Michael Douglas: The quiet farewell of a restless star
Following in the footsteps of the great Jean Hackman, who chose to retire “before he blows it on a set,” 80-year-old Michael Douglas announced his decision to retire at the Carlsbad Film Festival a few days ago. The actor, who has had a monumental career spanning six decades, did not provide a clear reason for his decision to step back from the film industry that he declared his love and dedication to just a few years ago, barring any special circumstances.
What changed since he declared at age 70, having overcome a serious illness, faced sexual harassment allegations and experienced his first superhero adventure as Hank Pym in Ant Man and the Avengers finale, that he had no intention of retiring? Perhaps nothing specific. Douglas is one of the last knights of an era that followed his father’s golden age, though he denies the influence of his Hollywood royalty upbringing.
Although Douglas was not naturally a sex symbol, a beloved actor, or a typical teenage heartthrob, he exuded a sense of assurance, guaranteeing something entertaining and thought-provoking in his performances. He may have been perceived as unlikable and arrogant, but he was also intriguingly imperfect.
The reason for this is simple: when Michael was still a child, his father Kirk Douglas was working tirelessly, starring in as many as five movies a year to establish his reputation and support his family. Before “Spartacus” and the success that followed, the titan of American cinema lived with his first wife and their children in a studio apartment, striving not to mirror his own father, a Russian-Jewish immigrant and racketeer who abandoned his family.
Michael’s stepfather, Bill, provided a crucial pillar of support during his formative teenage years, starting from when he was 13. His biological father’s emotional turmoil, following the collapse of his marriage, left Michael feeling insecure, even though his father was determined to remain involved in his sons’ lives.
As a teenager, Michael was enamored with the 1960s California lifestyle, often seen riding his motorcycle in velvet shirts and wandering around San Francisco. It wasn’t until a professor at Santa Barbara University encouraged him to choose a specialization that he seriously considered his future. Without much thought, he chose “theater,” and from that point on, he never looked back. His father, Kirk, was present at every performance, always providing him with honest feedback, which often highlighted Michael’s lack of stage presence.
In retrospect, Michael often wonders why he didn’t abandon his acting pursuits, given the intense stage fright he battled with in every play. But he persevered for over a year until he finally began to improve, following his father’s advice to always strive for excellence in everything he did. From humble beginnings as a gas station attendant and frontman of the little-known rock band Down Shifters, the missing mentor on his professional journey was found in the form of the acclaimed, Oscar-winning actor and close friend of his father, Kirk, Carl Malden.
In the early ’70s, he made his mark on the streets of San Francisco, securing three consecutive Emmy nominations for Best Supporting Actor. He was known for his generosity towards his co-stars, a trait uncommon among lead actors of the time, often encouraging the director to give more screen time to the supporting cast. Malden was well-regarded for his support of young talents in the industry.
As he enjoyed the comfortable success that the popular series provided, he also pursued his father’s long-held, unrealized dream of adapting Ken Casey’s book, The Cuckoo’s Nest, for the big screen. Originally, Kirk had intended to star in the film himself, but after 14 years of unsuccessful attempts to sell the idea to Hollywood studios, he realized he had aged out of the lead role. He then passed the rights to his son and Saul Zaents.
Despite seeming uncommercial due to its challenging subject matter, the film, starring Jack Nicholson and Louise Fletcher, directed by Milos Foreman, was a global sensation. Michael was thrust into the film industry spotlight, earning a Best Picture Oscar and enviable industry standing. He leveraged this newfound prestige with The China Syndrome, in which he also starred alongside Jane Fonda. His rise to global fame was cemented with his roles in Romancing the Stone and its sequel, which sparked a long-term professional partnership and lifelong friendship with Kathleen Turner.
Despite facing allegations of abusive behavior, he has consistently maintained that his films cultivate a comfortable and liberating atmosphere for women. This is a claim that Sharon Stone—and her infamous cross-legged scene—might dispute.
Despite his lackluster performances in “It’s My Turn” and “A Chorus Line,” Michael’s career didn’t truly take off until Oliver Stone recognized the sinister edge hidden behind Michael’s often frozen smile—a stark contrast to his affable public image, yet eerily reminiscent of the aggression inherited from his father, Kirk.
His breakthrough role as the despicable Gordon Gekko in “Wall Street” catapulted him into the spotlight. His portrayal of the greedy and morally bankrupt ’80s tycoon earned him an Academy Award for Best Actor in 1988, despite stiff competition from his fellow nominees, including his best friend, Jack Nicholson. His acceptance speech notably thanked his father for helping him step out of his immense shadow. That year proved to be a pivotal one for Michael. In addition to the buzz surrounding “The Fatal Affair”—a film rife with infidelity, elevator sex, and rabbit stew—he also landed high-profile roles in critically acclaimed films such as “The Apocalypse,” “American President,” and the controversial 1992 hit “Basic Instinct.” This was also the year he decided to quit alcohol and drugs, a decision that came amid rumors of sex addiction at the peak of his career.
While he may not have been the quintessential sex symbol, the most adored actor, or the obvious choice for a teenage heartthrob poster, Douglas exuded a certain confidence. His performances promised something both entertaining and thought-provoking. He was perhaps unlikable and arrogant, yet his flaws only added to his intrigue, making him a compelling figure in the world of cinema.
In person, Michael Douglas exuded courtesy and empathy (I had the pleasure of speaking with him during his interviews for David Fincher’s “The Game”), and his comments revealed a man who was an attentive listener, never resorting to mundane formalities.
Arguably, his most challenging performance was in Joel Schumacher’s “Falling Down”, a raw depiction of a man spiraling into destruction, clinging to the remnants of his sanity. His successful run continued until the turn of the century with films like “Traffic” and “Wonder Boys”. He later reconnected with Steven Soderbergh in the TV movie “Behind the Candelabra”, earning his only Emmy for his portrayal of the opulent Liberace, a character drenched in desire, furs, and hypocrisy. It was a brilliant casting choice, as no one could have envisioned Douglas in the role of such a flamboyant entertainer.
Amid his social activism, philanthropy, his divorce from Deandra, relationship troubles with his eldest son, Cameron, and his on-again, off-again marriage to Catherine Zeta-Jones, Douglas continued to act primarily in TV shows. He starred alongside Alan Arkin in “The Kominsky Method” as an actor turned coach and completed an impressive stint as Benjamin Franklin. However, he soon realized that even for a man as indefatigable and creative as him, the opportunities in show business were no longer as plentiful as they once were.
