Last night at the Santa Barbara Film Festival Michael Douglas was honoured in a special way with the Kirk Douglas Award for Excellence in Film.
"In my opinion, this event tonight is the pinnacle of the Santa Barbara Film Festival's 27 years," festival director Roger Durling said before introducing Kirk Douglas to present the award. "It's definitely the highlight of my tenure."
Michael, 67, hugged his 94-year-old father and as he was presented with the award at the Four Seasons Biltmore hotel.
His wife Catherine Zeta Jones clapped and looked on proudly as the father and son shared the family moment on the stage at the black tie event.
Before giving his son the accolade, Kirk recalled: "I was walking down Sunset Boulevard and a young lady ran up to me all out of breath. She was beautiful. She looked up to me with lovely eyes. I reached back to grab a pen to give her an autograph and she looked up to me and said, 'Michael Douglas's father!'"
He added: "To tell the truth, I wanted Michael to be a lawyer. I secretly hoped he would be bad so I could tell him to forget it. He wasn’t. But as proud as I am of his achievements on screen, I am even prouder of the humanitarian work he has done for the United Nations and other organisations.
"I am very happy to give this award to my favourite actor/producer who also happens to be my firstborn son."
A father/son moment: Kirk Douglas presents Michael with the Kirk Douglas Award for Excellence in Film.
In accepting the honour, the younger Douglas replied, "I gather this is the sixth time" the Kirk Douglas Award has been presented. "That just shows there's no nepotism involved in this."
Michael Douglas was accompanied by his wife Catherine Zeta-Jones at the event.
