Ambassador!"
The event, which was attended by the likes of George Clooney, Julia Roberts, Demi Moore, Orlando Bloom, Mel Gibson and Hilary Swank, raised $5 million (Gbp3.1 million) in relief funds for the country thanks to a private auction.
According to the New York Post, singer Damien Rice shelled out $475,000 (Gbp296,875) for one of Bono's guitars and Roberts' husband, Danny Moder, offered to fork out $50,000 (Gbp31,250) for a trip to Haiti with Penn.