Michael Douglas Details Decades of Near-Misses, Tragedies, and Threats in Memoir

Michael Douglas, the acclaimed actor and producer, has detailed a life fraught with near-fatal accidents on film sets, credible threats against his life, and profound personal struggles in his new memoir, "One Helluva Ride." The book, released recently, chronicles decades of challenging experiences that have shaped his public and private life.

Douglas, 82, describes a career blighted by tragic events and personal turmoil, beginning early in his television career. On his first day of filming "The Streets of San Francisco" in the 1970s, he nearly caused a fatal accident involving co-star Karl Malden. While navigating a driving scene with a police escort, Douglas took a hill too fast, sending the car airborne and resulting in a jarring landing. Malden's reaction, according to Douglas, was a calm but memorable, "Well, this is going to be an interesting series. I'm going back to my trailer to change my underwear."

Later, while gaining prominence, Douglas became a target of the Death Angels, a violent gang. He recounted being informed by a police adviser that the gang had mentioned him as a target. This led to undercover officers being placed on his crew and Douglas occasionally wearing a bulletproof vest while filming in public.

Personal and Professional Conflicts

Beyond on-set dangers, Douglas also navigated intense familial pressures. He acquired the rights to "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" through his father Kirk Douglas's company but was ultimately forced to remove his father from the lead role due to his age. This decision led to a deeply strained relationship with Kirk, who felt betrayed by his son.

The production of "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" itself was not without incident. The film, which ultimately starred Jack Nicholson, utilized real mental health patients as extras in a medium-security ward. This led to a serious accident when a crew member's joke about jumping out a window inspired a patient to do so, resulting in a broken collarbone. Actor Danny DeVito also experienced anxiety due to the demanding schedule, even developing an imaginary friend.

Further on-set disasters marked Douglas's career. During the filming of "Romancing the Stone," an alligator used in a scene bit its trainer, with the trainer's watch absorbing the brunt of the injury. The crocodile later struck Douglas with its tail, knocking him down. The sequel, "The Jewel of the Nile," filmed in Morocco, faced even greater tragedy when a pre-production scouting flight crashed, killing several crew members, including the production designer and manager. Douglas described this as one of the saddest and most horrible moments of his career.

Additional incidents included an alligator biting its trainer on the hand during "Romancing the Stone," with the animal's jaw-wiring failing and its bite being mitigated by the trainer's Rolex watch. The crocodile also struck Douglas in the face with its tail. Later, during the filming of "The Jewel of the Nile" in Morocco, a pre-production scouting flight crashed, killing multiple crew members. The cast and crew also faced extortion from authorities and a declared hepatitis outbreak, leading them to flee the country on a cargo plane.

Douglas also recounted accidentally giving co-star Glenn Close a concussion during a scene in "Fatal Attraction" where he was meant to slam her against a wall, admitting he did it "a little harder than I meant to."

Personal Battles and Threats

The memoir also delves into Douglas's personal struggles, including a second credible death threat received at the 1992 Oscars, where he was warned of an attempt to stab him with an HIV-infected needle. This occurred during the height of the AIDS crisis, making the threat particularly alarming.

That same year, Douglas entered rehab for alcohol and substance abuse after his first wife, Diandra Luker, issued an ultimatum. He described drugs as being normalized in Hollywood at the time and recounted instances of drug use, including with O.J. Simpson.

His struggles with addiction were mirrored in his eldest son, Cameron, who battled drug abuse and served a prison sentence for drug trafficking charges. Douglas admitted to being distant from Cameron during his son's incarceration and struggles.

Family Legacy and Relationships

Douglas has long grappled with living in the shadow of his famous father, Kirk Douglas, whom he describes as having been from a generation that used physical discipline. He recounted being afraid of his father and experiencing an "ongoing internal conflict" regarding his father's fame and their relationship.

The memoir also details his admission of an affair with "Romancing the Stone" co-star Kathleen Turner while married to Diandra Luker. He also discusses his eventual marriage to Catherine Zeta-Jones, their initial courtship, a period of separation, and their eventual reconciliation. Douglas has also publicly pushed back against the term "nepo baby," defending the practice of parents helping their children in professional endeavors.

Douglas, who has won multiple awards throughout his career, including two Academy Awards, has used his memoir to offer a candid look at the challenges and triumphs that have defined his life in and out of the spotlight.