$6 bn man Michael Bay honored by Hollywood

LOS ANGELES: Michael Bay sank his hands and feet into the forecourt of Hollywood´s TCL Chinese Theatre on Tuesday as he was honored for a money-spinning movie career that has netted almost $6 billion.

The 52-year-old Los Angeles native is known for directing some of history´s biggest effects-laden blockbusters, from "Bad Boys" (1995), "Armageddon" (1998) and "Pearl Harbor" (2001) to the "Transformers" franchise.

"It brings back your childhood because I remember as a kid I came here. And this is where I went to the movies with my parents, this was the place where I saw ´Raiders of the Lost Ark,´ when I decided I want to become a director," he told AFP.

Bay, who now calls Miami home, worked as an intern for George Lucas´s special effects company Industrial Light and Magic before kickstarting his directing career with commercials and music videos for Tina Turner, Lionel Richie and Meat Loaf.

His first feature film -- "Bad Boys," starring Will Smith and Martin Lawrence -- marked the beginning of a string of collaborations between Bay and veteran producer Jerry Bruckheimer.

"It´s bizarre as a kid to think, this was always untouchable to me, you know," he said of being honored by Hollywood.

"You don´t ever think that´s possible, so it´s kind of a bizarre thing having your hands printed here."

Known for high octane action, Bay´s movies have made $5.8 billion, allowing him to indulge a passion for aviation and motoring, according to Rolling Stone magazine, snapping up a $50 million Gulfstream jet and a fleet of luxury and sports cars.