Michael Douglas is advising actors against pursuing romantic relationships with their co-stars, reflecting on his own "mistake" of a secret affair with Kathleen Turner during the filming of their 1984 film "Romancing the Stone."
In his new memoir, "One Helluva Ride," Douglas, 82, confessed to the dalliance, which occurred while he was married to his first wife, Diandra Luker, and Turner was dating her future husband, Jay Weiss.
"A lot of actors make the mistake early in their career of having a relationship with their leading lady," Douglas stated at an event in London. "What they forget is that you can break up. They're having to perform these love scenes, and they hate each other. We've all made that mistake, and I try to warn people."
During the production of "Romancing the Stone," rumors of their romance circulated widely, reportedly prompting Luker to visit the film's set in Mexico to confront Turner, who had publicly denied the affair. Douglas's memoir details how he and Turner became caught up in "lust" on set.
"Kathleen was smart, funny and sexy, with a deep sultry voice that became her signature," he wrote. "I instantly liked her and we were immediately attracted to each other. My home life, he maintained, was 'in a bad place.' "Diandra and I were both having extramarital affairs. The truth is that during the production of Romancing the Stone, Kathleen and I fell hard for each other and began a relationship."
He described their romance as growing naturally from their close collaboration, the pressure of filming, mutual respect, and attraction. He also recounted sneaking into Turner's hotel room after filming wrapped each day.
Douglas's then-wife, Diandra, reportedly ended the affair by appearing on set with their then-four-year-old son, Cameron.
Despite the affair, Douglas and Turner maintained a professional connection, starring together in the sequel "The Jewel of the Nile" in 1985 and reuniting for the 1989 dark comedy "The War of the Roses," directed by Danny DeVito.
Douglas and Turner had a "gentleman's agreement" to deny their romantic involvement publicly, which Douglas characterized as an effort "to protect my wife and son."
Turner had previously told The Mail on Sunday that while the chemistry was palpable and they were "terrible flirts," the affair never escalated because Douglas's wife appeared on set. She has since reacted to Douglas's admission with "equanimity," reportedly saying, "Good heavens, what a fuss about something 40 years ago! I love Michael and I look forward to enjoying the book."