Keyboardist
Son of Kirk Douglas and Diana Douglas. Stepson of Anne Douglas.
Named a United Nations Messenger of Peace. His mission: to focus worldwide attention on nuclear disarmament and human rights.
(October 1997) Ranked #74 in Empire magazines "The Top 100 Movie Stars of All Time" list.
Roomed with Danny DeVito when first starting out.
Received a Bachelors degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara as did singer Jack Johnson and actor Ossie Beck.
Older brother of Joel Douglas. Older half-brother of Peter Douglas and Eric Douglas.
Attended and graduated from the Choate Rosemary Hall.
Attended and graduated from Eaglebrook School in Deerfield, Massachusetts.
Michael is exactly 25 years older than his wife, Catherine Zeta-Jones. The two of them share a birthday, September 25th.
His paternal grandparents, Herschel Danielovitch and Bryna Sanglel, were Jewish immigrants from Belarus, who moved to America c. 1912. His mother, who was born in Devonshire, Bermuda, was of Belgian, Dutch, English, French, Irish, Scottish, and Welsh ancestry.
As of 2002, he and Sir Laurence Olivier are the only two people in history to win Oscars for both Best Picture and Best Actor (although Olivier won them simultaneously for the same film).
Initially turned down the role of Judge Wakefield in Traffic . He later accepted only after the script underwent extensive rewrites.
In 1975, he quit the television series "The Streets of San Francisco" to produce the film One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest .
On December 11, 2003, he was host, together with wife Catherine Zeta-Jones , at the 2003 Annual Nobel Peace Prize Concert in Oslo Spectrum in Oslo, Norway.
Has worked with three actors who share roles with his father. Kirk Douglas played Doc Holliday in Gunfight at the O.K. Corral . Val Kilmer played the role in Tombstone and then appeared with Michael in The Ghost and the Darkness . Dennis Quaid also played Holliday in Wyatt Earp and appeared with Michael in Traffic . Kirk played Ulysses (Odysseus) in Ulisse , based on The Odyssey. Michael appeared in Dont Say a Word with Sean Bean , who played Odysseus in Troy .
Five days after completing Black Rain , he started filming The War of the Roses .
In 1980, he was involved in a serious skiing accident, which sidelined his acting career for three years.
In September 1992, he underwent treatment for alcohol and substance abuse at Sierra Tucson Center.
Was named to Quigley Publications Top 10 Poll of Money-Making Stars six times between 1985 and 1995, hitting a high of #2 in 1987. Surprising, despite a career that has spanned seven decades, his father, Kirk Douglas , never made the list, the annual poll of movie exhibitors that ranks the top stars in terms of box-office drawing power.
He and The China Syndrome co-stars Jane Fonda and Jack Lemmon have all won Oscars for leading roles. Douglas won for Wall Street , Fonda for Klute , and Lemmon for Save the Tiger .
Turned down the role of Oliver Barrett in Love Story despite being offered 10% of the gross.
He endorsed Representative Richard Gephardt (D-MO) in the 2004 Democratic primaries.
His performance as Gordon Gekko in Wall Street is ranked #25 on Premiere magazines 100 Greatest Movie Characters of All Time.
Has been active in handgun control since John Lennon s murder on December 8, 1980.
Reason for being born in New Brunswick, New Jersey: His parents (who had a small apartment in Greenwich Village, New York) were visiting his mothers sister (who was married to one of the founders of Johnson & Johnson which is headquartered in New Bruswick) when he arrived prematurely.
(September 2007) Has residences in both New York City and Bermuda.
(April 29, 2009) Recovering from knee replacement surgery.
(July 20, 2009) Wrote the obituary tribute for friend and "The Streets of San Francisco" co-star Karl Malden in Time magazines "Milestones" section.
The Sunday Times estimated his and wife Catherine Zeta-Jones net worth at $278 million.
Studied acting with Michael Howard in New York City.
Friends with New York Jets owner Woody Johnson.
(August 16, 2010) Has a tumor in his throat and will undergo weeks of radiation and chemotherapy, but expected to make a full recovery.
(August 31, 2010) Announced on "Late Show with David Letterman" that he had Stage IV throat cancer and that he has started radiation and chemotherapy.
He was nominated for the 2011 New Jersey Hall of Fame for his contributions to the Arts and Entertainment.
Brazilian soccer star Maicon was supposed to be named after Michael Douglas. His father was a huge fan of Kirk Douglas and wanted to name his own son after Kirks son. However, he could not read or write and a clerk spelled Michael as Maicon. His full name is Maicon Douglas Sisenando.
Is fourteen years older than his first wife Diandra. He was 33 and she was 19 when they married.
He was inducted into the 2012 New Jersey Hall of Fame for his contributions to Arts and Entertainment.
(December 14, 2011) Will receive the Eugene ONeill Theater Centers 12th annual "Monte Cristo" award in April 2012.
In the late 1960s, Michael shared a New York apartment with fellow actor Danny DeVito at 338 West 89th Street in Manhattan where the rent was $75 each per month.
His acting mentor and best friend, Karl Malden , died on July 1, 2009, at age 97.
Became a father for the 3rd time at age 58 when his 2nd wife Catherine Zeta-Jones gave birth to their daughter Carys Zeta Douglas on April 20, 2003.
Became a father for the 2nd time at age 55 when his 2nd wife Catherine Zeta-Jones gave birth to their son Dylan Michael Douglas on August 8, 2000.
Became a father for the 1st time at age 34 when his 1st [now ex] wife Diandra Douglas gave birth to their son Cameron Morrell Douglas, aka Cameron Douglas , on December 13, 1978.
As of 2014, has appeared in two films that were nominated for the Best Picture Oscar: Fatal Attraction and Traffic . And produced Best Picture winner One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest .
His acting mentor was the late Karl Malden.
Revealed that he had a wonderful working relationship with Karl Malden on "The Streets of San Francisco" .
Once said in an interview that he preferred to make films for adult audiences because he felt couples, particularly parents with kids, deserved to have a night out.
Lived with actress Brenda Vaccaro for several years in the 1970s after meeting on the set of Summertree .
Dislikes making historical films--has made 1 WW II movie; prefers to make films with contemporary themes.
In March 2016 he denied newspaper reports that his cancer had returned.
Awarded Israels Genesis Prize by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in 2015 for his role as an actor, producer, and peace activist who has been actively promoting not just the culture but the real values of the Jewish community. Douglas said he will donate the money to activities designed to raise awareness about inclusion and diversity in Jewish life, and to finding innovative solutions to pressing global and community problems.
Had known Karl Malden through his fathers family, since he was a little boy, and until his mentors death in 2009.
Credits Karl Malden as his favorite acting mentor/best friend.
In 2013 he said he actually had tongue cancer, not throat cancer.
Surrogate son of Karl Malden.
Was roommates with Danny DeVito in a $150-a-month New York City apartment in the 1960s.
Counts Ballada o soldate (Ballad of a Soldier) as the first movie that made him cry.
Was named Mobil Man of the Month when he worked at a gas station at age 20.
Douglas avoids doing historical movies because, "Im a contemporary guy.".
The only time he was billed as M.K. Douglas was in 1969 when he appeared in an episode of "CBS Playhouse.".
Underwent a face augmentation at the St Regis Hotel in Century City, Los Angeles on 4 April 2003.
Has taken part in fundraisers for Montreals General Jewish Hospital.
Friends with Rob Reiner , Larry Manetti , Dick Van Patten , and Nick Ashford.
In 2016 he visited three college campuses in the U.S. to speak to students about Israel and modern anti-Semitism.
I would try to do something here first.
There is a time when you become sarcastic, you lose the passion, and,when you are blessed again, and you have the fortune to love somebody,the way I love my wife, you understand that you have to nurture your,partner and not take everything for granted. What a marvelous gift!,[1980] The exciting thing about making movies today is that everything,is up for grabs. And you had better grab.
Very healthy.
Actors are paid to be selfish and self-involved.
[on his career and his favorite films] I always say you work as hard on,your failures as your successes. I like my track record, I like my,batting average. I got a real good batting average. A lot of movies.
Not a lot of grand-slam home-runs, lot of singles, doubles, triples.
Lot of hits, you know? Small but kind of ultimately worked out. Kind of,fiduciary responsibilities and budgets. The ones that stick out are the,ones nobody wanted to make, from Falling Down (1993) to,Fatal Attraction (1987) , things like that. Or ones that were so,bizarre. The War of the Roses (1989) , Wonder Boys (2000) .
King of California (2007) was just, I thought, a really great,fresh, original kind of script. I loved the tone, the mix of tragedy,comedy and drama, and that it was a good part. Kind of a challenge, and,I was excited to work on it.
On Basic Instinct 2 (2006) : Yes, they asked me to do it a while,ago, I thought we had done it very effectively.
The first one was probably the best picture of her career - it,certainly made her career and she was great in it.
When we were going to have a baby, we knew a bounty hunt would happen.
Then I got struck down, I was just bowled over by Catherine, I was,smitten with her. The age difference has been irrelevant to us.
. . . in your career you can count on one hand the really good part. In,"Wall Street" I had the best part I ever had.
My younger kids could be my grandchildren. I want to be here awhile.
I have some idea of the pressure of finding your own identity with a famous father.
The studios basically, besides developing some material, their strength is distribution. Distribution in any other business is a cost that you incur. You know, in a trucking business, you eat it. In a film business, distribution is a profit center.
Learning patience was not an easy lesson.
My movies are usually about stripping off the makeup, getting down to the skeleton.
I went into rehab to save my marriage, but I wound up saving myself.
I try not to dwell too much on a bad marriage.
My marriage and my families come certainly before my career.
During my first marriage, my career was the most important thing in my life.
