Cannes Film Festival 2013: Michael Douglas breaks down in tears about cancer during Behind The Candelabra press conference

Actors Michael Douglas and Matt Damon attend the 'Behind The Candelabra' photocall (Getty Images)

Michael Douglas broke down in tears while talking about his recent bout of throat cancer during a press conference at the Cannes Film Festival.

The actor, 68, has won rave reviews for his turn as flamboyant pianist Liberace in the Steven Soderbergh film, Behind The Candelabra, which had its premiere at the French festival today.

He was pictured ahead of the press conference laughing and joking with co-star Matt Damon, who plays Liberace’s young lover Scott Thorson.

But during the press call Douglas was overcome by emotion when he thanked Soderbergh for patiently delaying filming for him while he underwent treatment for throat cancer.

"It was right after my cancer and then this beautiful gift was handed to me and I’m eternally grateful for everyone for waiting for me," Douglas remarked.

As he struggled to regain his composure Douglas was loudly applauded by the audience.

In a recent interview with the New York magazine the actor, who is married to Welsh actress Catherine Zeta-Jones, said he had beaten throat cancer after two specialists failed to initially diagnose him.

He said that beating the disease had given him a "new rejuvenation" and that "things had been going good for me for a long time" before the disease so his diagnosis three years ago in some way balanced things out.

Douglas has previously won two Oscars and four Golden Globes during his 40-year career. He is probably best known as Gordon Gekko in the Wall Street films.