Michael Douglas recently revealed he has stepped back from acting after nearly six decades in Hollywood. The two-time Oscar winner said he has “no real intentions” of returning to acting unless a special role comes along. “I’ve had a very busy career.
I have not worked since 2022, purposefully, because I realized I had to stop,” Douglas explained at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival. “I’d been working pretty hard for almost 60 years, and I did not want to be one of those people who dropped dead on the set.”
Douglas, who successfully battled stage IV cancer in 2010, acknowledged his fortune in being able to continue his career after overcoming the disease. “The fact that I could continue working was lucky,” he added, noting he avoided a form of tongue cancer that could have severely impacted his speech.
Despite his hiatus, the 80-year-old actor left the door slightly ajar for a possible return, should the right project come along. “I say I’m not retired, because if something special came up, I’d go back.
Douglas steps back for personal well-being
But otherwise, I’m quite happy. I just like to watch my wife work,” Douglas said, referring to actress Catherine Zeta-Jones, whom he married in 2000. Douglas’ last film appearance was in 2023, and he has been a prominent figure in the Marvel universe as Hank Pym since 2015, although he was absent from recent projects.
He is set to appear opposite his son, Cameron Douglas, in a forthcoming movie that does not yet have a release date. At the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, Douglas was honored with the Crystal Globe award and attended the 50th anniversary screening of Miloš Forman’s iconic film, which he produced alongside the late Saul Zaentz. During the press conference, Douglas also touched on politics, expressing concerns about the state of American democracy.
“Our country is flirting with autocracy,” he stated, targeting former President Donald Trump. Douglas’ announcement underscores a common sentiment among veteran actors who seek to balance their professional accomplishments with personal well-being, marking an important chapter in his illustrious career.
