Michael Douglas on Filming Sex Scenes: 'Trust is the Big Thing'

Veteran actor Michael Douglas has shared insights into the process of filming sex scenes, emphasizing the crucial role of trust and communication between actors, particularly in an era before the common use of intimacy coordinators.

During an appearance on the "Happy, Sad, Confused" podcast, Douglas, 82, reflected on his experiences navigating these intimate moments on set. "There’s an art to sex scenes in films. It’s not easy to do things like shadowing people when you’re on top and this and that," he stated.

Douglas elaborated on the collaborative nature of such scenes, describing them as requiring significant trust. "But the big thing with sex scenes is trust," he explained. "And as long as the lady is trusting me — obviously I trust her — it’s like a dance. You’re taking the lead."

He detailed a methodical approach, involving verbal agreement and clear choreography. "You just talk it out slowly. ‘Kiss, kiss, bite. Looking at you. Is it all right to touch your breasts?’ ‘Yes.’ ’All right, I'm touching your breasts. Kiss. Kiss,'" Douglas recounted. "You do it, and it’s just like choreographing a fight scene."

He also highlighted the importance of making female performers feel comfortable, especially given the typically male-dominated crews on film sets. "It’s awkward enough for ladies, in terms of being mostly surrounded by a male crew and everything, especially in those days, to make sure that they were as comfortable as possible," he said.

Douglas further discussed his broader philosophy on acting, viewing his role as a component of a larger whole. "I've always thought your role is one small part of the whole," he noted. "And so what you really need … is better actors around you. You want the best you can get because it’s the whole thing that matters."

In his memoir, "One Helluva Ride," Douglas explored personal and professional milestones, including his complex relationship with his father, Kirk Douglas, his son Cameron's struggles with addiction and imprisonment, and his own battle with cancer. He also touched upon past relationships and on-set dynamics, including an account of an affair with screenwriter Diane Thomas during the making of "Romancing the Stone," which his first wife, Diandra, disputed aspects of. His former co-star Lee Purcell also contested his depiction of their relationship during the filming of "Adam at 6 A.M."