Tirana - The US actor with Albanian roots, James Belushi, was decorated Monday in Tirana by President Bamir Topi for taking care of his family heritage, the ATA news agency reported.

"You are a remarkable case we are proud of you," Topi said after handing the Honour of the Nation medal to Belushi in "gratitude to the man who ... inherited and preserved in the love for Albania and his Albanian descent."

A first-generation Albanian-American, Belushi admitted he was not sure "what I have done to deserve it - except that I have always been proud for who I am and where I come from."

Belushi, 54, is best known for comic roles in the cult US TV series Saturday Night Live and has starred in numerous big-hitting films throughout the 1980s and 1990s.

Albania awarded the Honour of the Nation medal to people such as Mother Theresa, a Catholic nun of Albanian roots famous for her humanitarian work. (dpa)