Michael Douglas Reflects on Tumultuous Career, Personal Life in New Memoir Excerpts
The acclaimed actor details past relationships, on-set affairs, and personal struggles in a recently published memoir.
Michael Douglas, the veteran actor known for his roles in "Wall Street," "Basic Instinct," and "Fatal Attraction," has offered a candid look into his personal life and career in recent excerpts from his forthcoming memoir.
In the disclosed passages, Douglas addresses his past romantic entanglements, including an admitted fling with Kathleen Turner, his co-star in the 1984 film "Romancing the Stone." He also recounts extramarital affairs during his first marriage to Diandra Luker, with whom he shares a son, Cameron. Douglas's memoir details his struggles with addiction, including alcohol, which he states led to a period of significant personal turmoil and strained relationships.
The actor's disclosures touch upon his challenging relationship with his son, Cameron Douglas, who has publicly battled drug addiction. Michael Douglas describes refusing to attend group therapy sessions during his son's struggles, reflecting on their "really rough" relationship.
Douglas also recounts an incident at the height of his addiction where he drunkenly threatened actress Julia Roberts at an awards ceremony. He detailed a period where his substance abuse led to significant weight loss and health issues, including a battle with stage four cancer.
The memoir also revisits his iconic role in "Basic Instinct," where he claims explicit scenes caused a rash on co-star Sharon Stone's skin, a detail he expressed regret over. He further revealed that actor Kobe Bryant was a rival for Catherine Zeta-Jones's affection early in their courtship.
Douglas's reflections extend to his directorial debut with "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" and his early career choices, including a period of acting in films like "The Streets of San Francisco" before shifting towards more dramatic roles.
The excerpts offer a comprehensive look at the actor's journey, touching on his upbringing, the influence of his parents, and his own experiences with fame, relationships, and personal demons. Douglas's candor in the memoir aims to provide a lesson to women about the potential consequences of relationships with married men, drawing a parallel to his own complex life experiences.