Michael Douglas Jokes Costars Become ‘Comfortable’ and ‘Sometimes That Gets Carried Away’ as He Reflects on Past Romances

In a recent appearance on The Graham Norton Show, Michael Douglas candidly shared insights about his love life, including the pivotal moment involving his now-wife, Catherine Zeta-Jones. The 82-year-old actor was there to promote his new memoir, *One Helluva Ride*, when he was asked if he was surprised by the number of romantic relationships he had experienced throughout his life.

Douglas responded with a touch of humour, acknowledging his astonishment. He reflected on the nature of their industry, noting the level of comfort between male and female actors that often extends beyond professionalism. “We’re one of the few businesses where men and women are relatively equal,” he noted, emphasising that actors often find themselves in close quarters, which can lead to complications in their personal lives.

A key moment in his relationship with Zeta-Jones was an ultimatum she issued early on. Douglas revealed that when they began dating, Zeta-Jones made her expectations clear. “When I courted Catherine, she told me, ‘If we are doing this, you need to clean your act up.’” He recalled that at the time, he was recently divorced and still involved with several other women. This led to a rather amusing scenario where he had to reach out to break things off with five other women to pursue a more serious relationship with her.

Catherine Zeta-Jones, 57, was straightforward, expressing a desire for exclusivity in their relationship. Douglas recounted her insistence: “She told me she understood that I was a single guy who’d come out of a long marriage, but she would only be monogamous.” He vividly described having to make those calls to his former partners, recalling Zeta-Jones’s astonishment at the number of conversations he needed to have.

The couple tied the knot in 2000 and are parents to two children, Dylan, 26, and Carys, 23. Additionally, Douglas has a son, Cameron, 47, from his previous marriage to Diandra Luker. The actor’s candid revelations about his past relationships reflect a willingness to embrace a more introspective view of his life as well as his romantic history.

In the memoir, Douglas also opens up about his past entanglements with notable co-stars, including Kathleen Turner during the 1984 classic *Romancing the Stone*, and Jeanne Tripplehorn from the 1992 thriller *Basic Instinct*. Both relationships took place during his tumultuous marriage to Luker, which ended in 1995 after nearly 20 years. The actor has made it clear that he approached these memories with care.

Shane Salerno, a co-writer of *One Helluva Ride*, noted that Douglas was particularly protective of the women involved in his stories, often consulting them for permission before sharing his experiences. “I didn’t name anybody for the sake of notches on your holster or something like that. These are people that I’ve had relationships with in my life,” Douglas articulated, indicating a level of respect for those with whom he shared these chapters of his life.

During the chat on The Graham Norton Show, Douglas also addressed why he felt this was the right time to release a memoir. “I’m 82! I thought it was probably time,” he said, reflecting on his family’s legacy, including that of his father, Kirk Douglas, who authored nine books, one being a remarkable autobiography. Douglas described the process of revisiting his past as a joyful journey, unearthing numerous forgotten anecdotes about his extensive career in filmmaking.

Overall, Douglas’s appearance on the show and his memoir are not just a reflection of a storied acting career, but also an insight into the complexities of relationships and personal growth over the decades. Audiences tuning into *The Graham Norton Show* will be able to catch more from Douglas and others every Friday, while episodes are made available for streaming on platforms like AMC+ and Acorn TV.