Cancer-Free Michael Douglas & Catherine Zeta-Jones Celebrate His Icon Status
Jan. 14 2011, Published 4:46 a.m. ET
Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones beamed bright last night at the Icon Award Presentation during the 22nd Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival in Palm Springs, Calif. A cancer-free Michael stood strong next to his wife as he was celebrated for his acting prowess and extensive career in Hollywood. Michael beat his battle with Stage 4 throat cancer and is very open about his recovery.
“The tumor is gone. But, you know, I have to check out on a monthly basis now to maintain,” Michael told Matt Lauer earlier this week on TODAY. “I guess there’s not a total euphoria. I’ll probably take a couple of months of getting checked out. But it’s been a wild six-month ride.”
Michael told Matt his sickness brought him closer with his family and has given him a fresh perspective.
“It gave me a really new appreciation of just how valuable, how precious good friends are and family,” the Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps star shared. “And it’s not that I disregarded them before, but there’s a much deeper feeling. And I’ve talked to other cancer survivors about this, that — that happens, that you just really, really appreciate what’s important in life.”
Michael opened up more about his battle on last night's carpet.
Catch the clip below.