View source for Michael Douglas

{{Short description|American actor (born 1944)}}
{{About|the American actor born in 1944|other people named Michael Douglas|Michael Douglas (disambiguation)}}
{{pp-semi-indef|small=yes}}
{{Use American English|date=October 2021}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2019}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Michael Douglas
| image = 59th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, Michael Douglas 07 (cropped).jpg
|alt = Douglas at red carpet
| image_size =
| caption = Douglas at the [[59th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival]] in 2025
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1944|9|25}}
| birth_place = [[New Brunswick, New Jersey]], U.S.
| birth_name = Michael Kirk Douglas
| citizenship = {{Unbulleted list|United States|United Kingdom ([[Bermuda]])<ref name="doiapps.gov.bm" />}}
| alma_mater = [[University of California, Santa Barbara]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|B.A.]])
| occupation = {{hlist|Actor|film producer}}
| years_active = 1966–2025
| works = [[Michael Douglas on stage and screen|Full list]]
| net_worth = <!-- Net worth should be supported with a citation from a reliable source -->
| height = <!-- {{height|cm=X}} OR {{height|ft=X|in=Y}} -->
| television =
| spouse = {{unbulleted list|{{marriage|Diandra Luker|1977|1995|end=divorced}}|{{marriage|[[Catherine Zeta-Jones]]|November 18, 2000<!-- DO NOT change or add any unless and until they legally end marriage -->}}}}
| partner = [[Brenda Vaccaro]] (1971–1976)
| children = 3, including [[Cameron Douglas]]
| parents = [[Kirk Douglas]]<br />[[Diana Douglas|Diana Dill]]
| relatives = [[Joel Douglas]] (brother)<br />[[Peter Douglas]] (half-brother)<br />[[Eric Douglas]] (half-brother)<br />[[Anne Buydens]] (stepmother)
| awards = [[List of awards and nominations received by Michael Douglas|Full list]]
| signature =
| signature_size =
| website = <!-- {{URL|example.com}} -->
}}

'''Michael Kirk Douglas''' (born September 25, 1944)<ref>{{cite news|last=Martin|first=Annie|title=Michael Douglas on turning 75: 'Feeling good'|url=https://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/2019/10/10/Michael-Douglas-on-turning-75-Feeling-good/4491570718850/|date=October 10, 2019|access-date=October 1, 2021|work=United Press International|quote=Douglas turned 75 years old Sept. 25|archive-date=February 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220185850/https://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/2019/10/10/Michael-Douglas-on-turning-75-Feeling-good/4491570718850/|url-status=live}}</ref> is an American retired actor and film producer. He has received [[List of awards and nominations received by Michael Douglas|numerous accolades]], including two [[Academy Awards]], five [[Golden Globe Awards]], a [[Primetime Emmy Award]], the [[Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award|Cecil B. DeMille Award]], and the [[AFI Life Achievement Award]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Kilday|first=Gregg|title=AFI Life award all in Douglas family|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=June 15, 2009|pages=9, 14 |url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3i45a4bf33efc17917cf3ca441cd402d4f |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090618030704/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3i45a4bf33efc17917cf3ca441cd402d4f|archive-date=June 18, 2009 |access-date=September 4, 2009}}</ref>

The elder son of [[Kirk Douglas]] and [[Diana Douglas|Diana Dill]], Douglas earned his [[Bachelor of Arts]] in drama from the [[University of California, Santa Barbara]]. He produced ''[[One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (film)|One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest]]'' (1975), having acquired the rights to the [[One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (novel)|novel]] from his father and later earned the [[Academy Award for Best Picture]] as a producer. Douglas won the [[Academy Award for Best Actor]] for his portrayal of [[Gordon Gekko]] in [[Oliver Stone]]'s ''[[Wall Street (1987 film)|Wall Street]]'' (1987), a role which he reprised in the sequel ''[[Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps]]'' (2010). Other notable roles include in ''[[The China Syndrome]]'' (1979), ''[[Romancing the Stone]]'' (1984), ''[[The Jewel of the Nile]]'' (1985), ''[[Fatal Attraction]]'' (1987), ''[[The War of the Roses (film)|The War of the Roses]]'' (1989), ''[[Basic Instinct]]'' (1992), ''[[Falling Down]]'' (1993), ''[[The American President]]'' (1995), ''[[The Game (1997 film)|The Game]]'' (1997), ''[[Traffic (2000 film)|Traffic]]'' (2000), ''[[Wonder Boys (film)|Wonder Boys]]'' (2000), and ''[[Solitary Man (film)|Solitary Man]]'' (2009).

On television, he started his career earning three consecutive [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series|Emmy Award]] nominations for playing a homicide inspector in the [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] [[police procedural]] series ''[[The Streets of San Francisco]]'' (1972–1976). He won the [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie]] for portraying [[Liberace]] in the [[HBO]] film ''[[Behind the Candelabra]]'' (2013), and a [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Television Series Musical or Comedy]] for playing an aging acting coach in the [[Netflix]] comedy series ''[[The Kominsky Method]]'' (2018–2021). He played [[Benjamin Franklin]] in the [[Apple TV+]] miniseries ''[[Franklin (miniseries)|Franklin]]'' (2024). From 2015 to 2023, He portrayed [[Hank Pym (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Hank Pym]] in the [[Marvel Cinematic Universe]]. He announced his  retirement from acting in 2025, citing his age and desire to spend more time with his family as being the deciding factors for him.<ref name = Ross>{{cite news|url = https://variety.com/2025/film/global/michael-douglas-politics-to-make-money-1236447752/|title = Michael Douglas Has ‘No Intention’ of Returning to Acting, Says U.S. Idealism ‘Does Not Exist Now’: ‘People Are Going Into Politics to Make Money’|last = Ross|first = Rafa Sales|date = July 5, 2025|accessdate = July 5, 2025|work = [[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|archive-date = July 9, 2025|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20250709152546/https://variety.com/2025/film/global/michael-douglas-politics-to-make-money-1236447752/|url-status = live}}</ref>

Douglas has received notice for his humanitarian and political activism. He sits on the board of the [[Nuclear Threat Initiative]], is an honorary board member of the anti-war grant-making foundation [[Ploughshares Fund]] and he was appointed as a [[United Nations Messengers of Peace|United Nations Messenger of Peace]] in 1998. He has been married to actress [[Catherine Zeta-Jones]] since 2000.

==Early life and education==
Douglas was born in [[New Brunswick, New Jersey]], the first child of actors [[Kirk Douglas]] (1916–2020) and [[Diana Douglas|Diana Dill]] (1923–2015).<ref>{{cite web|first=Bill|last=Hutchison|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/douglas-reveals-anti-semitic-attack-teen-son-article-1.2150236|title=Michael Douglas reveals anti-Semitic attack on 14-year-old son Dylan in Europe|work=[[New York Daily News]]|date=March 16, 2015|access-date=May 10, 2018|archive-date=May 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210517044257/https://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/douglas-reveals-anti-semitic-attack-teen-son-article-1.2150236|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Richard|last=Barber|url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2016/oct/07/michael-douglas-kirk-was-film-star-first-father-second|title=Michael Douglas: 'Kirk was film star first, father second'|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=October 7, 2016|access-date=May 10, 2018|archive-date=May 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210517044317/https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2016/oct/07/michael-douglas-kirk-was-film-star-first-father-second|url-status=live}}</ref> His parents met at the [[American Academy of Dramatic Arts]].<ref name=guardian.co.uk>{{cite news|last=Brooks|first=Xan|title=Michael Douglas on Liberace, Cannes, cancer and cunnilingus|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/jun/02/michael-douglas-liberace-cancer-cunnilingus|newspaper=The Guardian|date=June 2, 2013|archive-date=March 22, 2022|access-date=December 12, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220322172854/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/jun/02/michael-douglas-liberace-cancer-cunnilingus|url-status=live}}</ref>

His father was [[Jewish]] and was born ''Issur Danielovitch''. Michael's paternal grandparents were emigrants from [[Chavusy]] in the [[Russian Empire]] (present-day [[Belarus]]).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thejc.com/lifestyle/interviews/hollywood-gladiator-kirk-douglas-has-his-eyes-set-on-a-third-barmitzvah-1.36378|title=Hollywood gladiator Kirk Douglas has his eyes set on a third barmitzvah|access-date=May 25, 2018|date=September 20, 2012|last=Paskin|first=Barbra|work=[[The Jewish Chronicle]]|archive-date=March 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200331170526/https://www.thejc.com/lifestyle/interviews/hollywood-gladiator-kirk-douglas-has-his-eyes-set-on-a-third-barmitzvah-1.36378|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Brad|last=Darrach|url=http://people.com/archive/kirk-douglas-vol-30-no-14/|title=Kirk Douglas|work=[[People (magazine)|People]]|date=October 3, 1988|access-date=May 25, 2018|archive-date=May 11, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180511013051/http://people.com/archive/kirk-douglas-vol-30-no-14/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="kdouglas">{{cite news|last=Tugend |first=Tom |title=Lucky number 90 |work=The Jerusalem Post |date=December 12, 2006 |url=http://fr.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1164881875567&pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull |access-date=December 12, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713123853/http://fr.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1164881875567&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull |archive-date=July 13, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Rose Troup|last=Buchanan|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/michael-douglas-accepts-jewish-nobel-prize-despite-not-being-jewish-under-religious-laws-10331037.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220512/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/michael-douglas-accepts-jewish-nobel-prize-despite-not-being-jewish-under-religious-laws-10331037.html |archive-date=May 12, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Michael Douglas accepts 'Jewish Nobel Prize' despite not being Jewish under religious laws|work=[[The Independent]]|date=June 19, 2015|access-date=May 25, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Ben|last=Sales|url=https://www.jta.org/2015/06/17/arts-entertainment/michael-douglas-i-never-felt-accepted-as-a-jew|title=Michael Douglas: I 'never felt accepted' as a Jew|work=JTA – Jewish news|date=June 17, 2015|access-date=May 10, 2018|archive-date=November 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116080314/https://www.jta.org/2015/06/17/arts-entertainment/michael-douglas-i-never-felt-accepted-as-a-jew|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Hadley|last=Freeman|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/feb/12/kirk-douglas-i-never-thought-id-live-to-100-thats-shocked-me|title=Kirk Douglas: 'I never thought I'd live to 100. That's shocked me'|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=February 12, 2017|access-date=May 25, 2018|archive-date=April 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200418211444/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/feb/12/kirk-douglas-i-never-thought-id-live-to-100-thats-shocked-me|url-status=live}}</ref> His mother was from [[Devonshire Parish, Bermuda]], and had English, Irish, Scottish, Welsh, French, Belgian, and Dutch ancestry.<ref>''In the wings: a memoir'', 1999, by Diana Douglas Darrid, p. 17</ref> Douglas's uncle was politician Sir [[Nicholas Bayard Dill]], and Douglas's maternal grandfather, Lieutenant-Colonel [[Thomas Melville Dill]], served as [[Attorney General]] of Bermuda, as a [[Member of Parliament|Member]] of the [[Parliament of Bermuda]] (MCP), and as commanding officer of the [[Bermuda Militia Artillery]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.conovergenealogy.com/Pages/douglas.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120629005823/http://www.conovergenealogy.com/Pages/douglas.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 29, 2012|title=Ancestors of Michael Kirk Douglas|publisher=Conovergenealogy.com|access-date=October 17, 2009}}</ref> Douglas is a US citizen by birth in the United States and has [[Law of Bermuda|Bermudian Status]] from his mother's birth in [[Bermuda]].<ref name= "doiapps.gov.bm">{{cite web| url= https://www.doiapps.gov.bm/statuscheck/StatusResult.aspx?result=yes&NameStr=Michael+K+Douglas%2c+09%2f25%2f1944 |title= Status Check: Michael K. Douglas| quote= Our records indicate that Michael K Douglas, 09/25/1944 has Bermudian status.| website= doiapps.gov.bm| publisher= Department of Immigration, Bermuda| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20150926004851/https://www.doiapps.gov.bm/statuscheck/StatusResult.aspx?result=yes&NameStr=Michael+K+Douglas%2c+09%2f25%2f1944 |archivedate=September 26, 2015 }}</ref> 
{{Kirk Douglas family tree}}
His great-grandfather, Thomas Newbold Dill (1837–1910), was a merchant, an MCP for Devonshire Parish from 1868 to 1888, a member of the legislative council and an assistant justice from 1888, mayor of the [[Hamilton, Bermuda|City of Hamilton]] from 1891 to 1897, served on numerous committees and boards, and was a member of the Devonshire Church (Church of England) and Devonshire Parish vestries. Thomas Newbold Dill's father, another Thomas Melville Dill, was a sea captain who took the Bermudian-built barque ''Sir George F. Seymour'' from Bermuda to Ireland in thirteen days in March 1858, but lost his master's certificate after the wreck of the Bermudian-built ''Cedrine'' on the [[Isle of Wight]] while returning the last convict laborers from the [[Royal Naval Dockyard, Bermuda|Royal Naval Dockyard]] in Bermuda to Britain in 1863.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.bnt.bm/BNTonline_store/trust_publications.htm |title=''Bermuda's Architectural Heritage: Hamilton Parish'', Author: Diana Chudleigh, Editor: David L. White. Published by: The Bermuda National Trust, 2002 |access-date=December 30, 2016 |archive-date=August 15, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110815120233/http://www.bnt.bm/BNTonline_store/trust_publications.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> The current (installed on 29 May 2013) [[Bishop of Bermuda]], the Right Reverend Nicholas Dill, is a cousin of Michael Douglas.<ref name="bermudasun.bm">{{Cite web|url=http://www.bermudasun.bm/Content/News/Latest-News/Photo_Gallery/Bishop-Nicholas-Dill-s-Consecration--May-2013/3/1297/617|title='' Nicholas Dill becomes youngest Bishop of Bermuda'', The Bermuda Sun|accessdate=July 10, 2024|archive-date=October 21, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141021231606/http://www.bermudasun.bm/Content/News/Latest-News/Photo_Gallery/Bishop-Nicholas-Dill-s-Consecration--May-2013/3/1297/617|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="anglicancommunion.org">{{cite web | title=Movie stars congratulate new Bermuda bishop | website=Anglican Communion News Service | date=2025-09-26 | url=https://www.anglicannews.org/news/2013/05/movie-stars-congratulate-new-bermuda-bishop.aspx | access-date=2025-09-26}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.anglicannews.org/news/2013/05/movie-stars-congratulate-new-bermuda-bishop.aspx|title=Movie stars congratulate new Bermuda bishop|accessdate=July 10, 2024|archive-date=September 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240924045446/https://www.anglicannews.org/news/2013/05/movie-stars-congratulate-new-bermuda-bishop.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref>

Douglas has a younger brother, [[Joel Douglas]] (born 1947), and two paternal half-brothers, [[Peter Douglas]] (born 1955) and [[Eric Douglas]] (1958–2004), from stepmother [[Anne Buydens]].

Douglas attended [[Allen-Stevenson School|The Allen-Stevenson School]] in [[New York City]], [[Eaglebrook School]] in [[Deerfield, Massachusetts]], and [[Choate Rosemary Hall|The Choate Preparatory School]] (now Choate Rosemary Hall) in [[Wallingford, Connecticut]]. He received his [[Bachelor of Arts|B.A.]] in dramatic art from the [[University of California, Santa Barbara]] in 1968,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.news.ucsb.edu/2004/011812/michael-douglas-donates-1-million-uc-santa-barbara |title=Michael Douglas Donates $1 Million to UC Santa Barbara |last=Conrad |first=Eileen |date=February 2, 2004 |website=news.ucsb.edu |accessdate=May 10, 2022}}</ref> where he was also the honorary president of the UCSB [[Alumni association|Alumni Association]]. He studied acting with [[Wynn Handman]] at [[The American Place Theatre]] in New York City.<ref name=Edelman/><ref name="douglasbiobyparker">{{cite book |last1=Parker |first1=John |title=Michael Douglas: Acting on Instinct |date=2011 |publisher=Headline (Hachette Book Group) |isbn=9780755362868 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=o541AgAAQBAJ |access-date=1 December 2019}}</ref>

==Career==
===1969–1979: Early years===
[[File:Tisha Sterling Michael Douglas 1969.JPG|thumb|Douglas with [[Tisha Sterling]] in the ''[[CBS Playhouse]]'' production ''[[The Experiment (CBS Playhouse)|The Experiment]]'' in 1969, Douglas's first television role<ref>TV.com: [http://www.tv.com/shows/cbs-playhouse/the-experiment-237730/ ''CBS Playhouse'': ''The Experiment''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160330090129/http://www.tv.com/shows/cbs-playhouse/the-experiment-237730/ |date=March 30, 2016 }}</ref>]]
Douglas started his film career in the late 1960s and early 1970s, appearing in little known films such as ''[[Hail, Hero!]]'', ''[[Adam at 6 A.M.]]'', and ''[[Summertree]]''. His performance in ''Hail, Hero!'' earned him a nomination for the Golden Globe Award for Most Promising Male Newcomer.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Mulkerrins |first1=Jane|title=Golden Globes 2014: Over-60s steal the show when it comes to TV |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/golden-globes/10567622/Golden-Globes-2014-Over-60s-steal-the-show-when-it-comes-to-TV.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/golden-globes/10567622/Golden-Globes-2014-Over-60s-steal-the-show-when-it-comes-to-TV.html |archive-date=January 10, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=August 17, 2015|work=The Daily Telegraph|location=London |date=January 13, 2014}}{{cbignore}}</ref> On November 24, 1969, Douglas formed his first independent film production company, Bigstick Productions, Limited.<ref>{{Cite web|title=BIGSTICK PRODUCTIONS, LTD. :: New York (US) :: OpenCorporates|url=https://opencorporates.com/companies/us_ny/285211|access-date=2021-06-20|website=opencorporates.com|archive-date=June 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624201902/https://opencorporates.com/companies/us_ny/285211|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=The Salina Journal from Salina, Kansas on December 19, 1969 · Page 5|url=http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/44031318/|access-date=2021-06-15|website=Newspapers.com|date=December 19, 1969|language=en|archive-date=June 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210628214947/https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/44031318/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|date=December 17, 1969 |title=Look, Pa, I'm A Corp: Actor-Son's Bigstick|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|page=6}}</ref>

His first TV breakthrough role came with a 1969 ''[[CBS Playhouse]]'' special, ''[[The Experiment (CBS Playhouse)|The Experiment]]''—and it was the only time he was billed as "M.K. Douglas".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mrpopculture.com/thereport/movie-pop-culture-trivia-michael-douglas-mrpopculture/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130929200257/http://www.mrpopculture.com/thereport/movie-pop-culture-trivia-michael-douglas-mrpopculture/|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 29, 2013|title=Movie Pop Culture Trivia – When Actor Michael Douglas Could Not Use His First Name|work=The Pop Culture Report|access-date=December 6, 2014}}</ref> His first significant role came in the [[Television series|TV series]] ''[[The Streets of San Francisco]]'' from 1972 to 1976, in which he starred alongside [[Karl Malden]]. Douglas later said that Malden became a "mentor" and someone he "admired and loved deeply".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-jul-02-me-karl-malden2-story.html|title=Oscar-winning actor Karl Malden dies at 97|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=July 2, 2009|access-date=September 15, 2010|first=Dennis|last=McLellan|archive-date=November 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201126014628/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-jul-02-me-karl-malden2-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> After Douglas left the show, he had a long association with his mentor until Malden's death on July 1, 2009. In 2004, Douglas presented Malden with the Monte Cristo Award of the [[Eugene O'Neill Theater Center]] in [[Waterford, Connecticut]] for the [[Lifetime Achievement Award]].

In late 1971, Douglas received from his father, Kirk, the rights to the novel ''[[One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (novel)|One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest]]'', which had been purchased by [[Bryna Productions]] in February 1962.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|title=The Eugene Guard from Eugene, Oregon on February 11, 1962 · Page 6|url=http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/154106073/|access-date=2021-05-29|website=Newspapers.com|date=February 11, 1962|language=en|archive-date=July 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709182246/https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/154106073/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=The Charlotte News from Charlotte, North Carolina on February 2, 1972 · 5|url=http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/621995314/|access-date=2021-06-15|website=Newspapers.com|date=February 2, 1972|language=en|archive-date=June 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210628142722/https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/621995314/|url-status=live}}</ref> Michael went on to produce the [[One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (film)|film of the same name]] with [[Saul Zaentz]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.filmsite.org/onef.html|title=One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest|publisher=Filmsite.org|access-date=September 15, 2010|archive-date=January 21, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120121034538/http://www.filmsite.org/onef.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Kirk hoped to portray [[Randle McMurphy]] himself, having starred in an earlier stage version, but the director, [[Miloš Forman]], went with [[Jack Nicholson]], who won the [[Academy Award for Best Actor]]. Douglas won the [[Academy Award for Best Picture]] for producing the film.<ref>{{cite web|title=The 48th Academy Awards&nbsp;– 1976|date=October 4, 2014|url=https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1976|publisher=[[Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences]]|access-date=August 17, 2015|archive-date=July 1, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190701234129/https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1976|url-status=live}}</ref> In December 1976, Michael and his brother Peter became head of their father's film production company, The Bryna Company, though Michael would depart by 1978 to focus exclusively on producing through his own Bigstick Productions.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Raleigh Register from Beckley, West Virginia on December 6, 1976 · Page 8|url=http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/48056382/|access-date=2021-06-19|website=Newspapers.com|date=December 6, 1976 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Republican and Herald from Pottsville, Pennsylvania on April 14, 1978 · 12|url=http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/448552193/|access-date=2021-06-15|website=Newspapers.com|date=April 14, 1978|language=en|archive-date=June 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210629083923/https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/448552193/|url-status=live}}</ref>

After leaving ''The Streets of San Francisco'' in 1976, Douglas played a hospital doctor in the medical thriller ''[[Coma (1978 film)|Coma]]'' (1978), and in 1979 he played the role of a troubled marathon runner in ''[[Running (film)|Running]]''. In 1979, he both produced and starred in ''[[The China Syndrome]]'', a dramatic film co-starring [[Jane Fonda]] and [[Jack Lemmon]] about a nuclear power plant accident (the [[Three Mile Island accident]] took place 12 days after the film's release). The film was considered "one of the most intelligent Hollywood films of the 1970s".<ref name=Edelman/> In June 1979, Douglas appointed Jack Brodsky as executive vice-president of Bigstick Productions.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Boxoffice-June.04.1979|url=https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/read/31956683/boxoffice-june041979|access-date=2021-06-20|website=yumpu.com|language=en}}</ref>

===1980–2000: Success in Hollywood===
[[File:Michael Douglas - Streets.JPG|thumb|Douglas in ''[[The Streets of San Francisco]]'', {{Circa|1975}}]]
Douglas's acting career was propelled to fame when he produced and starred in the 1984 romantic adventure comedy ''[[Romancing the Stone]]''. It also reintroduced Douglas as a capable leading man, giving director [[Robert Zemeckis]] his first box-office success. The film also starred [[Kathleen Turner]] and [[Danny DeVito]], a friend of Douglas's with whom he had shared an apartment in the 1960s.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120609052707/http://articles.nydailynews.com/2008-10-30/gossip/17907312_1_danny-devito-magical-time-michael-douglas NY Daily News] Michael Douglas, Danny DeVito remember old times at film awards</ref> It was followed a year later by a sequel, ''[[The Jewel of the Nile]]'', which he also produced. Bigstick Productions was then partnered with Mercury Entertainment, a company backed by producer [[Michael Phillips (producer)|Michael Phillips]] in 1986 to produce independently financed features.<ref>{{Cite news|date=1986-06-11|title=Mercury, Douglas Team|page=6|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref> In the 1980s, Douglas formed a new film production company, The Stone Group (later renamed Stonebridge Entertainment) with partner Rick Bieber.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The York Dispatch from York, Pennsylvania on October 27, 1988 · 35|url=http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/614068764/|access-date=2021-06-20|website=Newspapers.com|date=October 27, 1988|language=en|archive-date=June 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210628164949/https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/614068764/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=1992-04-08|title=Fox Broadcasting, the Fox studio's television network,...|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-04-08-fi-477-story.html|access-date=2021-06-20|website=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US}}</ref>

In 1987, Douglas starred in the thriller ''[[Fatal Attraction]]'' with [[Glenn Close]]. That same year he played tycoon [[Gordon Gekko]] in [[Oliver Stone]]'s ''[[Wall Street (1987 film)|Wall Street]]'' for which he received an Academy Award as Best Actor. He reprised his role as Gekko in the sequel ''[[Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps]]'' in 2010, also directed by Stone.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://movies.tvguide.com/Movie-News/Michael-Douglas-Wall-1005553.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090502211930/http://movies.tvguide.com/Movie-News/Michael-Douglas-Wall-1005553.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 2, 2009 |title=Michael Douglas to Star in Wall Street 2 |magazine=TV Guide |access-date=April 29, 2009 }}</ref>

Douglas starred in the 1989 film ''[[The War of the Roses (film)|The War of the Roses]]'', which also starred Turner and DeVito.<ref>{{cite web|title=''THE WAR OF THE ROSES'' (15)|url=https://bbfc.co.uk/releases/war-roses-1970-3|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150113014147/http://www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/war-roses-1970-3|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 13, 2015|work=[[British Board of Film Classification]]|date=January 4, 1990|access-date=May 31, 2013}}</ref> In 1989 he starred in [[Ridley Scott]]'s international police crime drama ''[[Black Rain (1989 American film)|Black Rain]]'' opposite [[Andy García]] and [[Kate Capshaw]]; the film was shot in [[Osaka]], Japan.

In 1992, Douglas founded the short-lived [[Atlantic Records]] distributed label Third Stone Records.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Texeira|first1=Erin|title=Rapper, 2 Others Are Found Slain|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-01-27-me-29279-story.html|website=Los Angeles Times|date=January 27, 1996|access-date=February 12, 2017|archive-date=November 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201126015806/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-01-27-me-29279-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He founded the label with record producer [[Richard Rudolph]], who became the company's president and CEO.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2REEAAAAMBAJ&dq=michael+douglas+third+stone+records&pg=PA12|title=Billboard|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=October 24, 1992|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc.|accessdate=July 10, 2024|via=Google Books}}</ref> Among the acts signed to Third Stone were [[Saigon Kick]] and [[Nona Gaye]].<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Nona Gaye – She's Overjoyed |magazine=Billboard |publisher=Howard Lander |publication-date=24 October 1992 |volume=104 |issue=43 |page=12 |issn=0006-2510 }}</ref>

That same year, Douglas had another successful starring role when he appeared alongside [[Sharon Stone]] in the film ''[[Basic Instinct]]''. The movie was a box office hit and sparked controversy over its depictions of [[bisexuality]] and [[lesbian|lesbian people]]. In March 1994, Douglas announced that he had formed a new film production company, Douglas/Reuther Productions, in partnership with [[Steven Reuther]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Los Angeles Times from Los Angeles, California on March 25, 1994 · Page 52|url=http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/158612268/|access-date=2021-06-20|website=Newspapers.com|date=March 25, 1994|language=en|archive-date=June 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210630054259/https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/158612268/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1994 Douglas and [[Demi Moore]] starred in the hit movie ''[[Disclosure (1994 film)|Disclosure]]'' focusing on the topic of [[sexual harassment]] with Douglas playing a man harassed by his new female boss. Other popular films he starred in during the decade were ''[[Falling Down]]'', ''[[The American President]]'', ''[[The Ghost and the Darkness]]'', ''[[The Game (1997 film)|The Game]]'' (directed by [[David Fincher]]), and a remake of [[Alfred Hitchcock]]'s classic – ''[[Dial M for Murder]]'' – titled ''[[A Perfect Murder]]''. In 1998 Douglas received the [[Crystal Globe (Karlovy Vary International Film Festival)|Crystal Globe]] award for outstanding artistic contribution to world cinema at the [[Karlovy Vary International Film Festival]].<ref>{{cite web|title=33rd Karlovy Vary IFF Awards |access-date=September 25, 2006 |url=http://www.iffkv.cz/?m=32&sub=2&year=1998 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060903193107/http://www.iffkv.cz/?m=32 |archive-date=September 3, 2006 }}</ref> On November 19, 1997, Douglas formed his fourth film production company, [[Further Films]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=FURTHUR FILMS, INC. :: New York (US) :: OpenCorporates|url=https://opencorporates.com/companies/us_ny/2200458|access-date=2021-06-20|website=opencorporates.com|archive-date=June 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624203335/https://opencorporates.com/companies/us_ny/2200458|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=The Atlanta Constitution from Atlanta, Georgia on May 10, 1999 · 20|url=http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/403252621/|access-date=2021-06-20|website=Newspapers.com|date=May 10, 1999|language=en|archive-date=June 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210628220645/https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/403252621/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2000, Douglas starred in [[Steven Soderbergh]]'s critically acclaimed film ''[[Traffic (2000 film)|Traffic]]'', opposite [[Benicio del Toro]] and future wife, [[Catherine Zeta-Jones]]. Douglas and the cast of ''Traffic'' were awarded a [[Screen Actors Guild Award]] for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Davis|first1=Clayton|last2=Buckner|first2=Michael|title=Every SAG Cast Ensemble Film Winner (Since 1994)|url=https://variety.com/lists/every-sag-awards-cast-ensemble-film-winner/|website=Variety|date=April 5, 2023|access-date=March 29, 2024|archive-date=March 13, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240313144554/https://variety.com/lists/every-sag-awards-cast-ensemble-film-winner/|url-status=live}}</ref> That same year he also received critical acclaim for his role in ''[[Wonder Boys (film)|Wonder Boys]]'', as a professor and novelist suffering from [[writer's block]]. He was nominated for a [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama|Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Drama]] and the [[BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role]].

===2001–2012: Established actor===
[[File:Michael Douglas Navy3.jpg|thumb|Douglas in June 2004]]
Douglas starred in ''[[Don't Say a Word]]'' (2001), filmed shortly before his marriage to Zeta-Jones. In 2003, he starred in ''[[It Runs in the Family (2003 film)|It Runs in the Family]]'', which featured three generations of his family (his parents, Kirk and Diana, as well as his son, [[Cameron Douglas|Cameron]]). Although a labor of love, the film was not successful, critically or at the box office. Also in 2003, Douglas starred in ''[[The In-Laws (2003 film)|The In-Laws]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wilmington |first=Michael |date=23 May 2003 |title=As a spotty remake, 'In-Laws' has multiple flaws |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2003-05-23-0305230081-story.html |website=Chicago Tribune |access-date=March 29, 2024 |archive-date=February 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230223142437/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2003-05-23-0305230081-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Schwarzbaum|first=Lisa|title=The In-Laws|url=https://ew.com/article/2003/05/30/laws-2/|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|language=en|access-date=April 16, 2024|archive-date=November 30, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241130065303/https://ew.com/article/2003/05/30/laws-2/|url-status=live}}</ref> Douglas was awarded the [[Cecil B. DeMille Award]] at the [[Golden Globes]] in 2004. Michael and Kirk Douglas are the only father and son pair to have both been awarded this recognition.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Crook |first=John |date=24 January 2004 |title=Douglas relishes family aspect of the Cecil B. DeMille Award |url=https://www.gainesville.com/story/news/2004/01/25/douglas-relishes-family-aspect-of-the-cecil-b-demille-award/31656199007/ |website=The Gainesville Sun |access-date=March 29, 2024 |archive-date=March 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240313142924/https://www.gainesville.com/story/news/2004/01/25/douglas-relishes-family-aspect-of-the-cecil-b-demille-award/31656199007/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Saroyan |first=Strawberry |date=8 January 2004 |title=Cecil B. DeMille Award-Michael Douglas |url=https://variety.com/2004/film/awards/cecil-b-demille-award-michael-douglas-1117898092/ |website=Variety |access-date=March 29, 2024 |archive-date=March 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240313142927/https://variety.com/2004/film/awards/cecil-b-demille-award-michael-douglas-1117898092/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He then starred in and produced the action-thriller ''[[The Sentinel (2006 film)|The Sentinel]]'' in 2006.<ref>{{Cite news |date=April 21, 2006 |title=Michael Douglas as a Secret Service Agent in 'The Sentinel' |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/21/movies/21sent.html?_r=0 |work=The New York Times}}</ref> During that time, he also guest starred on the episode "[[Fagel Attraction]]" of the television [[situation comedy|sitcom]] ''[[Will & Grace]]'' as a gay cop attracted to [[Will Truman]] ([[Eric McCormack]]); the performance earned Douglas an [[Emmy Awards|Emmy Award]] nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Show. Douglas was also the voice of founding father [[Benjamin Franklin]] in ''Freedom: A History of US'', the [[Public Broadcasting Station|PBS]] television adaptation of [[Joy Hakim]]'s 10-volume book [[A History of US]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Boyle |first=Kelli |date=28 February 2022 |title=Michael Douglas to Play Benjamin Franklin |url=https://www.tvinsider.com/1034231/michael-douglas-benjamin-franklin-apple-tv-plus-john-adams-creator/ |website=TV Insider |quote=...[The] star previously voiced Franklin in Freedom:A History of US on PBS in 2003 |access-date=March 29, 2024 |archive-date=March 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240313142923/https://www.tvinsider.com/1034231/michael-douglas-benjamin-franklin-apple-tv-plus-john-adams-creator/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Douglas was approached for ''[[Basic Instinct 2]]'', but declined to participate in the project.<ref>{{Cite journal |title=In conversation with Michael Douglas |journal=Empire |issue=August 2006}}</ref> In 2006, Douglas was Mr. Thompson in ''[[You, Me, and Dupree]].''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tvguide.com/movies/you-me-and-dupree/cast/2000042082/|title=You, Me and Dupree|website=TVGuide.com|accessdate=July 10, 2024|archive-date=March 13, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240313143300/https://www.tvguide.com/movies/you-me-and-dupree/cast/2000042082/|url-status=live}}</ref> The following year, Douglas played Charlie in ''[[King of California]].''<ref>{{Cite news|last=Holden|first=Stephen|title=A Determined Bipolar Dad in Search of Buried Treasure|work=The New York Times|date=September 14, 2007|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/14/movies/14king.html|archive-date=July 16, 2024|access-date=April 16, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240716063923/https://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/14/movies/14king.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In December 2007, Douglas began announcing the introduction to ''[[NBC Nightly News]]''. [[Howard Reig]], the previous announcer, had retired two years earlier.<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 19, 2007 |title=Michael Douglas Does the News |url=http://www.zap2it.com/tv/news/zap-michaeldouglasnbcnewsvoiceover,0,5417160.story?coll=zap-tv-headlines |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071221033018/http://www.zap2it.com/tv/news/zap-michaeldouglasnbcnewsvoiceover%2C0%2C5417160.story?coll=zap-tv-headlines |archive-date=December 21, 2007 |work=Zap2it}}</ref> That same year, Douglas received the Career Achievement Award from the [[National Board of Review]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Buckley|first=Cara|title=The National Board of Review Award Winners for 2007|url=https://archive.nytimes.com/carpetbagger.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/12/05/the-national-board-of-review-award-winners-for-2007/|website=New York Times|date=5 December 2007|access-date=April 16, 2024|archive-date=April 26, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250426223910/https://archive.nytimes.com/carpetbagger.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/12/05/the-national-board-of-review-award-winners-for-2007/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=National Board of Review Awards|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/national-board-of-review-awards/|date=16 January 2008|website=CBS news|access-date=April 16, 2024|archive-date=November 30, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241130071411/https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/national-board-of-review-awards/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In the late 2000s, Douglas starred in ''[[Ghosts of Girlfriends Past]]'' (2009),<ref>{{cite web|last=Ebert|first=Roger|title=A serial swordsman duels with destiny|url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/ghosts-of-girlfriends-past-2009|date=29 April 2009|access-date=April 16, 2024|archive-date=May 13, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240513150737/https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/ghosts-of-girlfriends-past-2009|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[Beyond a Reasonable Doubt (2009 film)|Beyond a Reasonable Doubt]]'',<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Travers|first=Peter|title=Beyond a Reasonable Doubt|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-reviews/beyond-a-reasonable-doubt-248879/|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=September 10, 2009 }}</ref> and ''[[Solitary Man (film)|Solitary Man]]''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Scott|first=A.O.|title=Yes, He's a Jerk, but There's Something About Ben|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/21/movies/21solitary.html|date=20 May 2010|website=The New York Times|access-date=April 16, 2024|archive-date=March 17, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250317213512/https://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/21/movies/21solitary.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2009, he was honored with the [[American Film Institute]]'s Lifetime Achievement Award<ref>{{cite web|last=Kilday|first=Gregg|title=Michael Douglas receives AFI Award|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/michael-douglas-receives-afi-award-85342/|date=12 June 2009|website=The Hollywood Reporter}}</ref> and the [[David O. Selznick Achievement Award in Theatrical Motion Pictures]] from the Producers Guild of America.<ref>{{cite web|title=Michael Douglas honored by movie producers|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna27097912|date=9 October 2008|website=NBC News|access-date=April 16, 2024|archive-date=November 30, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241130064928/https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna27097912|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2011, Douglas voiced Waylon on [[Disney Channel]]'s cartoon ''[[Phineas and Ferb]]''<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Michael J. Fox and Michael Douglas Joine Phineas and Ferb |magazine=Wired |url=https://www.wired.com/2011/10/tonight-michael-j-fox-and-michael-douglas-join-phineas-and-ferbs-halloween-episode/ |last1=Blum |first1=Matt |access-date=April 16, 2024 |archive-date=November 30, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241130064709/https://www.wired.com/2011/10/tonight-michael-j-fox-and-michael-douglas-join-phineas-and-ferbs-halloween-episode/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and starred in the dramatic thriller ''[[Haywire (2011 film)|Haywire]].''<ref>{{cite web|last=McCarthy|first=Todd|title=Haywire:Film Review|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/haywire-film-review-258306/|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=November 7, 2011 }}</ref> He was also honored that year by the French Minister of Culture with the [[Ordre des Arts et des Lettres]] with the rank of Commandeur.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.culture.gouv.fr/Nous-connaitre/Decouvrir-le-ministere/histoire-du-ministere/ressources-documentaires/Discours-de-ministres/Discours-de-ministres-depuis-1998/Frederic-Mitterrand-2009-2012/Communiques-2009-2012/Frederic-Mitterrand-annonce-la-nomination-de-265-personnalites-etrangeres-au-titre-de-la-promotion-Arts-et-Lettres-du-printemps-2011-soit-22-comma|title=Frédéric Mitterrand annonce la nomination de 265 personnalités étrangères au titre de la promotion Arts et Lettres du printemps 2011, soit 22 comma...|website=www.culture.gouv.fr|accessdate=July 10, 2024|archive-date=December 8, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191208064032/http://www.culturecommunication.gouv.fr/Nous-connaitre/Decouvrir-le-ministere/Histoire-du-ministere/Ressources-documentaires/Discours/Discours-de-ministres-depuis-1999/Frederic-Mitterrand-2009-2012/Communiques-2009-2012/Frederic-Mitterrand-annonce-la-nomination-de-265-personnalites-etrangeres-au-titre-de-la-promotion-Arts-et-Lettres-du-printemps-2011-soit-22-commandeurs-48-officiers-et-195-chevaliers.|url-status=live}}</ref>
In 2012, Douglas was honored with the Monte Cristo Award for Lifetime Achievement from the [[Eugene O'Neill]] Theater Center for his "monumental achievements and contributions to the American and international theater community."<ref>{{cite web|last=Hetrick|first=Adam|title=Michael Douglas Honored with Monte Cristo Award April 16|url=https://v.playbill.com/article/michael-douglas-honored-with-monte-cristo-award-april-16-com-192586|date=16 April 2012|website=Playbill|access-date=April 16, 2024|archive-date=September 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240924122624/https://v.playbill.com/article/michael-douglas-honored-with-monte-cristo-award-april-16-com-192586|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Ng|first=Philiana|title=Michael Douglas to Receive Eugene O'Neil's Monte Cristo Award|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/michael-douglas-monte-cristo-award-273728/|date=14 December 2011|website=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=April 16, 2024|archive-date=September 13, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240913181201/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/michael-douglas-monte-cristo-award-273728/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===2013–2025: Resurgence, expansion, and semi-retirement===
Douglas collaborated with Soderbergh again on the 2013 film ''[[Behind the Candelabra]]'', playing [[Liberace]], opposite [[Matt Damon]] as Scott Thorson. The film dramatizes the last 10 years of the pianist's life and the relationship he had with Thorson.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mikelbank |first=Peter |date=September 15, 2009 |title=Michael Douglas To Play Liberace |url=https://people.com/tag/michael-douglas/ |access-date=September 15, 2009 |website=[[People (magazine)|People]] |archive-date=November 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161104224456/http://people.com/tag/michael-douglas/ |url-status=live }}</ref> His portrayal of Liberace received critical acclaim, which resulted in him receiving the [[Primetime Emmy Award|Emmy Award]] for [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie|Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie]] at the [[65th Primetime Emmy Awards]]. He also won SAG and Golden Globe Awards for the performance.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Finn |first=Natalie |date=January 18, 2014 |title=Michael Douglas Gets in a Few Last Double Entendres Accepting "Bittersweet" SAG Award Win |url=http://www.eonline.com/news/501231/michael-douglas-gets-in-a-few-last-double-entendres-accepting-bittersweet-sag-award-win |access-date=January 27, 2015 |work=E Online |archive-date=June 8, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150608041804/http://www.eonline.com/news/501231/michael-douglas-gets-in-a-few-last-double-entendres-accepting-bittersweet-sag-award-win |url-status=live }}</ref> Also that year, he starred in ''[[Last Vegas]],'' a comedy also starring [[Robert De Niro]], [[Morgan Freeman]], and [[Kevin Kline]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Oldenburg|first=Ann|title=Michael Douglas, Robert De Niro, Morgan Freeman and Kevin Kline bond in Last Vegas|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/weekend/entertainment/2013/10/25/what-happens-in-vegas-stays-in-vegas/3179445/|date=26 October 2013|website=USA Today|access-date=April 16, 2024|archive-date=September 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240924122623/https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/weekend/entertainment/2013/10/25/what-happens-in-vegas-stays-in-vegas/3179445/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2014, Douglas starred alongside [[Diane Keaton]] in the romantic comedy, ''[[And So It Goes (film)|And So It Goes]]''<ref>{{cite web|last=Hoffman|first=Jordan|title=And So It Goes:embarrassing for everyone|url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2014/jul/24/and-so-it-goes-reiner-keaton-douglas-review|date=24 July 2014|website=The Guardian}}</ref> and he produced and starred in ''[[Beyond the Reach]]''.<ref>{{cite web|last=McMillan|first=Graeme|title=Beyond the Reach Trailer Shows the Dark Side of Michael Douglas|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/beyond-reach-trailer-shows-dark-770592/|date=5 February 2015|website=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=April 16, 2024|archive-date=September 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240924122623/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/beyond-reach-trailer-shows-dark-770592/|url-status=live}}</ref>

He played [[Hank Pym]], the [[Marvel Comics]] superhero, in the films ''[[Ant-Man (film)|Ant-Man]]'' (2015), ''[[Ant-Man and the Wasp]]'' (2018), ''[[Avengers: Endgame]]'' (2019), and ''[[Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania]]'' (2023).<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 23, 2014 |title=Michael Douglas to Play Hank Pym in Marvel's Ant-Man |url=https://variety.com/2014/film/news/michael-douglas-ant-man-1201052848/ |access-date=January 13, 2014 |work=Variety |archive-date=January 13, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140113165127/http://variety.com/2013/film/news/paul-rudd-marvel-ant-man-1200756440/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2016, Douglas received his second [[Honorary Cesar|Cesar d'Honneur]] for Career Achievement from the French Cesar Awards; the first was in 1998.<ref>{{cite web|title=Honorary Cesar:In 1998, Michael Douglas thanked the public in French|url=https://www.premiere.fr/Cinema/Cesar-d-honneur-En-1998-Michael-Douglas-remerciait-le-public-en-francais|date=27 January 2016|website=Premier|access-date=April 16, 2024|archive-date=April 15, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240415090101/https://www.premiere.fr/Cinema/Cesar-d-honneur-En-1998-Michael-Douglas-remerciait-le-public-en-francais|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Soghomonian|first=Talia|title=2016 Cesar Awards Honor Michael Douglas|url=https://collider.com/michael-douglas-mustang-2016-cesar-awards/|date=27 February 2016|website=Collider|access-date=April 16, 2024|archive-date=November 30, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241130063724/https://collider.com/michael-douglas-mustang-2016-cesar-awards/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2017, Douglas starred in the action thriller ''[[Unlocked (2017 film)|Unlocked]]''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Lodge|first=Guy|title=Unlocked Film Review|url=https://variety.com/2017/film/reviews/unlocked-review-noomi-rapace-1202409135/|date=5 May 2017|website=Variety|access-date=April 16, 2024|archive-date=October 16, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231016064019/https://variety.com/2017/film/reviews/unlocked-review-noomi-rapace-1202409135/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2018, he starred with [[Alan Arkin]] in ''[[The Kominsky Method]]'', playing Sandy Kominsky, an aging acting coach. He received a Golden Globe Award for his performance.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 6, 2019 |title=Golden Globe Awards: Michael Douglas, 'Marvelous Mrs. Maisel' among local nominees |url=https://eu.lohud.com/story/entertainment/events/suburbarazzi/2018/12/06/golden-globes-2019-westchester-rockland-names-among-nominees/2224473002/ |access-date=December 8, 2018 |website=Suburbarazzi |archive-date=November 30, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241130064849/https://eu.lohud.com/story/entertainment/events/suburbarazzi/2018/12/06/golden-globes-2019-westchester-rockland-names-among-nominees/2224473002/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The same year, he starred in a [[Chinese film]], ''[[Animal World (film)|Animal World]]'', based on the Japanese [[manga]] series ''[[Kaiji (manga)|Kaiji]]''.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Brzeski |first=Patrick |date=May 10, 2018 |title=Cannes: CMC Takes Michael Douglas Chinese Film 'Animal World' |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/cannes-cmc-takes-michael-douglas-clown-movie-animal-world-1110782 |access-date=23 May 2020 |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |archive-date=October 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026045230/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/cannes-cmc-takes-michael-douglas-clown-movie-animal-world-1110782 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2018, Douglas received a star on the [[Hollywood Walk of Fame]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Michael Douglas chokes up while celebrating Hollywood Walk of Fame star|url=https://www.usatoday.com/picture-gallery/life/people/2018/11/07/michael-douglas-hollywood-walk-fame-star/1909940002/|date=6 November 2018|website=USA Today|access-date=April 16, 2024|archive-date=September 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240924130836/https://www.usatoday.com/picture-gallery/life/people/2018/11/07/michael-douglas-hollywood-walk-fame-star/1909940002/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Starting in 2019, Douglas voiced the character Guy-I-Am in the Netflix animated series ''[[Green Eggs and Ham (TV series)|Green Eggs and Ham]]''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Flores|first=Terry|title=How Netflix's Green Eggs and Ham Expands the World of the Dr. Seuss Classic|url=https://variety.com/2019/artisans/production/dr-seuss-green-eggs-and-ham-netflix-1203387748/|date=1 November 2019|website=Variety|access-date=April 16, 2024|archive-date=July 16, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240716181645/https://variety.com/2019/artisans/production/dr-seuss-green-eggs-and-ham-netflix-1203387748/|url-status=live}}</ref>
In 2023, Douglas reprised the role of Hank Pym, voicing the character in the animated series ''[[What If...? (TV series)|What If...?]]'' (2021–2023).<ref>{{cite web|last1=Lewis|first1=George|last2=Sandwell|first2=Ian|title=Michael Douglas explains why things got easier after his first Ant-Man movie|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a42978613/michael-douglas-ant-man-quantumania/|date=20 February 2023|website=DigitalSpy|access-date=April 16, 2024|archive-date=September 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240924130836/https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a42978613/michael-douglas-ant-man-quantumania/|url-status=live}}</ref>
In May 2023, Douglas was honored with an Honorary [[Palme d'Or]] for Lifetime Achievement at the Cannes Film Festival<ref>{{cite web|last=Roxborough|first=Scott|title=Cannes:Michael Douglas to Receive Honorary Palme d'Or|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/cannes-2023-michael-douglas-honor-palme-dor-1235478787/|date=3 May 2023|website=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=April 16, 2024|archive-date=May 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230503112652/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/cannes-2023-michael-douglas-honor-palme-dor-1235478787/|url-status=live}}</ref> and the [[IFFI - Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement Award|Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement Award]] at the [[54th International Film Festival of India]] in November 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 20, 2023 |title=54th IFFI: Hollywood star Michael Douglas to get Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement Award |url=https://www.cnbctv18.com/entertainment/54th-iffi-hollywood-star-michael-douglas-to-get-satyajit-ray-lifetime-achievement-award-18368091.htm |access-date=November 22, 2023 |website=[[CNBC TV18]] |language=en |archive-date=November 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231122112117/https://www.cnbctv18.com/entertainment/54th-iffi-hollywood-star-michael-douglas-to-get-satyajit-ray-lifetime-achievement-award-18368091.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2024, he starred in the [[Apple TV+]] miniseries ''[[Franklin (miniseries)|Franklin]]'', portraying [[Benjamin Franklin]] during the eight years that he spent in [[Kingdom of France|France]] attempting to convince King [[Louis XVI]] to support the burgeoning United States in the [[American Revolutionary War]].<ref name="PremiereDate">{{cite web|last=Schwartz|first=Ryan|date=February 5, 2024|url=https://tvline.com/news/apple-tv-plus-tv-shows-2024-new-returning-1235141679/|title=Apple Sets Dates for Jake Gyllenhaal's ''Presumed Innocent'' Remake, Michael Douglas' ''Franklin'' and 10 Others (Watch)|access-date=February 5, 2024|website=TVLine|archive-date=February 5, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240205171704/https://tvline.com/news/apple-tv-plus-tv-shows-2024-new-returning-1235141679/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In July 2025, Douglas said that he was largely retired from acting, saying "I realized I had to stop [...] I did not want to be one of those people who dropped dead on the set". He added that while he was attached to one additional project and did not fully rule out future projects "if something special came up", he had no plans to work regularly again.<ref name = Ross/>

== Acting style and reception ==
According to film historian and critic [[David Thomson (film critic)|David Thomson]], Douglas was capable of playing characters who were "weak, culpable, morally indolent, compromised, and greedy for illicit sensation without losing that basic probity or potential for ethical character that we require of a hero".<ref name=Thomson>Thomson, David. ''The New Biographical Dictionary of Film'', Alfred A. Knopf (2002) pp. 247–249</ref> Critic and author Rob Edelman points out similarities in many of Douglas's roles, writing that in some of his leading films, he personified the "contemporary, Caucasian middle-to-upper-class American male who finds himself the brunt of female anger because of real or imagined sexual slights".<ref name=Edelman>Edelman, Rob; Unterburger, Amy L. (Ed.) ''International Dictionary of Films and Filmmakers-3: Actors and Actresses'' (3rd Ed.), St. James Press (1997) pp. 347–348</ref>

These themes of perceived male victimization are seen in films such as ''[[Fatal Attraction]]'' (1987) with [[Glenn Close]], ''[[The War of the Roses (film)|The War of the Roses]]'' (1989) with [[Kathleen Turner]], ''[[Basic Instinct]]'' (1992) with [[Sharon Stone]], ''[[Falling Down]]'' (1993), and ''[[Disclosure (1994 film)|Disclosure]]'' (1994) with [[Demi Moore]]. For his characters in films such as these, "any kind of sexual contact with someone other than his mate and the mother of his children is destined to come at a costly price."<ref name=Edelman/> Edelman describes his characters as the "Everyman who must contend with, and be victimized by, these women and their raging, psychotic sexuality".<ref name=Edelman/>

Conversely, Douglas also played powerful characters with dominating personalities, including [[Gordon Gekko]], in the ''[[Wall Street (1987 film)|Wall Street]]'' franchise, who was described as the "greedy yuppie personification of the Me generation," and says "greed is good" in the movie; in ''Romancing the Stone'' and ''The Jewel of the Nile,'' he played an idealistic soldier of fortune; in ''[[The Star Chamber]]'' (1983), he was a court judge fed up with an inadequate legal system, leading him to become involved with a vigilante group; and in ''[[Black Rain (American film)|Black Rain]]'' (1989), he proved he could also play a [[Sylvester Stallone|Stallone]]-like action hero as a New York City cop.<ref name=Edelman/>

Having become recognized as a successful producer and actor, he describes himself as "an actor first and a producer second". He has explained why he enjoys both functions:

{{blockquote|I love the fact that on one side, with acting, you can be a child—acting is wonderful for its innocence and the fun ... On the other side, producing is fun for all the adult kinds of things you do. You deal in business, you deal with the creative forces. As an adult who continues to get older, you like the adult risks. It's flying without a net, taking chances and learning. I was never good in economics or business—had no business background, you know, and I like it.

I think I'm a chameleon. I think it's something that I possibly inherited early on as a child going back and forth between two families. I know that whether it's right or wrong, I have an ability to sort of fit into a lot of different situations and make people feel relatively comfortable in a wide range without giving up all my moral values. I think that same chameleonlike quality can transfer into films. I think if you can remember the reason you got involved with it in the first place and try to keep that impulsive, instinctive feeling even when you're being beaten down or exhausted or waylaid, you'll be successful."<ref name=RollingStone>Hirschberg, Lynn. ''Rolling Stone'' magazine, Jan. 16, 1986 pp. 28–32, 41</ref>}}

== Acting credits and accolades ==
{{main|Michael Douglas on stage and screen|List of awards and nominations received by Michael Douglas}}

Over his career he has received two [[Academy Awards]], a [[BAFTA Award]], five [[Golden Globe Awards]], a [[Primetime Emmy Award]], and two [[Screen Actors Guild Awards]]. He has also received several honors such as the [[AFI Life Achievement Award]] in 2009, two [[Honorary César]]s in 1998 and 2016, a [[Film at Lincoln Center|Film Society at Lincoln Center]] Gala Tribute in 2010, a [[Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award]] in 2004, and a Star on the [[Hollywood Walk of Fame]] in 2018.

==Personal life==
===Marriage and relationships===
[[File:Catherine Zeta-Jones Michael Douglas 2012 Shankbone 2.jpg|thumb|Douglas at a ''[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]'' party with his wife, [[Catherine Zeta-Jones]], in 2012]]
After the filming of ''[[Summertree]]'' in 1971, Douglas began dating actress [[Brenda Vaccaro]], a relationship that lasted nearly six years.<ref>{{cite news| url= http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20064433,00.html |title=Michael Douglas & Brenda Vaccaro: Is Out-of-Wedlock No Longer In? |work=[[People (magazine)|People]] |volume=2 |issue= 10 |date=September 2, 1974 |access-date=May 4, 2012 |archive-date=October 19, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141019034131/http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0%2C%2C20064433%2C00.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

In March 1977, Douglas married Diandra Luker, 12&nbsp;years his junior and the daughter of an Austrian diplomat.<ref>{{cite news| url= http://top-10-list.org/2009/05/06/ten-most-expensive-divorce-settlements-hollywood/| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20090511150251/http://top-10-list.org/2009/05/06/ten-most-expensive-divorce-settlements-hollywood/ |title= Ten Most Expensive Divorce Settlements in Hollywood| website= top-10-list.org| date= May 6, 2009| archivedate= May 11, 2009| access-date= }}</ref><ref name="33&19">{{cite news| url= http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20101047,00.html | title= Basic Breakup: Michael Douglas's Marriage Is Off Again| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140719133302/http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20101047,00.html |archive-date=July 19, 2014| work= [[People (magazine)|People]] |date= July 10, 1995| volume= 44 | number= 2| access-date= May 4, 2012}}</ref> They had one son, [[Cameron Douglas|Cameron]], born in 1978. In 1995, Diandra filed for divorce and was awarded $45&nbsp;million as part of the divorce settlement.<ref name = 33&19/><ref>{{cite news| url= https://www.forbes.com/2007/04/12/most-expensive-divorces-biz-cz_lg_0412celebdivorce_slide_4.html?thisSpeed=undefined| title= 10 Most Expensive Celebrity Divorces| work= [[Forbes]].com| date= May 22, 2002| access-date= May 4, 2012| archive-date= October 9, 2019| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20191009030109/https://www.forbes.com/2007/04/12/most-expensive-divorces-biz-cz_lg_0412celebdivorce_slide_4.html%3FthisSpeed%3Dundefined| url-status= live}}</ref> Diandra then married the [[William Legge, 10th Earl of Dartmouth|10th Earl of Dartmouth]], stepbrother of [[Diana, Princess of Wales]], in 2025.<ref>[https://www.hellomagazine.com/brides/857350/michael-douglas-ex-wife-years-remarries-princess-diana-stepbrother/ Michael Douglas' ex-wife of 22 years remarries – to Princess Diana's stepbrother]</ref>

In March 1999, Douglas began dating Welsh actress [[Catherine Zeta-Jones]]. The pair married on November 18, 2000. Zeta-Jones says that when they met in [[Deauville]], France, Douglas said, "I want to father your children."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/people/how-cheesy-can-you-get/2007/07/12/1183833634622.html|title=Cheesy chat up line that snagged Catherine Zeta-Jones|work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]|date=July 12, 2007|archive-date=April 27, 2010|access-date=July 12, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100427080915/http://www.smh.com.au/news/people/how-cheesy-can-you-get/2007/07/12/1183833634622.html|url-status=live}}</ref> They have two children, son Dylan Michael (born August 8, 2000)<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20132087,00.html |title=Passages |first=David Cobb |last=Craig |work= People |date=August 21, 2000 |access-date=March 16, 2015 |archive-date=March 16, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150316193013/http://www.people.com/people/article/0%2C%2C20132087%2C00.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> and daughter Carys Zeta (born April 20, 2003).<ref>{{cite news|title=Carys—a name rooted in love|date=April 22, 2003|work=news.bbc.co.uk|publisher=BBC News|access-date=September 25, 2006|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/film/2966821.stm|archive-date=February 23, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070223164813/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/film/2966821.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> The family has a coastal estate near [[Valldemossa]], [[Mallorca]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Catherine Zeta-Jones shows off her hidden talents in Mallorca |url=https://www.majorcadailybulletin.com/news/local/2021/08/04/87713/catherine-zeta-jones-shows-off-her-hidden-talents-majorca.html |website=Majorca Daily Bulletin |date=August 4, 2021 |access-date=8 August 2021 |archive-date=August 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210808132406/https://www.majorcadailybulletin.com/news/local/2021/08/04/87713/catherine-zeta-jones-shows-off-her-hidden-talents-majorca.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Douglas and Zeta-Jones own 4 properties, one in Canada, one in Spain, and two in New York.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/life-style/celebrity/article/catherine-zeta-jones-interview-wednesday-netflix-gpszqh3m0|title=Catherine Zeta-Jones: 'This is a new chapter'|first=Gavanndra|last=Hodge|date=16 August 2025|newspaper=[[The Times]]|access-date=18 August 2025|archive-date=August 19, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250819051918/https://www.thetimes.com/life-style/celebrity/article/catherine-zeta-jones-interview-wednesday-netflix-gpszqh3m0|url-status=live}}</ref>

In August 2013, ''[[People (magazine)|People]]'' claimed that Douglas and Zeta-Jones began living separately in May 2013, but did not take any legal action towards separation or divorce.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://people.com/celebrity/michael-douglas-and-catherine-zeta-jones-separate/|title=Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones Separate|work=People|date=August 28, 2013|access-date=August 28, 2013|archive-date=October 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161004101914/http://people.com/celebrity/michael-douglas-and-catherine-zeta-jones-separate/|url-status=live}}</ref> A representative for Zeta-Jones subsequently confirmed that they "are taking some time apart to evaluate and work on their marriage".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/catherine-zeta-jones-michael-douglas-taking-some-time-apart--2013288|title=Catherine Zeta-Jones, Michael Douglas 'Taking Some Time Apart'|work=Us Weekly|date=August 28, 2013|access-date=August 28, 2013|first=Allison|last=Takeda|archive-date=August 28, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130828155537/http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/catherine-zeta-jones-michael-douglas-taking-some-time-apart--2013288|url-status=live}}</ref> It was reported in November, that the couple had reconciled and Zeta-Jones moved back into their New York apartment.<ref>{{cite news|title=Michael Douglas back with Catherine Zeta-Jones|url=http://www.tv3.ie/entertainment_article.php?locID=1.803.810&article=117621| work= TV3.ie| date= November 1, 2013| access-date=November 1, 2013|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102202521/http://www.tv3.ie/entertainment_article.php?locID=1.803.810&article=117621|archive-date=November 2, 2013|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

===Legal issues===
In 1997, New York [[caddie]] James Parker sued Douglas for $25&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thesmokinggun.com/documents/crime/caddy-clubs-michael-douglas-0|title=The Smoking Gun Archive|publisher=The Smoking Gun|access-date=December 23, 2006|archive-date=October 30, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101030014344/http://www.thesmokinggun.com/documents/crime/caddy-clubs-michael-douglas-0|url-status=live}}</ref> Parker accused Douglas of hitting him in the [[groin]] with an errant [[golf ball]], causing Parker great distress. The case was later settled out of court.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.salon.com/2000/12/22/npfri_30/|date=December 23, 2000|title=Michael Douglas closes testicle chapter|work=salon.com|archive-date=November 15, 2013|access-date=November 10, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131115131828/http://www.salon.com/2000/12/22/npfri_30/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2004, Douglas and Zeta-Jones took legal action against [[Stalking|stalker]] Dawnette Knight, who was accused of sending violent letters to the couple that contained graphic threats on Zeta-Jones' life. Testifying, Zeta-Jones said the threats left her so shaken she feared a [[nervous breakdown]].<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/4666313.stm Three-year term for Zeta stalker] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050709062756/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/4666313.stm |date=July 9, 2005 }} from ''BBC News Wales''</ref> Knight claimed she was in love with Douglas and admitted to the offenses, which took place between October 2003 and May 2004. She was sentenced to three years in prison.

===Health problems===
In 1980, Douglas was involved in a serious [[skiing]] accident which sidelined his acting career for three years. On September 17, 1992, the same year ''Basic Instinct'' came out, he began a 30-day treatment for alcoholism and drug addiction at Sierra Tucson Center.<ref>{{cite news|title='Michael Douglas' Biography Reveals Actor's Hidden Demons (EXCERPT)|url=https://huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/18/michael-douglas-biography-excerpt_n_1891335.html|newspaper=Huffington Post|date=September 18, 2012|first=Anthonia|last=Akitunde|archive-date=July 8, 2018|access-date=December 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180708085015/https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/18/michael-douglas-biography-excerpt_n_1891335.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>[https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/michael-douglas-wanted-diandra-luker-2138722 He went to rehab in the 1990s for what he said was an alcohol problem, but was widely reported to be sex addiction.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180408141535/https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/michael-douglas-wanted-diandra-luker-2138722 |date=April 8, 2018 }} Mirror, August 8, 2013</ref>

It was announced on August 16, 2010, that Douglas was suffering from [[Head and neck cancer|throat cancer]] (later revealed to have been [[Oral cancer|tongue cancer]]),<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://people.com/celebrity/michael-douglas-i-lied-i-actually-had-tongue-cancer/|title=Michael Douglas: I Lied – I Actually Had Tongue Cancer|magazine=People|access-date=4 December 2018|date=11 October 2013|author=Blumm, K.C.|archive-date=December 5, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181205003354/https://people.com/celebrity/michael-douglas-i-lied-i-actually-had-tongue-cancer/|url-status=live}}</ref> and would undergo [[chemotherapy]] and [[Radiation therapy|radiation treatment]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/michael-douglas-undergo-throat-cancer-treatment/story?id=11413860&page=2|title=Michael Douglas to Undergo Throat Cancer Treatment|work=ABC News|access-date=August 16, 2010|archive-date=August 19, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100819123133/http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/michael-douglas-undergo-throat-cancer-treatment/story?id=11413860&page=2|url-status=live}}</ref> He subsequently confirmed that the cancer was at [[Cancer staging|stage IV]], an advanced stage.<ref name="Brooks, Xan">{{Cite news|author=Brooks, Xan|title=Michael Douglas reveals his cancer has spread|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2010/sep/01/michael-douglas-cancer-spread|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=September 1, 2010|access-date=September 1, 2010|location=London}}</ref>

Douglas credits the discovery of his cancer to the public [[Healthcare in Canada|Canadian health system]] when a doctor in [[Montreal]], [[Quebec]] diagnosed the actor's medical condition after numerous American specialists failed to do so.<ref name="Brooks, Xan"/><ref>[https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/michael-douglas-praises-canadian-health-care/article578668/ Michael Douglas praises Canadian health care] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170216054235/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/michael-douglas-praises-canadian-health-care/article578668/ |date=February 16, 2017 }}. Gobeandmail.com (May 3, 2011). Retrieved June 19, 2012.</ref> Douglas has since participated in fundraisers for Montreal's [[Jewish General Hospital]], where he was diagnosed, and the [[McGill University Health Centre]] with which the hospital is affiliated.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Douglas lends star power to Head and Neck Cancer fundraiser|url=http://publications.mcgill.ca/reporter/2011/05/douglas-lends-star-power-to-head-and-neck-cancer-fundraiser/|work=McGill Reporter|date=May 5, 2011|access-date=August 28, 2013|location=Montreal|archive-date=April 8, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140408211907/http://publications.mcgill.ca/reporter/2011/05/douglas-lends-star-power-to-head-and-neck-cancer-fundraiser/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Douglas attributed the [[cancer]] to [[Psychological stress|stress]], his previous [[alcohol abuse]], and years of [[Chain smoking|heavy smoking]].<ref>[http://www.starpulse.com/news/index.php/2010/09/01/michael_douglas_cigarettes_and_alcohol "Michael Douglas: 'Cigarettes And Alcohol Caused My Cancer{{'"}}] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120118054632/http://www.starpulse.com/news/index.php/2010/09/01/michael_douglas_cigarettes_and_alcohol |date=January 18, 2012 }}. Starpulse.com (September 1, 2010). Retrieved May 4, 2012.</ref> In July 2011, ''Star'' magazine published photographs which appeared to show him smoking a [[cigarette]] while on holiday that month.<ref>[https://www.cbsnews.com/news/is-michael-douglas-still-smoking-despite-throat-cancer/ "Is Michael Douglas still smoking despite throat cancer?"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240527035700/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/is-michael-douglas-still-smoking-despite-throat-cancer/ |date=May 27, 2024 }} CBS News.</ref> A representative declined to comment on the photographs.<ref>{{cite news|last=Dillon|first=Nancy|title=Michael Douglas caught smoking again after beating throat cancer|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/michael-douglas-caught-smoking-beating-throat-cancer-article-1.155705|newspaper=Daily News|date=July 29, 2011|location=New York|archive-date=January 1, 2013|access-date=January 23, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130101202208/http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/michael-douglas-caught-smoking-beating-throat-cancer-article-1.155705|url-status=live}}</ref>

In November 2010, Douglas's doctors put him on a weight-gain diet due to excessive weight loss that left him weak.<ref>[http://www.efitnessnow.com/news/2010/11/14/michael-douglas-recent-weight-loss-worries-doctors "Michael Douglas' recent weight loss worries doctors"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101117021013/http://www.efitnessnow.com/news/2010/11/14/michael-douglas-recent-weight-loss-worries-doctors/ |date=November 17, 2010 }}, November 14, 2010</ref> On January 11, 2011, he said that the tumor was gone, though the illness and aggressive treatment had caused him to lose 32 pounds (14.5&nbsp;kg).<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-12159548 "Michael Douglas says tumour is gone"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110114020519/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-12159548 |date=January 14, 2011 }}, BBC News, January 11, 2011</ref> He said he would require monthly screenings because of a high chance of recurrence within three years.<ref>Carroll, Linda, [https://web.archive.org/web/20131027131524/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/41009450 "With throat tumor gone, Michael Douglas begins 3-year waiting game"], NBC News. January 10, 2011</ref> In June 2013, Douglas told ''[[The Guardian]]'' that his type of cancer is caused by the [[human papilloma virus]] transmitted by [[cunnilingus]],<ref name="guardian.co.uk"/> leading some media to report this as well. His spokesman denied these reports and portrayed Douglas's conversation with ''The Guardian'' as general and not referring specifically to his diagnosis.<ref>{{cite news|title=Michael Douglas' Throat Cancer Not Really Caused By Oral Sex, Rep Says (UPDATED)|url=https://huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/02/michael-douglas-throat-cancer-oral-sex_n_3375500.html|work=Huffington Post|first=Leigh|last=Blickley|date=June 2, 2013|archive-date=December 19, 2016|access-date=December 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161219005021/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/02/michael-douglas-throat-cancer-oral-sex_n_3375500.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Although Douglas described the cancer as throat cancer, it was publicly speculated that he may have been diagnosed with [[oropharyngeal cancer]].<ref>[http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/727947 Exact type of cancer Douglas has per www.medscape.com]. Medscape.com. Retrieved May 4, 2012.</ref><ref>[https://archive.today/20120905172705/http://www.newsoxy.com/entertainment/zeta-jones-paparazzi-22-20126.html "Doctors believe Douglas has oropharyngeal cancer, not throat cancer"]. Newsoxy.com. Retrieved May 4, 2012.</ref> In October 2013, Douglas said he suffered from tongue cancer, not throat cancer. He announced it as throat cancer upon the advice of his physician, who felt it would be unwise to reveal that he had tongue cancer given its negative prognosis and potential for disfigurement, particularly because the announcement came immediately before Douglas's promotional tour for ''[[Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps]]''.

===Faith and charity work===
Douglas was born to a Jewish father and an [[Anglicanism|Anglican]] ([[Church of England]]) mother.<ref>{{cite web|first=Sydnee|last=Fried|url=https://www.independent.com/news/2016/feb/05/michael-douglas-natan-sharanksy-discuss-jewish-inc/|title=Michael Douglas, Natan Sharanksy Discuss Jewish Inclusion|work=[[Santa Barbara Independent]]|date=February 5, 2016|access-date=May 25, 2018|archive-date=December 22, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181222173143/https://www.independent.com/news/2016/feb/05/michael-douglas-natan-sharanksy-discuss-jewish-inc/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Ree|last=Hines|url=https://www.today.com/popculture/michael-douglas-shocked-anti-semitic-rant-aimed-son-t13346|title=Michael Douglas talks family, faith after stranger's anti-Semitic rant at son|work=[[Today (U.S. TV program)|Today Show]]|date=April 8, 2015|access-date=May 10, 2018|archive-date=May 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210517044248/https://www.today.com/popculture/michael-douglas-shocked-anti-semitic-rant-aimed-son-t13346|url-status=live}}</ref> His cousin, the [[Nick Dill|Right Reverend Nicholas Dill]], is the bishop of the [[Established church|established]] [[Anglican Church of Bermuda]].<ref name="bermudasun.bm"/><ref name="anglicancommunion.org"/> Douglas was not raised with a religious affiliation but stated in January 2015, that he now identifies as a [[Reform Judaism|Reform Jew]].<ref name="latimes.com">{{cite news|url=https://latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-genesis-prize-michael-douglas-20150115-story.html|title=Michael Douglas to be honored by the Genesis Prize Foundation|date=January 14, 2015|work=Los Angeles Times|archive-date=December 6, 2019|access-date=December 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191206043433/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-genesis-prize-michael-douglas-20150115-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=retdooeht>{{Cite magazine|last=Galloway|first=Stephen|title=Michael Douglas: One Hell of a Year|magazine=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=November 29, 2010|url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/news/michael-douglas-hell-year-49839|access-date=December 17, 2010|archive-date=December 7, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101207002124/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/michael-douglas-hell-year-49839|url-status=live}}</ref> His son, Dylan, had a [[Bar Mitzvah]] ceremony<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jewishpress.com/news/michael-douglas-visits-kotel/2014/06/26/ |title=Michael Douglas Visits Kotel |newspaper=The Jewish Press |date=June 26, 2014 |access-date=August 26, 2014 |archive-date=August 8, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808205817/http://www.jewishpress.com/news/michael-douglas-visits-kotel/2014/06/26/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Sara|last=Hammel|url=http://people.com/celebrity/michael-douglas-pays-tribute-to-wife-catherine-zeta-jones-at-aarp-awards/|title=Michael Douglas Emotionally Pays Tribute to Wife Catherine Zeta-Jones While Accepting AARP Award: 'Thank You for the Love'|work=[[People (magazine)|People]]|date=December 4, 2015|access-date=May 10, 2018|archive-date=May 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210517045315/https://people.com/celebrity/michael-douglas-pays-tribute-to-wife-catherine-zeta-jones-at-aarp-awards/|url-status=live}}</ref> and the Douglas family traveled to [[Jerusalem]] to mark the occasion.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.tabletmag.com/scroll/177606/michael-douglas-says-shalom-from-israel|title=Michael Douglas Says 'Shalom' From Israel|work=Tablet Magazine|date=June 27, 2014|access-date=June 27, 2014|first=Stephanie|last=Butnick|archive-date=June 29, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140629222842/http://www.tabletmag.com/scroll/177606/michael-douglas-says-shalom-from-israel|url-status=live}}</ref>

Douglas received the 2015 [[Genesis Prize]], a $1&nbsp;million prize awarded by the Genesis Prize Foundation for Jewish achievement. He donated the prize money to activities designed to raise awareness about inclusion and diversity in Jewish life and to find innovative solutions to pressing global and community problems.<ref>{{Cite news| url= http://www.thejewishweek.com/news/new-york/genesis-prize-taps-michael-douglas |title=Genesis Prize Taps Michael Douglas |last=Rosenblatt |first=Gary |date=January 14, 2015 |work= [[The Jewish Week]] |access-date=January 26, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20150118192233/http://www.thejewishweek.com/news/new-york/genesis-prize-taps-michael-douglas |archive-date=January 18, 2015 }}</ref>

Michael Douglas has been involved in various charitable activities, focusing on healthcare, nuclear disarmament, and human rights. Since 1998, he has served as a [[United Nations]] Messenger of Peace, primarily concentrating on disarmament issues.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nations |first=United |title=Michael Douglas |url=https://www.un.org/en/messengers-peace/michael-douglas |access-date=2024-07-21 |website=United Nations |language=en |archive-date=August 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812162503/https://www.un.org/en/messengers-peace/michael-douglas |url-status=live }}</ref> Douglas has supported the [[Motion Picture]] & Television Fund, which aids those in the entertainment industry, and has participated in fundraising efforts for the [[Jewish General Hospital]] and the [[McGill University Health Centre]] in Montreal, where he was diagnosed with cancer.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Spotlight: Michael Douglas's Charity Work |url=https://www.imdb.com/news/ni61944988/ |access-date=2024-07-21 |website=IMDb |language=en-US |archive-date=April 17, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250417024231/https://www.imdb.com/news/ni61944988/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Additionally, he has been involved with the [[Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation]] and the [[The Michael J. Fox Foundation|Michael J. Fox Foundation]] for Parkinson's Research.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Michael Douglas: Charity Work & Causes |url=https://www.looktothestars.org/celebrity/michael-douglas |access-date=2024-07-21 |website=Look to the Stars |language=en |archive-date=July 21, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240721202842/https://www.looktothestars.org/celebrity/michael-douglas |url-status=live }}</ref> Michael Douglas has also raised awareness about the link between [[Human papillomavirus infection|human papillomavirus (HPV)]] and oropharyngeal cancer, citing medical evidence and his diagnosis to promote public health education and preventive measures. He was featured in the ''"100 Influential Celebrities in Oncology: The 2023 Edition"'' by OncoDaily for his contributions to public awareness.<ref>{{Cite news |last=OncoDaily Editorial Team |title=100 Influential Celebrities in Oncology: The 2023 Edition |url=https://oncodaily.com/positive/28416.html |archive-date=July 21, 2024 |access-date=July 21, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240721183301/https://oncodaily.com/positive/28416.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Allegations of sexual misconduct===
In 2018, journalist and author [[Susan Braudy]] alleged on [[Today (U.S. TV program)|''Today'']], an [[NBC]] morning news show in the United States, and in several other interviews,<ref>{{cite news| url= https://www.theguardian.com/film/2018/jan/18/michael-douglas-sexual-harassment-accusations-susan-braudy |title= Michael Douglas Accuser on Alleged Sexual Harassment: 'I was humiliated'| date= January 18, 2018| work= [[The Guardian]]| access-date= June 27, 2023}}</ref> that in 1989 when Braudy was in her 40s and working as an assistant to Douglas, he regularly made degrading sexual comments about or to her. She stated this caused her to wear baggy clothing at work, and also recalled a one-on-one script meeting where Douglas allegedly undid his pants and fondled himself with her in the room.<ref name=":0" />

In a preemptive statement, Douglas admitted to using coarse language but categorically denied any other wrongdoing.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2018/01/19/michael-douglas-accused-of-sexual-harassment-by-former-employee/|title=Michael Douglas accused of sexual harassment by former employee|last=Rao|first=Sonia|date=January 19, 2018|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|access-date=January 20, 2018|language=en-US|issn=0190-8286|archive-date=January 20, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180120025523/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2018/01/19/michael-douglas-accused-of-sexual-harassment-by-former-employee/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|first=Matthew|last=Belloni|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/features/michael-douglas-alleged-harassment-media-metoo-moment-1075609|title=Michael Douglas, Alleged Harassment, Media and the #MeToo Moment|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=January 18, 2018|access-date=January 20, 2018|language=en|archive-date=January 19, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180119221036/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/features/michael-douglas-alleged-harassment-media-metoo-moment-1075609|url-status=live}}</ref> Zeta-Jones, asked about the allegations while promoting ''[[Cocaine Godmother]]'', did not address them directly but said that her husband was "110 percent behind" the [[Me Too (hashtag)|#MeToo]] movement and that she was "very, very happy" with his statement.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2018/01/15/catherine-zeta-jones-michael-douglas-metoo-supporter/1034429001/|title=Catherine Zeta-Jones: Husband Michael Douglas is a #MeToo supporter|work=[[USA Today]]|date=January 15, 2018|access-date=January 20, 2018|language=en|archive-date=January 21, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180121072817/https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2018/01/15/catherine-zeta-jones-michael-douglas-metoo-supporter/1034429001/|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Michael Douglas Cannes.jpg|thumb|Douglas at the [[1987 Cannes Film Festival]]]]

==Activism==
===Political activities===
[[File:Impronte di Michael Douglas al TCL Chinese Theatre - Los Angeles - USA - agosto 2011.jpg|thumb|Douglas's hand and footprints at [[Grauman's Chinese Theatre]] in [[Hollywood, Los Angeles|Los Angeles]]]]
[[File:President Isaac Herzog hosted the actor Michael Douglas June 2024 (KBG GPO9181).jpg|thumb|Douglas with Israeli President [[Isaac Herzog]] on June 2, 2024]]
Douglas is a registered [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]] and has donated money to the campaigns of [[Barack Obama]], [[Christopher Dodd]], [[Al Franken]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newsmeat.com/celebrity_political_donations/Michael_Douglas.php |title=Donor search—Michael Douglas |work=newsmeat.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061115102419/http://www.newsmeat.com/celebrity_political_donations/Michael_Douglas.php |archive-date=November 15, 2006 }}</ref> [[Edward Markey]],<ref>{{cite web|last=Manchester|first=Julia|title=Celebrities fundraise for Markey ahead of Massachusetts senate primary|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/505012-celebrities-fundraise-for-markey-in-massachusetts-senate-primary/|date=29 June 2020|website=The Hill|access-date=May 22, 2024|archive-date=July 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200701185756/https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/505012-celebrities-fundraise-for-markey-in-massachusetts-senate-primary/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Michael Bloomberg]],<ref>{{cite web|last=Neumann|first=Sean|title=Michael Douglas endorses Mike Bloomberg for President|url=https://people.com/politics/michael-douglas-endorses-mike-bloomberg-for-president/|date=21 January 2020|website=People|access-date=May 22, 2024|archive-date=January 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200121171615/https://people.com/politics/michael-douglas-endorses-mike-bloomberg-for-president/|url-status=live}}</ref> and [[Joe Biden]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Jacobs|first1=Jennifer|last2=Gardner|first2=Akayla|title=Actor Michael Douglas helps raise cash for Biden|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-04-25/gordon-gekko-actor-michael-douglas-helps-raise-cash-for-biden|date=26 April 2024|website=Bloomberg|access-date=May 22, 2024|archive-date=April 25, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425225026/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-04-25/gordon-gekko-actor-michael-douglas-helps-raise-cash-for-biden|url-status=live}}</ref>

Douglas is a member of the [[Council on Foreign Relations]] (CFR).<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Winters|first=Rebecca|title=The World is in His Hands|url=https://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,1037643,00.html|date=13 March 2005|magazine=Time|access-date=May 22, 2024|archive-date=April 16, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250416122627/https://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,1037643,00.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He also a board member of ''RepresentUs.''<ref>{{cite web|last=Swann|first=Sara|title=Michael Douglas joins Jennifer Lawrence in movies about democracy's problems|url=https://thefulcrum.us/big-picture/representus-anti-corruption-video|date=9 December 2019|website=Fulcrum|access-date=May 22, 2024|archive-date=December 29, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191229080524/https://thefulcrum.us/big-picture/representus-anti-corruption-video|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2019, Douglas appeared in a short film for RepresentUs titled ''Unbreaking America: Divided We Fall.''{{citation needed|date=July 2024}} In 2023, Douglas was a key speaker at the American Democracy Summit in Los Angeles.<ref>{{cite web|last=Griffiths|first=Shawn|title=Tackling the crises in American Democracy|url=https://ivn.us/posts/american-democracy-summit-tackling-crisis-american-democracy|date=24 September 2023|website=Independent Voter News|access-date=May 22, 2024|archive-date=October 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231022072124/https://ivn.us/posts/american-democracy-summit-tackling-crisis-american-democracy|url-status=live}}</ref>

Douglas is on the board of selectors of the [[Jefferson Awards for Public Service]].<ref name="auto">{{Cite web |title=Board &#124; youth community &#124; service award |url=http://www.jeffersonawards.org/board |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090106145805/http://www.jeffersonawards.org/board |archive-date=January 6, 2009 |access-date=August 26, 2014 |publisher=Jefferson Awards}}</ref>

In October 2023, Douglas signed an open letter expressing support for Israel during the [[Gaza war]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Veltman |first=Chloe |date=2023-10-21 |title=Entertainment industry A-listers sign a letter to Biden urging a cease-fire in Gaza |url=https://www.npr.org/2023/10/21/1207783685/celebrities-letter-ceasefire-israel-gaza-biden |access-date=2025-07-09 |work=NPR |language=en |archive-date=October 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231021195237/https://www.npr.org/2023/10/21/1207783685/celebrities-letter-ceasefire-israel-gaza-biden |url-status=live }}</ref> In June 2024, Douglas visited Israel and toured the sites of [[Be'eri massacre|Be'eri]] and [[Nova music festival massacre|Nova music festival]] that were hit by the [[Hamas]]-led [[October 7 attacks]]. After his tour of the sites, he met with [[President of Israel]] [[Isaac Herzog]]. During his meeting, Douglas described the participants of the [[2024 pro-Palestinian protests on university campuses|pro-Palestinian protests on university campuses]] as having undergone "brainwashing… because when you try to talk to many of them, there is no education, there's no knowledge."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/america-is-definitely-your-ally-actor-michael-douglas-tours-oct-7-massacre-sites/|title=Visiting Israel, Michael Douglas suggests anti-Israel campus protesters 'brainwashed'|newspaper=Times of Israel|first=Amy|last=Spiro|date=2024-06-02|access-date=2025-03-30|archive-date=June 2, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240602204823/https://www.timesofisrael.com/america-is-definitely-your-ally-actor-michael-douglas-tours-oct-7-massacre-sites/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/michael-douglas-israel-visit-solidarity/|title=Michael Douglas visits Israel to show solidarity as war in Gaza continues|newspaper=CBS News|date=2024-06-03|access-date=2025-03-30|archive-date=June 14, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240614015303/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/michael-douglas-israel-visit-solidarity/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Disarmament and gun control===
Douglas has been a major supporter of [[gun control]] since [[John Lennon]] was murdered in 1980.<ref>{{dead link|date=April 2025}}[http://www.contactmusic.com/new/xmlfeed.nsf/story/douglas-pushes-for-tighter-gun-control Michael Douglas – Douglas Pushes For Tighter Gun Control] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241130064405/http://www.contactmusic.com/new/xmlfeed.nsf/story/douglas-pushes-for-tighter-gun-control |date=November 30, 2024 }}. Contactmusic.com. Retrieved on May 4, 2012.</ref> Since then Douglas has supported gun safety organizations like [[Everytown for Gun Safety]]<ref>{{cite news|last=Hornaday|first=Ann|title=Michael Douglas as Ben Franklin? You bet your britches|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/movies/2024/04/05/michael-douglas-ben-franklin-series/|date=5 April 2024|newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref> and the [[Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Dalton|first=Alex|title=2024 legislative session sees new raft of gun-related bills|url=https://news.yahoo.com/2024-legislative-session-sees-raft-220800518.html|date=12 January 2024|website=Chicago Tribune|access-date=May 22, 2024|archive-date=January 12, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240112123950/https://news.yahoo.com/2024-legislative-session-sees-raft-220800518.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

He is an advocate of [[nuclear disarmament]], a supporter of the [[Nuclear Age Peace Foundation]] and an advisor and former board member of the nuclear nonproliferation-focused grant making foundation [[Ploughshares Fund]].<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.nti.org/about/leadership-staff/michael-douglas/|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140427055901/http://www.nti.org/about/leadership-staff/michael-douglas/|url-status=dead|archive-date = April 27, 2014|title = Michael Douglas, Actor, Producer|access-date = January 27, 2015|website = Nuclear Threat Initiative Official Website}}</ref><ref name="Ploughshares Fund Board and Advisors List">{{cite web |title=Board and Advisors |url=https://ploughshares.org/about/board-and-advisors/ |website=Ploughshares.org |publisher=Ploughshares Fund |access-date=3 April 2025 |archive-date=April 3, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250403024748/https://ploughshares.org/about/board-and-advisors/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1998, he was appointed UN Messenger of Peace by Secretary-General [[Kofi Annan]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.un.org/News/ossg/messengers.htm#douglas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021226213650/http://www.un.org/News/ossg/messengers.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 26, 2002 |title=Messengers of Peace |publisher=United Nations |access-date=December 23, 2006 }}</ref>

In 2003, Douglas hosted a "powerful film" on [[child soldiers]] and the impact of combat on children in countries such as [[Sierra Leone]]. During the documentary film, entitled ''What's Going On? Child Soldiers in Sierra Leone,'' Douglas interviewed children, and estimated that they were among 300,000 other children worldwide who have been conscripted or kidnapped and forced to fight. Of one such child he interviewed, Douglas stated, "After being kidnapped by a rebel group, he was tortured, drugged, and forced to commit atrocities."<ref name=Firsing/><ref>{{cite web|last=Acosta|first=Yvonne|title=Face to face with former child soldiers—and hope:Messenger of Peace Michael Douglas visits Sierra Leone|url=https://international.vlex.com/vid/hope-michael-douglas-visits-sierra-leone-53147446|date=1 June 2003|website=UN Chronicle|access-date=May 22, 2024|archive-date=May 22, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240522173448/https://international.vlex.com/vid/hope-michael-douglas-visits-sierra-leone-53147446|url-status=live}}</ref>
Douglas discussed his role as a Messenger Peace for the UN:
{{Blockquote|I'm in an enviable position ... When I talk about movies I can talk about messages of peace, and infuse them into the entertainment pages.<ref name=Firsing/>}}

In 2006, he was a featured speaker for a [[United Nations]]-sponsored conference on the trade of illicit arms, especially of [[small arms]] and light weapons. Douglas made several appearances, saying:
{{Blockquote|The conference is an opportunity for UN member states to build on the Program of Action and to encourage countries to strengthen their laws on the illicit trade, ... an issue that affects us all ... [and] while owning guns is a legal right in most countries, the illegal trade in guns continues to fuel conflict, crime and violence.<ref name=Firsing>Firsing, Scott T. ''Disturbing Times: The State of the Planet and Its Possible Future'', South Publishers (2007) pp. 92–93</ref>}}

In 2009, Douglas joined the project ''Soldiers of Peace'', a movie against all wars and for global peace.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.soldiersofpeacemovie.com/about/the-cast/25/michael-douglas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090808104837/http://www.soldiersofpeacemovie.com/about/the-cast/25/michael-douglas/ |url-status=usurped |archive-date=August 8, 2009 |title=Michael Douglas—The Cast—Soldiers of Peace |publisher=Soldiersofpeacemovie.com |access-date=October 17, 2009 }}</ref>

In February 2012, following his return to the character of financial criminal Gordon Gekko, the Federal Bureau of Investigation released a public service announcement video of Douglas calling on viewers to report financial crime.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/2012/february/financial-crimes_022712 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120302193757/http://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/2012/february/financial-crimes_022712 |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 2, 2012 |title=FBI – The State of Financial Crime |work=FBI |access-date=December 6, 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/27/fbi-michael-douglas_n_1305067.html|title=Michael Douglas Stars In FBI's Anti-Financial Fraud PSA [VIDEO]|work=The Huffington Post|date=February 27, 2012|access-date=December 6, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wnyc.org/blogs/wnyc-news-blog/2012/feb/27/michael-douglas-assists-fbi-fighting-financial-crimes/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120319040331/http://www.wnyc.org/blogs/wnyc-news-blog/2012/feb/27/michael-douglas-assists-fbi-fighting-financial-crimes/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 19, 2012 |title=FBI Taps Michael Douglas to Raise Financial Crime-Fighting Profile |work=WNYC |access-date=December 6, 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/michael-douglas-gordon-gekko-takes-insider-trading-real/story?id=15803078#.T-DFzRcb_Sg|title=Michael Douglas, Gordon Gekko, Takes on Insider Trading in Real Life|work=ABC News|access-date=December 6, 2014|archive-date=December 13, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141213214249/http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/michael-douglas-gordon-gekko-takes-insider-trading-real/story?id=15803078#.T-DFzRcb_Sg|url-status=live}}</ref> In August 2014, Douglas was one of 200 public figures who were signatories to a letter to ''[[The Guardian]]'' opposing [[Scottish independence]] in the run-up to September's [[2014 Scottish independence referendum|referendum on that issue]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/aug/07/celebrities-open-letter-scotland-independence-full-text |title=Celebrities' open letter to Scotland – full text and list of signatories |newspaper=The Guardian |date=August 7, 2014 |access-date=August 26, 2014 |archive-date=August 17, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140817131736/http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/aug/07/celebrities-open-letter-scotland-independence-full-text |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2023, Douglas served as executive producer and narrator for the political documentary by [[David Smick]], ''America's Burning,'' that predicts a coming tidal wave of political, social, and economic division in America.<ref>{{cite web|last=Lindner|first=Larry|title=A Nation at risk|url=https://www.n-magazine.com/a-nation-at-risk|date=1 September 2023|website=N Magazine|access-date=May 22, 2024|archive-date=June 7, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240607141958/https://www.n-magazine.com/a-nation-at-risk|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Philanthropy==
In a 2016 interview with [[Town & Country (magazine)|Town & Country]] magazine, Douglas described his philanthropic giving as the "sprinkle approach". He has given to over 70 organizations including [[Memorial Sloan-Kettering]], the hospital where he was treated for cancer.<ref>{{cite web|last=Barnes|first=Brooks|title=How Michael Douglas and His Parents Turned Their Celebrity Into Serious Philanthropy|url=https://www.townandcountrymag.com/society/money-and-power/a6093/michael-douglas-family/|date=8 December 2016|website=Town & Country|access-date=July 15, 2024|archive-date=May 2, 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210502022300/https://www.townandcountrymag.com/society/money-and-power/a6093/michael-douglas-family/|url-status=live}}</ref>
Douglas is a benefactor and board member of the Perelman Performing Arts Center in New York City and a longstanding board member of the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center in Waterford, CT where he worked for three summers during college. He attended the ribbon-cutting opening ceremony in September 2023.<ref>{{cite web|last=Jacobs|first=Julia|title=An Arts Center Opens at Ground Zero With Stars Onstage and Off|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/14/arts/perelman-performing-arts-center.html|date=14 September 2023|website=The New York Times|access-date=July 15, 2024|archive-date=June 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240618205820/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/14/arts/perelman-performing-arts-center.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Parrott|first1=Max|last2=Sorensen|first2=Mac|title=Cultural cornerstone:Perelman Performing Arts Center opens in Lower Manhattan near World Trade Center|url=https://www.amny.com/business/perelman-pac-opens-lower-manhattan/|date=13 September 2023|website=AMNY|access-date=July 15, 2024|archive-date=July 16, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240716062410/https://www.amny.com/business/perelman-pac-opens-lower-manhattan/|url-status=live}}</ref>
He supports [[PEN America]] and has presented awards at the organization's annual galas.<ref>{{cite web|last=Ferme|first=Antonio|title=Billions star Asia Kate Dillion Honors High Schooler Protesting Florida's 'Don't Say Gay' Legislation|url=https://variety.com/2022/politics/news/asia-kate-dillon-pen-dont-say-gay-1235276660/|date=24 May 2022|website=Variety|access-date=July 15, 2024|archive-date=June 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240618205821/https://variety.com/2022/politics/news/asia-kate-dillon-pen-dont-say-gay-1235276660/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Italie|first=Hillel|title=PEN America honors activists, artists and dissidents|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/pen-america-honors-activists-artists-and-dissidents/articleshow/91757432.cms|date=24 May 2022|website=The Times of India}}</ref>
In 1999, Douglas funded the establishment of [[UC San Francisco]]'s Michael Douglas Pediatric Brain Tumor Research Center.<ref name=AFI>{{cite web|title=Michael Douglas:37th AFI Life Achievement Award Honoree|url=https://www.afi.com/laa/michael-douglas/|website=American Film Institute|access-date=July 15, 2024|archive-date=September 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240924050545/https://www.afi.com/laa/michael-douglas/|url-status=live}}</ref>
Douglas is a supporter of the Clinton Global Initiative, part of the [[Clinton Foundation]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Holywood gets involved in Clinton Global Initiative|url=https://arktimes.com/the-moviegoer/2006/09/22/hollywood-gets-involved-in-clinton-global-initiative|date=22 September 2006|website=Arkansas Times|access-date=July 15, 2024|archive-date=April 24, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250424134153/https://arktimes.com/the-moviegoer/2006/09/22/hollywood-gets-involved-in-clinton-global-initiative|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Jana|first=Reena|title=Clinton Global Initiative's Annual Meeting to focus on design|url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/clinton-global-initiatives-annual-meeting-to-focus-on-design/|date=19 September 2012|website=ZD Net|access-date=July 15, 2024|archive-date=June 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240618205824/https://www.zdnet.com/article/clinton-global-initiatives-annual-meeting-to-focus-on-design/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2023, Douglas voiced the opening film, "Keep Going!" shown at the opening event of the annual meeting.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.clintonfoundation.org/clinton-global-initiative-september-2023-meeting/?w=slide-keep-going-panel|title=Keep Going|date=20 September 2023|access-date=July 15, 2024|archive-date=June 19, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240619004403/https://www.clintonfoundation.org/clinton-global-initiative-september-2023-meeting/?w=slide-keep-going-panel|url-status=live}}</ref>
For 12 years, Douglas hosted the Michael Douglas and Friends Celebrity Golf Tournament, raising over $10 million for the [[Motion Picture & Television Fund]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Pike|first=Joe|title=Michael Douglas, Morgan Freeman to Host Celebrity Golf Tournament in The Bahamas|url=https://www.travelagentcentral.com/destinations/michael-douglas-morgan-freeman-to-host-celebrity-golf-tournament-bahamas|date=29 February 2012|website=Travel Agent Central|access-date=July 15, 2024|archive-date=June 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240618205823/https://www.travelagentcentral.com/destinations/michael-douglas-morgan-freeman-to-host-celebrity-golf-tournament-bahamas|url-status=live}}</ref>
At UC Santa Barbara, he supports the Center for Film, Television, and New Media.<ref>{{cite web|title=Michael Douglas Pledges $1 Million for UCSB Film Center|url=https://philanthropynewsdigest.org/news/michael-douglas-pledges-1-million-for-ucsb-film-center|date=4 February 2004|website=Philanthropy News Digest|access-date=July 15, 2024|archive-date=April 25, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250425102736/https://philanthropynewsdigest.org/news/michael-douglas-pledges-1-million-for-ucsb-film-center|url-status=live}}</ref> He also founded and funds the Michael Douglas Foundation Visiting Artists Program for the Department of Theater and Dance.<ref name=AFI />
He serves on the Board of Trustees of The Douglas Foundation which has granted more than $118 million to organizations committed to providing more equitable access to education, healthcare, and the arts. The foundation was founded by his father and stepmother, Kirk and Anne Douglas, in 1964.<ref>{{cite web|last=Hammond|first=Pete|title=Douglas Foundation Archive Adds 10,000 Personal Items From Anne and Kirk, Goes Online Fully Digitized For Public Access|url=https://deadline.com/2023/02/douglas-foundation-archive-michael-douglas-kirk-douglas-anne-douglas-1235249593/|date=4 February 2023|website=Deadline|access-date=July 15, 2024|archive-date=June 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240618205821/https://deadline.com/2023/02/douglas-foundation-archive-michael-douglas-kirk-douglas-anne-douglas-1235249593/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of actors with Academy Award nominations]]
* [[List of actors with Hollywood Walk of Fame motion picture stars]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
{{Refbegin}}
* {{cite book|last=Dougan|first=Andy|title=Michael Douglas: Out of the Shadows. the Unauthorised Biography|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SyWeNQAACAAJ|year=2003|publisher=Robson|isbn=978-1-86105-694-8}}
* {{cite book|last=Douglas|first=Diana|author-link=Diana Douglas|title=[[In the Wings: A Memoir]]|year=1999|publisher=Barricade Books|isbn=978-1-56980-151-2}}
* {{cite book|last=Eliot|first=Marc|title=Michael Douglas: A Biography|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EeNdn6Ku8-cC|year=2012|publisher=Crown Archetype|isbn=978-0-307-95236-3}}
* {{cite book|last1=Kaye|first1=Annene|last2=Sclavunos|first2=Jim|title=Michael Douglas and the Douglas Clan|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HL89AAAACAAJ|year=1990|publisher=Knightsbridge Publishing Company Mass|isbn=978-1-877961-21-2}}
* {{cite book|last=Lawson|first=Alan|title=Michael Douglas: A Biography|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xjA3HAAACAAJ|year=1994|publisher=Warner|isbn=978-0-7515-0851-2}}
* {{cite book|last=Parker|first=John|title=Michael Douglas: Acting on Instinct|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HxRtk_A9TTsC|date=July 21, 2011|publisher=Headline|isbn=978-0-7553-6286-8}}
* {{cite book|author=Skip Press|title=Michael and Kirk Douglas|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Iq3aAAAACAAJ|year=1995|publisher=Silver Burdett Press|isbn=978-0-382-24941-9}}
{{Refend}}

==External links==
{{sister project links|d=Q119798|c=Category:Michael Douglas|b=no|v=no|voy=no|wikt=no|s=no|species=no|q=yes}}
* {{AFI person | 111433-Michael-Douglas | Michael Douglas }}
* {{iobdb name|22741}}
* {{IMDb name|140}}
* {{Tcmdb name}}
* {{TV Guide person}}

{{Michael Douglas}}
{{Navboxes
|title = [[List of awards and nominations received by Michael Douglas|Awards for Michael Douglas]]
|list =
{{Academy Award Best Picture Producers}}
{{Academy Award Best Actor}}
{{AFI Life Achievement Award}}
{{Cecil B. DeMille Award 2001–2025}}
{{Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Movie/Miniseries Actor}}
{{David di Donatello for Best Foreign Actor}}
{{David O. Selznick Achievement Award in Theatrical Motion Pictures}}
{{Donostia Award}}
{{EmmyAward MiniseriesLeadActor}}
{{Lincoln Center Gala Tribute}}
{{GoldenGlobeBestActorMotionPictureDrama 1981-2000}}
{{Golden Globe Award Best Actor TV Comedy}}
{{GoldenGlobeBestActorTVMiniseriesFilm}}
{{Hasty Pudding Man of the Year}}
{{Honorary César}}
{{IFFI - Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement Award}}
{{Kirk Douglas Award}}
{{Maltin Modern Master Award}}
{{Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Actor}}
{{National Board of Review Award for Best Actor}}
{{People's Choice Award for Favorite Movie Actor}}
{{Satellite Award Best Actor Motion Picture}}
{{Satellite Award Best Actor Television Miniseries or Film}}
{{ScreenActorsGuildAward MaleTVMiniseriesMovie}}
}}
{{Bryna Productions}}
{{Portal bar|Biography|Film|United States|Television}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Douglas, Michael}}
[[Category:Michael Douglas| ]]
[[Category:1944 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:20th-century American male actors]]
[[Category:21st-century American male actors]]
[[Category:AFI Life Achievement Award recipients]]
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[[Category:American gun control activists]]
[[Category:American male film actors]]
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[[Category:Best Miniseries or Television Movie Actor Golden Globe winners]]
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[[Category:Bryna Productions people]]
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[[Category:César Honorary Award recipients]]
[[Category:Chevaliers of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres]]
[[Category:Choate Rosemary Hall alumni]]
[[Category:David di Donatello winners]]
[[Category:Dill family]]
[[Category:Douglas family|Michael]]
[[Category:Film producers from New Jersey]]
[[Category:Producers who won the Best Film BAFTA Award]]
[[Category:Golden Globe Award–winning producers]]
[[Category:Male actors from New Brunswick, New Jersey]]
[[Category:New Jersey Democrats]]
[[Category:Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture Screen Actors Guild Award winners]]
[[Category:Outstanding Performance by a Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Movie Primetime Emmy Award winners]]
[[Category:Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie Screen Actors Guild Award winners]]
[[Category:Producers who won the Best Picture Academy Award]]
[[Category:United Nations Messengers of Peace]]
[[Category:University of California, Santa Barbara alumni]]
[[Category:Jewish American film people]]
[[Category:American film production company founders]]