Reese Witherspoon made an emotional tribute to her family as she collected the American Cinematheque Award on Friday night.

Of Jim, she shared: "My biggest fan and my greatest champion and without whom I would never have scaled a mountain or started a new company or parented three amazing kids."

Speaking about her kids, she added: "My amazing children - Ava and Deacon are here. Hopefully Tennessee is asleep. He never sleeps - I just want to thank you for all the times you had to say goodbye to your mom while she packed to go on a location or for missing your school trips or special days because you were on some location in some far flung area in Georgia or Louisiana or London or wherever.

"For understanding that I love my job, that it feeds my soul to be creative and how I hope one day it may feed your soul too and that you'll teach your children to be hardworking and creative and for knowing in your heart that no matter where I am in the world you are always with me. I love you more than you will ever know."

The 39-year-old actress went on to praise her "wonderful supportive family," insisting she couldn't be in the film industry without their support.

She gushed: "You can't be in this business if you don't have a wonderful supportive family and I have the most amazing family."