Jeanne Tripplehorn Surfaces with Husband After Michael Douglas Confirms On-Set Affair
The 'Basic Instinct' actress was photographed in Los Angeles on the same day Douglas' memoir detailing their past romance was released.
Jeanne Tripplehorn, co-star of the 1992 film 'Basic Instinct,' was seen in Los Angeles on Tuesday, marking her first public appearance since her former on-screen partner, Michael Douglas, disclosed their affair during the filming of the movie. Tripplehorn was photographed with her husband, actor Leland Orser, on the same day Douglas' memoir, 'One Helluva Ride,' was released, which details their past romantic involvement.
Douglas' memoir reveals that he was deeply infatuated with Tripplehorn, then 28 and unmarried, while he was still married to his first wife, Diandra Luker. Douglas, who was 47 at the time, confessed that he considered leaving Luker for Tripplehorn but ultimately decided against it. He stated that he assured Tripplehorn they had separated, though his marriage to Luker was reportedly experiencing difficulties.
Tripplehorn, now 63, appeared casually dressed in a black t-shirt and jeans. She and Orser met on the set of the 1998 film 'Very Bad Things,' approximately six years after her relationship with Douglas concluded. They married in 2000 and have a son, August, born in 2002.
Douglas described the on-set intimacy between himself and Tripplehorn as challenging due to their real-life connection, noting Tripplehorn's nervousness during filming. He detailed a particularly intense sex scene where he was directed to bite her neck, emphasizing that consent was discussed and agreed upon prior to shooting, despite the absence of intimacy coordinators at the time.
He maintained that their relationship ended after production wrapped but expressed his admiration for Tripplehorn as an actress and woman. Douglas later sought and received Tripplehorn's permission to include their romantic history in his memoir.
The memoir also addresses an alleged affair Douglas had with Kathleen Turner during the filming of their 1984 film 'Romancing the Stone.' Douglas admitted to a romantic connection with Turner, stating that their attraction grew from their close collaboration and the pressures of filming. He described a pact with Turner to deny their relationship publicly to protect his then-wife and son.
Turner, who had previously denied an affair with Douglas, reacted to the memoir's revelations with equanimity, stating, "Good heavens, what a fuss about something 40 years ago! I love Michael and I look forward to enjoying the book."
Douglas' marriage to Luker ended three years after 'Basic Instinct' was released. He married Catherine Zeta-Jones in 2000.