To the world, Francis Ford Coppola is an Oscar award winning writer and director, but to actress Elle Fanning, he’s ‘Uncle Francis.’

The 23-year-old star offered a heartfelt tribute Monday to the legendary director as he received his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. 

The Great actress was among those offering accolades to The Godfather director on his special day. His sister, Godfather actress Talia Shire, offered her own high praise about the movie legend. 

Big star: Actress Elle Fanning offered a heartfelt tribute to director Francis Ford Coppola Monday as he received his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

Keeping it simple:  The Great actress turned out in a simple white dress with puffed sleeves and cut out back.  An I love Francis button was proudly displayed on the bodice

Elle was dressed in a simple but sexy white dress with an A-line skirt, puffed sleeves and a cut out back.  The star’s makeup look natural with a slightly red lip. 

Her only jewelry appeared to be a vintage style bracelet and an I love Francis button displayed prominently on the bodice. 

The young fashionista completed the look with pastel rainbow pumps with crystal buckles. 

During her five minute speech on Hollywood Boulevard, the Twixt star shared her experience working the the iconic filmmaker when she was only 13, saying the time spent together left an indelible mark on her life. 

Memories:  The Mary Shelley lead shared that she first met the legendary filmmaker when she was only 11 and was cast two years later in the iconic moviemaker’s murder mystery Twixt 

Family is the secret: Actress Talia Shire who worked with her brother on The Godfather films also had high praise for Coppola as a man and a storyteller. Elle commented the secret to his ‘sauce’ was ‘a pinch of a very loud voice, a dash of unwavering passion and a big cup of the not-so-secret secret ingredient, family’

‘We actually filmed on his vineyard in Napa Valley. We used cameras and costumes that he kept on the property and I got to stay in a house only walking distance to his own and we had meals with (wife) Ellie and Francis every single night,’ she said. 

‘It was there that I quite literally learned how the sauce was made. The ingredients seem to include a pinch of a very loud voice, a dash of unwavering passion and a big cup of the not-so-secret secret ingredient, family.’

The speech touched on the fabled director’s childhood and how Francis had developed his imagination to help endure isolation when he was suffering from polio.  

Resourcefulness: The 5’9″ beauty told the audience, ‘Francis uses what he has around him and spins it in to gold.’ She added jokingly, ‘I think he could make the fork on the table a heroin in his story if he needed to’

Love always: Elle shared that she and the storied director and producer have a continued affection for each other, saying, ‘In every email we’ve exchanged, you’ve always signed “love Uncle Francis,” so I love you so much Uncle Francis and there’s no one in the world more deserving than you’

The Mary Shelley lead claimed her experience with the Apocalypse Now great had touched her life in many ways, including learning to be resourceful. ‘Francis uses what he has around him and spins it in to gold.’ She added jokingly, ‘I think he could make the fork on the table a heroin in his story if he needed to.’

On a personal note, Elle shared that the two share a continued affection for each other. 

‘In every email we’ve exchanged, you’ve always signed “love Uncle Francis,” so I love you so much Uncle Francis and there’s no one in the world more deserving than you. You should have should have all the stars on the street if it was up to me. I love you.’