Douglas: 'Dad helped me though illness'

Michael Douglas has praised his father Kirk for helping him to get through his recent throat cancer treatment.

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, the Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps star suggested that his illness helped to repair the strained relationship that he once had with his dad.

Michael explained that Kirk "really made an effort" to comfort him upon learning of the cancer diagnosis.

"He was back here [for] almost 10 days. He came over everyday. He was great," he said.

The actor revealed that he will learn in January if his cancer has been eradicated.

He suggested that the ordeal "certainly has put a little perspective on mortality" and has "shown me what family is".

The star added: "It showed me a love that I never knew really existed."

The two-time Oscar winner also noted that he plans to return to acting in May or June of next year to star in a biopic of famed pianist Liberace.

Michael has starred in more than four-dozen films over the course of his career.