Michael Douglas, the celebrated actor with a career spanning nearly six decades, has revealed that he may be retiring from acting. Speaking at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival in the Czech Republic, Douglas indicated that he has no plans to return to the screen unless an exceptional project arises, reflecting on the long journey of his profession.
Taking a Deliberate Pause From His Career
At 80 years old, Douglas has chosen to take an extended break, stepping away from acting since 2022. He explained that his decision came after realizing the need to slow down and avoid overexerting himself.
“I’ve had a very busy career… now I have not worked since 2022 purposely because I realised I had to stop. I’d been working pretty hard for almost 60 years and I did not want to be one of those people who dropped dead on the set,”
he said.
Last Roles and Life Beyond Acting
Douglas’s most recent role was the portrayal of US President Benjamin Franklin in the Apple TV+ series Franklin. Since then, he has enjoyed time off and expressed satisfaction in stepping back, with few intentions to resume acting in the near future. He mentioned being content spending time watching his wife, actress Catherine Zeta-Jones, at work.
“But otherwise, I’m quite happy. I just like to watch my wife work,”
he shared.
Iconic Career and Challenges Over the Years
Michael Douglas is renowned for major films such as Romancing the Stone, Fatal Attraction, Wall Street, and Basic Instinct. In more recent years, he appeared as Hank Pym in the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Antman films, maintaining his relevance in modern cinema. His career has not been without hardships; in 2010, he faced a life-threatening diagnosis of stage four throat cancer, undergoing chemotherapy and radiation.
Douglas reflected on the impact the illness could have had, saying surgery
“would have been limiting as an actor”
because it
“would have meant not being able to talk and removing part of my jaw.”
Fortunately, he avoided surgery and continued his work in film.
Future Possibilities and Legacy
Although Douglas has not declared an official retirement, he remains open to acting again if offered “something special.” For now, he seems poised to enjoy his life outside the spotlight while leaving the door open for meaningful roles. His decision marks a thoughtful chapter in a distinguished career, underscoring the physical and emotional demands of acting after decades of dedication.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. How did Michael Douglas get the HPV virus?
A. When asked if he regretted smoking and drinking, which many believe led to his disease, Douglas said no. He explained, “Without going into too much detail, this cancer is caused by HPV, which is contracted through oral contact.”
Q. What is the age difference between Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones?
A. Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas have a 25-year age difference. They first met in 1998 at the Deauville Film Festival. Michael jokingly told Catherine that he was going to be the father of her children.
Q. When did Michael Douglas fall in love with Catherine Zeta-Jones?
A. The star of Fatal Attraction realized Zeta-Jones was special after seeing her in The Mask of Zorro in 1998. His publicist arranged a date for them. Their first meeting didn’t go perfectly, but they later had a child and got married in 2000.
