Actor Michael Douglas was awarded the “Jewish Nobel” in a lavish ceremony last night in Jerusalem.

Mr Douglas, 70, was honoured with the Genesis prize for his commitment to Jewish values and the Jewish people.

His wife, actress Catherine Zeta-Jones, and their two children Dylan and Carys, were all at the event at the Jerusalem Theatre to support him.

In a speech, he thanked his son for choosing to have a barmitzvah last year and cited the inspiration of his father, actor Kirk Douglas, who celebrated his second barmitzvah at the age of 83.

“My journey to this stage was a long time in the making,” said Mr Douglas said, before adding, “to be able to say those four words with great pride: I am a Jew.”

The actor said he planned to donate the $2 million prize to the Jewish Funders’ Network and Hillel International.

The award is funded by Genesis Prize Foundation, a group of Russian-Jewish businessmen who provide identity-building programmes for Russian Jews.