Biography of Michael Douglas

A winner of two Academy Awards, as a producer and actor, Michael Douglas also has formidable experience in the world of television. He has also won an Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award. His movies have been box office hits and garnered a cult following, the world over.

Childhood

The son of superstar Kirk Douglas and actress Diana Dill, Michael was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey. He was raised by his mother Diana as his parents were divorced at a young age. Michael studied at the Allen-Stevenson School and later graduated from Eaglebrook School in Deerfield, Massachusetts. Although his father Kirk wasn't too happy about Michael's plans to take up acting as a career, eventually he accepted his son's decision.

Early Years

Although Michael could have opted for studying at the prestigious Yale University, he chose to complete his graduation in Arts from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 1968. The TV series The Streets Of San Fransisco, which ran from 1972 to 1976 gave Michael a chance to display his acting prowess. He shared screen space with veteran actor Karl Malden, who was a father figure to him. After the phenomenal success of this TV series, he produced a movie called One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, which showcased Jack Nicholson's supremacy as an actor. This masterpiece won five Oscars, of which Michael won the "Best Picture" award. After the success of this movie, he made several appearances in movies which failed to attract audiences. Although his acting career stagnated for a brief period, he believed in his own potential and continued to work hard.

Popularity

Although his success as an actor had dwindled over the years, the 1984 blockbuster Romancing The Stone, in which he starred opposite Kathleen Turner changed his fortune. The on-screen chemistry between the two was widely appreciated by audiences the world over. The phenomenal success of this movie led to the making of its sequel, The Jewel of the Nile, which was also a box office hit. The movie Fatal Attraction, a thriller which came out in 1987, cemented his place as one of the leading actors in Hollywood. In the same year, his performance in the movie Wall Street won him an Oscar in the Best Actor category.

He teamed up with his former co-star Kathleen Turner for the movie The War of the Roses. This dark comedy was well-received by the fans of this on-screen couple. He got a chance to work with the critically acclaimed director Ridley Scott in the movie Black Rain, a crime thriller about cops. In 1992, he was paired opposite the sensuous Sharon Stone in the hugely successful Basic Instinct. In 1994, he played the role of a person being harassed sexually by his female boss, in the movie Disclosure, which starred the gorgeous Demi Moore. His diverse roles made him one of the most popular actors among directors.

Marriage

Michael Douglas, who tied the knot with Diandra Luker on March 20, 1977, was married to her for twenty three years. They had a son Cameron from their marriage. Soon after his divorce, in 2000, he fell in love with "porcelain skin" actress Catherine Zeta-Jones, who was twenty five years younger than him. They tied the knot on November 18, 2000. Their children, Dylan Michael and Carys Zeta are a constant source of inspiration for Michael.

Michael Douglas is actively involved with the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation, and is also among the Board of Directors of the Ploughshares Fund. He takes keen interest in politics and supports the principles of the Democratic Party. These being apart from the immense contribution he has made to the film industry.