Michael Douglas Rejects 'Nepo Baby' Label, Citing Family's Long History in Show Business

Michael Douglas has voiced his disapproval of the term "nepo baby," asserting that it is an "unfortunate title." The 82-year-old actor, whose career spans decades and follows in the footsteps of his late father, Kirk Douglas, shared his perspective while promoting his memoir, "One Helluva Ride."

Douglas questioned the specificity of the label, suggesting that familial influence is prevalent across various industries. "I guess you could say that about any business," he told Page Six. "The same thing with Hollywood royalty. My father’s father was a junkman."

He noted that the careers of men in his family are a theme explored in his book, aiming to detail the effort involved in achieving success versus having it handed to one. "That was part of my motivation – to tell about the ups and the downs anyone has in their life, and how hard you work for it versus something that’s just handed to you," Douglas explained.

His comments follow those of his wife, Catherine Zeta-Jones, who described the term "nepo baby" as "horrific" in a recent interview with AARP magazine. Zeta-Jones shared that she and Douglas sought to ascertain their children's genuine passion for acting by recounting the challenges of the industry. "We told them all the [Hollywood] horror stories to see if their passion for the art and the craft was genuine," she stated. "But they’ve done every production, they went to every theater camp."

Despite the potential for assistance, Zeta-Jones emphasized that their children, Dylan, 26, and Carys, 23, have pursued their careers independently. "They worked every college film and musical and straight play," she said, expressing pride in their determination. Douglas also has a son, Cameron, 47, from a previous marriage.

Douglas, whose parents were also in the entertainment industry, reflected on his own early career experiences. He recalled being told he resembled his father, a compliment he initially found difficult, desiring to forge his own identity. He also mentioned his father's concerns about him entering show business.

Douglas recounted his father's worries regarding his career choice, adding that his own children are "very talented" and he believes "it will all work out."

He reiterated that parents generally try to support their children's endeavors, regardless of the profession. "We all try to help our kids to some degree," he reasoned. Douglas and Zeta-Jones's children have been involved in performances since kindergarten, undertaking numerous productions and summer theater camps, he confirmed.

Zeta-Jones expressed gratitude for her own career in acting, which has provided her with significant opportunities. She stated her desire for her children to have similar experiences, noting their hard work, auditions, and self-made paths with pride. Dylan studied political science and Carys earned degrees in film and international relations at Brown University.