MICHAEL DOUGLAS

Name & Age

Michael Kirk Douglas was born on September 25, 1944 in New Brunswick, New Jersey, making him 80 years old as of 2025 .

Place of Birth & Family Heritage

He is the elder son of celebrated actor Kirk Douglas and Diana Dill, an actress of Bermudian descent . His father’s family were Jewish immigrants from present-day Belarus, his mother descended from English, Irish, Scottish, Welsh, French, Belgian, and Dutch ancestry, and he was raised alongside brothers Joel, Peter, and Eric .

Education & Early Influences

Michael pursued drama studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara, before training at New York’s Neighborhood Playhouse and American Place Theatre . His breakthrough came with the TV series The Streets of San Francisco (1972–1976), where he starred as Inspector Steve Keller and grew close to co-star Karl Malden, who he called a "mentor" .

Rise to Stardom & Key Roles

• In 1975, he won an Academy Award as producer of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, which secured Best Picture .

• He gained widespread fame portraying Gordon Gekko in Wall Street (1987), earning him the Academy Award for Best Actor .

• Iconic roles followed in Fatal Attraction (1987), Basic Instinct (1992), and Marvel's Ant‑Man series as Dr. Hank Pym starting in 2015 .

Awards & Accolades

Michael has collected two Academy Awards, a BAFTA, five Golden Globes, a Primetime Emmy, two SAG Awards, and honours like the AFI Life Achievement Award (2009) and the Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award (2004) .

Recent Activities & Hiatus

In 2024, he portrayed Benjamin Franklin in an Apple TV+ series. Although he’s currently on a self-imposed pause from acting—focused on producing through his Further Films company—he’s open to compelling projects and planning the release of Blood Knot, featuring his son, Cameron .

Personal Life & Social Impact

Michael has been married to actress Catherine Zeta‑Jones since 2000, and they share two children—Dylan and Carys. He also has a son, Cameron, from his previous marriage . Beyond Hollywood, he’s been a UN Messenger of Peace since 1998, actively supporting nuclear disarmament and healthcare causes, including cancer research at UCSF .

Public Voice & Advocacy

At the 2025 Taormina Film Festival, Michael expressed deep concern about global conflict, criticizing rising defense budgets and apologizing for U.S. policies under former President Trump . He’s also voiced skepticism about AI in acting and optimism in younger generations engaging in local politics .

Michael Douglas stands as a multifaceted icon—an Oscar-winning actor, impactful producer, devoted activist, and voice of conscience. From classic thrillers and superhero franchises to social advocacy on nuclear safety and civic awareness, his career remains rich and evolving.