Michael Douglas Resents 'Nepo Baby' Label for Himself and Children

Michael Douglas, the son of legendary actor Kirk Douglas, has expressed his strong disapproval of the term 'nepo baby,' which is often applied to the children of famous individuals. Douglas, 82, stated in a recent interview with The Sunday Times that he resents the label, describing it as having a "snotty tone." He also voiced his objection to his own children, Dylan and Carys, being subjected to this term as they pursue acting careers.

Douglas argued that the criticism leveled at children of famous parents for leveraging their family connections is unique to the entertainment industry. "In every other business, every mother and father helps their kids," he said. "We all know the companies, the names are 'so and so and son, or daughter.' In every other business everybody else, in relation, is required to have the same success or continuity. Whereas in this one, you're criticized for being the same."

His comments follow similar sentiments from his wife, Catherine Zeta-Jones, who described the term 'nepo baby' as "horrific." She noted that their children did not choose to be born into celebrity and are forging their own paths. Dylan, 26, graduated from Brown University and has secured roles in film, while Carys, 23, recently made her stage debut.

Douglas, whose own career began under the shadow of his famous father, Kirk Douglas, acknowledged that he is himself an example of nepotism in Hollywood. However, he emphasized the perceived unfairness of the label when applied to individuals who achieve a level of success comparable to their parents. He is set to release his autobiography, "One Helluva Ride," on October 6.

The memoir also delves into Douglas's personal life, including his past relationships. He recounts an affair with his "Romancing the Stone" co-star Kathleen Turner in the 1980s, which occurred while his marriage to Diandra Luker was experiencing difficulties. Douglas and Turner had maintained a decades-long pact of silence about their relationship, a secret he decided to reveal in his book. Turner has responded to his revelations, stating that she looks forward to enjoying the book and playfully remarking on the fuss over an event from 40 years ago.

Douglas and Turner's professional collaboration extended beyond "Romancing the Stone," with subsequent successful films like "The Jewel of the Nile" and "The War of the Roses." They also reunited on screen years later for the Netflix series "The Kominsky Method." Douglas's marriage to Diandra Luker ended in divorce in 2000, the same year he married Catherine Zeta-Jones. He and Zeta-Jones have two children, Dylan and Carys.