Hollywood Icon Michael Douglas Speaks Candidly About His Son's Incarceration, His New Outlook on Family and Second Chances, Returning to His Oscar-Winning Role of 'Gordon Gekko,' and His Thoughts on Viagra and Cialis

News provided by

Jan 21, 2010, 04:48 ET

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW ONLY IN THE MARCH/APRIL ISSUE OF AARP THE MAGAZINE

WASHINGTON, Jan. 21 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Two-time Oscar winner Michael Douglas graces the March/April cover of AARP The Magazine and paints a rare, candid picture of his life - examining his family dynamic, his romantic relationship with wife, actress Catherine Zeta-Jones, and his appreciation of Viagra and Cialis. He also reflects on his long career as he prepares for the launch of his latest film, Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps, the sequel to the movie that earned him the Best Actor Oscar for his portrayal of ruthless corporate raider Gordon Gekko. The son of Hollywood legend Kirk Douglas, Michael Douglas understands like few others the pressures of the business and the repercussions it can have on a family. In the new issue of AARP The Magazine, in homes now and available online at www.aarpmagazine.org, he shares personal photos and refreshing insights on mistakes he made as a father and lessons learned during a career that has spanned decades. On raising his first son, Cameron, who is currently incarcerated in New York on felony drug charges, Douglas says, "I'll assume whatever responsibilities I have to. Would it have been better to have been around more? Absolutely. There were absences, and I was no angel."

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100121/DC41840)

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070209/NYF043LOGO)

On Family, Life, and Love with Wife Catherine Zeta-Jones

"I made a conscious effort, with Catherine being younger in her career, to say, 'Do what you've got to do and I'll follow you.'"

"At least in your head, your fire burns as brightly. Let's not kid ourselves. But God bless her that she likes older guys. And some wonderful enhancements have happened in the last few years – Viagra, Cialis – that can make us all feel younger."

"We have a deep understanding with each other rather than having to worry about fulfilling one another's expectations. She knows what it's like to come back at night wiped out. And it's all right to have silences."

Catherine Zeta-Jones on Michael

"One thing I love about Michael, and there are many, many things, is that he gets things done. He has educated me on how to conduct a busy life without being so self-centered that everything else goes by the by." – Catherine Zeta-Jones

On Parenting at 50+ in Hollywood

"My career was the most important thing in my life, followed by marriage and children. And it's completely reversed now. I never anticipated starting a family and the joy of raising kids at my age."

"I wince when I think I'll be close to 75 when my daughter is 16. I'm not going to be able to physically chase the boys away."

"I think it's easier for me to be a good father. I'm not so concerned about my career ... I see the confidence my kids have got versus the struggle for confidence that I had or that Cameron might have dealt with."

On Failures as a Parent with Son Cameron Douglas

"I'll assume whatever responsibilities I have to. Would it have been better to have been around more? Absolutely. There were absences, and I was no angel."

"Cameron has a lot of life ahead. He now recognizes his own demons and struggles."

"He's a tough kid. … Still, he's in a federal prison, and you've got some big, bad boys down there."

On His Relationship with Father Kirk Douglas

"I was the product of a divorced family. My dad was always torn; he was working really hard and would want to see us. But then, with all his Kirk Douglas passion, he'd try to be a father for a week, a summer, whatever. It was tough."

"He's [Kirk Douglas] a very different person than when he was actively involved in his career. I'm in awe to be able to watch how I'm going to hopefully conduct my next act."

On The Future

"I'll be watching my six- and nine-year-olds just take off on their computers. I'm looking on in complete awe; they're looking at me like I'm a dinosaur. Time is moving fast – it's moving really fast. I'm just trying to slow it down."

An image of the March/April cover of AARP The Magazine featuring Michael Douglas is available upon request.

About AARP The Magazine

With more than 35.7 million readers nationwide, AARP The Magazine (www.aarpmagazine.org) is the world's largest circulation magazine and the definitive lifestyle publication for Americans 50+. Reaching over 24 million households, AARP The Magazine delivers comprehensive content through in-depth celebrity interviews, health and fitness features, consumer interest information and tips, book and movie reviews and financial guidance. Published bimonthly in print and continually online, AARP The Magazine was founded in 1958 and is the flagship title of AARP Publications.

About AARP

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates. We produce AARP The Magazine, the definitive voice for 50+ Americans and the world's largest-circulation magazine with over 35.5 million readers; AARP Bulletin and AARP Bulletin Today, the daily go-to news source for AARP's nearly 40 million members and Americans 50+; AARP Segunda Juventud, the only bilingual U.S. multimedia brand dedicated exclusively to the 50+ Hispanic community; and our website, AARP.org. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Island.

SOURCE AARP