Michael Douglas to receive honorary Palme d’Or at Cannes 2023

Michael Douglas, who is known for his roles in Wall Street, Fatal Attraction and Basic Instinct among others, will be presented with an honorary Palme d’Or at the 76th Cannes Film Festival 2023. He will be honoured for lifetime achievement. 

Palme d’Or d’honneur, the honorary Palme d’Or, will be presented to Michael Douglas at the opening ceremony of the Festival de Cannes on May 16. The opening ceremony of the festival will pay tribute to his brilliant career and engagement in cinema. 

For the premiere of James Bridge's The China Syndrome in 1979, Douglas first appeared alongside Jane Fonda, Jack Lemmon, and the director on Cannes' legendary red carpet. He then returned in 1992 and the next year for the Cannes competition premiere of Paul Verhoeven's Basic Instinct and  Joel Schumacher’s Falling Down. His most recent appearance was in 2013, for Steven Soderbergh’s Behind the Candelabra. Douglas played a famous pianist in the film. 

In a statement, Douglas said, “It is always a breath of fresh air to be at Cannes, which has long provided a wonderful platform for bold creators, artistic audacities and excellence in storytelling." He continued that the festival has always reminded him that the magic of cinema is not just in what we see onscreen but in its ability to impact people all around the world.

"After more than 50 years in the business, it’s an honour to return to the Croisette to open the Festival and embrace our shared global language of film," he concluded.

Cannes will screen the previously-unreleased documentary Michael Douglas's The Prodigal Son by director Amine Mesta on the festival website from May 14-16, as a part of its tribute to the actor. 

The 2023 Cannes Film Festival runs May 16-27.