Michael Douglas Details Wild Memoir: Sexing Up Danny DeVito's Apartment, Drug Smuggling and More

Michael Douglas' new memoir, "One Helluva Ride," pulls back the curtain on a life marked by unconventional choices, from his early days as a struggling actor to his decades-long Hollywood career. The 82-year-old Oscar winner details relationships, drug use, and a stint as a drug smuggler in the candid account.

Douglas recounts how, in the late 1990s, when he began dating Catherine Zeta-Jones, she set a monogamy condition. Douglas, who admits to dating multiple women at the time, humorously notes he "had to make five quick calls" to inform them of the change in his availability. He described this period as a "respectful way to be nonmonogamous," as none of the women demanded commitment.

During his time as an unknown actor sharing an apartment with Danny DeVito, Douglas' active social life led to DeVito often finding himself "living more outside the apartment than in," due to a "sock on the doorknob" signal indicating Douglas's romantic engagements.

His youth was also marked by a significant relationship with an older woman, whom he likens to "Mrs. Robinson" from "The Graduate." He credits her with teaching him valuable lessons about women, stating, "‘The Graduate’ felt like a documentary when I watched it."

Douglas also delves into his complex relationship with his father, the legendary Kirk Douglas. He describes his father's "volcanic temper" and an unhappy marriage to his mother, which made him a "shy and cautious" child. However, he notes that their relationship transformed in later years, becoming "stronger than I ever could have dreamed."

During his college years at the University of California at Santa Barbara, Douglas reported extensive LSD use, admitting to taking the drug more than a hundred times over a three-year period, but never more than once a week.

To fund his education, Douglas resorted to a risky method: drug smuggling. Using "two beautiful, soft leather Italian suitcases" gifted by his father, he transported marijuana from California to New York, profiting significantly. He states he only made the run twice, graduating debt-free. He also describes how readily available drugs were on film sets, with crew members often serving as dealers.

In the 1970s, Douglas recounts a period of heavy cocaine use with Rolling Stone founder Jann Wenner, describing their habits as escalating to using the drug multiple times throughout the evening.

His struggles with substance abuse led him to rehab in 1992. Prior to entering treatment, he had a public altercation with actress Julia Roberts at a Golden Globes party in 1990. Douglas, who produced the film "Flatliners" starring Roberts, admits he was "pretty drunk" when he confronted her for touching his son, Cameron. He later apologized to Roberts and her then-fiancé, Kiefer Sutherland.

Douglas' first marriage to Diandra Luker was reportedly unhappy, with both partners seeing other people. He admits to an affair with Kathleen Turner during the filming of "Romancing the Stone," which ended when Luker confronted Turner. He also had an affair with Jeanne Tripplehorn while making the 1992 film "Basic Instinct," admitting he was "crazy about her" and considered leaving his wife.

His son, Cameron, has also battled his own drug addiction, serving time in prison for drug charges. Douglas shared that he and his friend, director Rob Reiner, found comfort in each other's company while navigating their sons' struggles with addiction.

Despite the tumultuous periods, Douglas found lasting love with Catherine Zeta-Jones. The couple, who share two children, Dylan and Carys, have faced significant challenges, including Douglas's 2010 diagnosis of stage IV throat cancer. He describes the grueling treatment as a "rebirth" that clarified his priorities and deepened his appreciation for family. The couple also experienced a brief separation in 2013 but reconciled the following year, with Douglas expressing his profound love and commitment to Zeta-Jones.

"One Helluva Ride" offers a candid look at Douglas's life, encompassing his early adventures, career milestones, personal battles, and enduring relationships.