During a recent conversation about his freshly released memoir One Helluva Ride the 82-year-old actor Michael Douglas grew visibly irritated when the interviewers turned to his private life. The discussion, conducted by a British journalist, spiraled into a heated exchange about alleged affairs, a supposed rehabilitation stint, and the reasons why the UK press seems fascinated by his sexual past.
Douglas, whose career spans more than five decades, used the platform to set the record straight on several points that have haunted him for years. While he acknowledged the memoir’s candid tone, he insisted that many of the tabloid narratives have been exaggerated or fabricated.
The memoir’s revelations and the “five women” claim
In One Helluva Ride Douglas recounts his time on the set of the 1984 adventure film Romancing the Stone where he and co-star Kathleen Turner developed a relationship that has long been the subject of speculation. He describes the liaison as a “fly-by-night affair” that grew organically from friendship to romance, noting that after grueling jungle shoots he would sneak into Turner’s hotel room under the cover of darkness. The book also mentions that, before committing to Catherine Zeta-Jones, he felt compelled to end relationships with “five women” in order to pursue monogamy.
When pressed about the “five women” detail, Douglas pushed back, saying, “No, not me, no. I was a healthy product of the Sixties.” He clarified that the decision to become monogamous stemmed from a conversation with Zeta-Jones, who asked for exclusivity, prompting him to make the necessary calls and end those other connections.
Denial of a sex-addiction rehabilitation stint
The interview turned particularly sharp when the journalist revisited a 1992 tabloid claim that Douglas had entered a rehab facility for a supposed sex addiction. Douglas responded with unmistakable frustration: “A British tabloid editor came up with this story, which, thank you very much, here we are talking about at 82. It wasn’t true.” He emphasized that the only treatment he sought in the early ’90s was for alcoholism at Sierra Tucson in Arizona.
He further underscored his point by stating plainly, “I was never a f—ing sex addict,” a line lifted directly from his memoir. The actor’s rebuke highlights a broader resentment toward sensationalist coverage that, in his view, has outlived its relevance.
Reactions from Kathleen Turner and the status of his marriage
Kathleen Turner, now 72, responded to the memoir’s disclosure with a light-hearted comment, calling the renewed attention “a fuss about something 40 years ago” and expressing affection for Douglas. She added that she looks forward to reading the book.
Regarding his long-standing marriage to Catherine Zeta-Jones, Douglas admitted to a brief separation in 2013 but dismissed any notion of a dramatic reconciliation. “It was mutual,” he said, noting that they have worked through their difficulties and remain “in good shape” after 25 years together. He also mentioned that Zeta-Jones has not yet read the memoir.
Why the British press focus on sex?
Throughout the interview, Douglas repeatedly questioned why British journalists seemed preoccupied with his sexual history. “My curiosity is why, of all countries, of all the press that I do, why are the Brits so consumed with the issues of sex?” he asked, suggesting that the line of questioning felt more like a personal interrogation than a journalistic inquiry.
The exchange illustrates a clash between a Hollywood veteran accustomed to controlling his narrative and a media culture that continues to mine past scandals for headlines. Douglas’s firm denial of the rehab rumor, combined with his clarification of past relationships, offers a rare glimpse into how a star navigates legacy, privacy, and the relentless churn of tabloid speculation.
