American actor Michael Douglas has been honored in Los Angeles, U.S., with a Career Achievement Award, which he dedicated to his wife Catherine Zeta-Jones and his father, Kirk, who will turn 100 this year.
Douglas received the honor on Monday at the 15th annual AARP Movies for Grownups Awards, which honors stars over the age of 50 and films that speak to that demographic.
“The last time I got a standing ovation was when I overcame cancer five years ago,” Douglas said excitedly at the end of the gala, which was held at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel.
Douglas, 71, also thanked advocacy group AARP for the role it plays in American society.
“You do a great job for the elderly, like my wife since she married me,” Douglas said, referring to 46-year-old Zeta-Jones.
The actor joked that news he had won the award initially caused some confusion.
“When they left me a message explaining the award, it was not very clear to me. I thought they gave me the award for my work in adult film,” he laughed. “I remember all my films but I don’t remember doing that kind of film.”
He also used his acceptance speech to pay tribute to his father and veteran Hollywood star Kirk Douglas.
“My father, who is 99 years old, called me recently, worried, because he was watching a movie on television that he did not remember doing. I said it was normal … and that it was age-related memory loss. Then he realized that he was not on that movie, but it was me,” said Douglas.
“I take that as a great compliment,” said the two-time Oscar winner.
Monday’s ceremony was hosted by comedian Kathy Griffin. AARP named ‘Spotlight’ best picture, while Bryan Cranston won the award for best actor for his role in ‘Trumbo’, and Lily Tomlin was named best actress for her performance in ‘Grandma’.
Mark Rylance and Diane Ladd won the awards for best supporting actor and actress for ‘Bridge of Spies’ and ‘Joy’, respectively, while Ridley Scott was named best director for ‘The Martian’.
