Hollywood star Michael Douglas’ career has been honoured at the AARP Movies For Grownups Awards.

The star of Fatal Attraction, Wall Street and many other movies joked at the ceremony that his assistant mistakenly told him he was receiving an award for his work in adult films.

Bette Midler presents Michael Douglas with his award
Bette Midler presents Michael Douglas with his award (Rich Fury/AP)

Michael, who appeared with his wife, Catherine Zeta-Jones, was given the career achievement award at the advocacy group AARP’s annual gala, which honours stars over the age of 50 and the films which speak to that demographic.

The newspaper drama Spotlight was selected as best picture at the 15th annual ceremony, while Mark Rylance was chosen as best supporting actor for Bridge Of Spies, with Bryan Cranston named best actor for Trumbo.

Michael Douglas arriving with Catherine Zeta-Jones
Michael Douglas arriving with Catherine Zeta-Jones (Rich Fury/AP)

Lily Tomlin was honoured as best actress for Grandma, while Diane Ladd was awarded the best supporting actress trophy for Joy.

“I think when we set out to make this movie, we weren’t thinking about whether it was for kids or for grownups,” said Spotlight filmmaker Tom McCarthy.

“Collectively, we understood that it was a story we had to tell. It was that important. We hoped it would reach everybody who needed to hear it.”

Bryan Cranston accepts the award for Best Actor for Trumbo at the 15th Annual Movies for Grownups Awards
Bryan Cranston accepts the award for Best Actor for Trumbo at the 15th Annual Movies for Grownups Awards (Rich Fury/AP)

Bryan Cranston joked: “I’m delighted to be here tonight – and not just because my AARP gives me a deep discount on the parking.”

In her speech, Diane took issue with the competitive race for supporting actress at this year’s Academy Awards, which she is not among.

“I’m a little ticked off that the studios with greed put stars in films in the best supporting Oscar category,” said Diane.

“That’s not right. Rooney Mara won the best actress category at Cannes (for Carol). Why is she in my supporting category?”

Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara in Carol
Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara in Carol (StudioCanal)

At the beginning of night, show host Kathy Griffin joked that #OscarsSoYoung should be trending on Twitter and that she felt comfortable mocking youngsters at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel ceremony in Beverly Hills, California.

Other winners on Monday included The Intern as best comedy, Love & Mercy as best time capsule, The Last Man On The Moon as best documentary, Learning To Drive as best buddy picture, 5 Flights Up as best grownup love story, Rams as best foreign film, Inside Out for best movie for grownups who refuse to grow up and Creed as best intergenerational film.

Kathy Griffin and Dick Van Dyke
Kathy Griffin and Dick Van Dyke (Rich Fury/AP)

“I’m one of those weird millennials,” said Creed director Ryan Coogler during his acceptance speech, which he jokingly left Sylvester Stallone out of in a nod to the Rocky star not thanking him at the Golden Globes.

Other attendees at Monday’s star-studded ceremony included Morgan Freeman, Bette Midler, Patricia Clarkson, June Squibb, Phylicia Rashad, Elizabeth Banks, Mark Ruffalo and Dick Van Dyke.

“I expected to see a lot of old people here,” joked Dick. “I’m 90. I’m probably like the oldest person in this room!”