Drew Barrymore picked up the inaugural Elizabeth Taylor Award at the 20th anniversary Acria Holiday Dinner gala in New York on Thursday night (10Dec15).

The Charlie's Angels star was honored for her philanthropic work in Africa combating AIDS but confessed she had no idea why she was picked as the new trophy's first recipient when she first got the invite.

"People were like, 'Wow, you're being honored?' and I was like, 'Why? This is weird',” Drew said. "I thought, 'Elizabeth Taylor - well, OK, we were both child actresses, we have that in common. And let's face it, we're both hedonists'.

"(But) she brought tremendous awareness... in the most profound way for people with HIV and AIDS... and, as well known as she is, she left a legacy behind where she is so utterly remembered for the philanthropy and the crusading that she did."

"The best way for me to thank you is to live the rest of my life where an actress is just one thing on my CV," she added.

Photographers Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin were also honored at the Cunard Building event, staged by AIDS and HIV service organization Acria.