De Niro blasts Donald Trump at awards event as he takes home comedy award

Hollywood actor, Robert De Niro, 76 has blasted the Republican presidential candidate, saying his victory at the polls would be a "tragedy", as he was honoured at the Hollywood Film Awards in Beverly Hills on Sunday.

The Oscar-winning star who compared Trump to the "totally insane" General Jack D Ripper from Stanley Kubrick's Dr Strangelove, urged Americans to vote for Democratic party presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.

"It's two days until a frightening election. The shadow of politics is hanging over us whether we like it or not," he said.

"It's hard for me to think about anything else so let me lay it out right here. We have the opportunity to prevent a comedy from turning into a tragedy. Vote for Hillary Tuesday."

De Niro was awarded the Hollywood Comedy Award for his portrayal of an ageing comic in the film The Comedian.

Other A-list names recognised at the awards ceremony includes Mel Gibson, Nicole Kidman, Tom Hanks and Leonardo DiCaprio.