Tom Hanks struggled to contain his emotions as he was presented with a Theatre World Award in honour of his Broadway debut in hit play Lucky Guy.

The two-time Oscar-winner choked back tears as he was handed the accolade on Monday (03Jun13) for his performance in the show, which was penned by his late friend, writer/moviemaker Nora Ephron, who died last June (12).

The 69th annual awards ceremony celebrates six actors and six actresses who have made either an Outstanding Broadway Performance or Off-Broadway Debut Performance, and this year's (13) honourees also included Sienna Miller's partner Tom Sturridge for his role in Broadway show Orphans.

Jonny Orsini received the fifth annual Dorothy Loudon Award, while veteran star Alan Alda was feted with the newly established John Willis Award for Lifetime Achievement and joked during his acceptance speech, "Next year, this award will go to Tom Hanks."

The star-studded ceremony took place at the Music Box Theatre in New York City.