Veteran actor Michael Douglas has proven again and again that he is a man who is not so easily defeated. Douglas fought against alcohol and drug use when he was young and he fought against cancer at a later age. Not to mention all the achievements he has received as a well-known and talented actor of his generation.
Michael Douglas is actually the oldest of Kirk Douglas’ four children. As the son of a superstar, and a superstar himself, that would typically mean that you have the world and YOU are the world, right? But unfortunately not all superstars or A-listers feel that way. There are hidden feelings, challenges and even enemies that these people have to endure.
Even Michael Douglas has had to go through a bad time. You wonder how? Do you remember the time when he separated from Catherine Zeta-Jones? Yes, it was a sad time for him, but instead of comforting and supporting him, there were a few people who did harm to Michael Douglas. Curious to know who they are? Here they are:
1. James Parker
Parker, a golf caddie, sued Douglas for $155 million in 1997. The caddie alleged that Douglas hit him on the groin during a golf game at Elmwood Country Club and made racist insults.
Douglas denied such allegations. The issue was resolved only 8 days before Douglas’ marriage to actress Catherine Zeta-Jones in 2000. No one revealed how high the settlement was, but it was believed to be far from the $155 million that Parker had previously demanded.
2. Brenda Vaccaro
Vaccaro was Douglas’ first serious romantic partner. The woman is an American actress of Italian origin. Although Vaccaro was several years older than him, the relationship lasted almost six years. Given the fact that she was considered the first girl Douglas was serious about, and the length of their relationship, it is more than enough to ruin and damage the heart of a young man in love.
3. Diandra Luker
Shortly after his separation from Vaccaro, Douglas, then 32 years old, married a 19-year-old daughter of an Austrian diplomat named Diandra Luker. The marriage took place in March 1977, after only six weeks of dating.
In 1978 the couple had their first son, Cameron. Although the relationship lasted several years, Luker filed for divorce in 1995, which granted her $45 million in alimony and some prime real estate. Douglas must have been unhappy with the marriage, as he was allegedly unfaithful during the course of the marriage and cheated on Luker with his ex-wife’s best friend, Ellen Mirojnick. He was also quoted as saying that they should have broken up their marriage earlier.
4. Cameron Douglas
Cameron is the eldest son of Douglas and one of the most cherished people in his whole life. Douglas loved his son so much that he had his heart broken several times because he was convicted of drug-related crimes. Shockingly, he was also sentenced to a prison term until early 2018.
He committed several drug cases during his imprisonment, which extended his sentence. Douglas tried to protect Cameron and took the blame by saying he was a bad father.
5. Kirk Douglas
Having a famous father should have a lot of perks, right? But that is not the case if a certain Kirk Douglas is your father. Michael Douglas, the son of Kirk Douglas, was under a lot of pressure, considering that he had to make everyone see him as his own self and not just as “Kirk’s son”.
The younger Douglas said that he grew up deeply concerned about his father’s fame, in addition to the divorce of his parents. These two factors play an important role in Michael’s alcohol and drug abuse problems, which have definitely earned him several misconducts and a ruined, damaged relationship with his first wife.
6. Himself
You will be surprised to learn how a celebrated and famous actor considers himself his enemy. It was Michael Douglas himself who recalled a long story about his inner demons when he was encouraged by his advisor to start a self-healing programme.
Douglas even said that various problems, including the use of alcohol and drugs, had made him a Jekyll-and-Hyde character. He also added that he was a sex addict and said that he was thrown out of the room by his first wife because of his allegedly repulsive and uncontrollable actions. All this had harmed him and made him a bad person… a person he did not want to become.
Cancer
Not everything that can ruin or harm a person is a feeling or another person. Sometimes it can be more than that, and the worst thing is when it is something that we do not control or have no power over, such as disease.
One of the many things that harmed Douglas was cancer. Even though he was rich and popular… cancer is still cancer. He struggled with the disease and suffered a lot, not only in terms of the physical aspect of his treatment, but also in dealing with the stress.
In 2011, Douglas said the tumour had disappeared but he should still have monthly check-ups as there is a chance that he will relapse within two to three years. Douglas also initially said that it was cancer of the throat.
However, in October 2013, he admitted that it was indeed tongue cancer, and he previously only said it was throat cancer, as recommended by his doctor, who did not think it was a good idea to inform the public about it, given the negative prognosis.
