Michael Douglas

Illustration: Rob Kelly

He’s been turning out juicy, often iconic films for more than 30 years, won an Oscar as Gordon Gekko, and is beyond famous for his sex trilogy—Fatal Attraction, Basic Instinct and Disclosure—but Michael Douglas’s latest role is mainly that of family man. These days, the silver-screen elder statesman spends more time as husband to Catherine Zeta-Jones, and father to their two children, than he does making movies or working as a Messenger of Peace for the United Nations (area of interest: disarmament). But the man does still work his craft. King of California, a quirky story about a mentally ill hippie musician (Douglas) and his daughter (played by Evan Rachel Wood), comes out September 14. Douglas spoke about it with us by phone, his voice familiar and velvety.

You’re rocking quite a beard in King of California. Was it actually yours?

All mine. It took four months to grow.

Was the character fun to play?

He was fabulous. The crazies are always great; there are no restrictions. I learned a lot when we were doing Cuckoo’s Nest [which Douglas produced]. It’s great when you have a very short shooting schedule. You have to go on your instincts. I did a little homework about mania, so I understood more about that and just went.

Did you draw on your paternal experience for this role?

Well, you always draw a little on everything. I haven’t been in a nuthouse for a couple of years. But I have been guilty of ignoring my older son during times in my career when it was all-consuming.

What’s it like raising young kids again?

I’m having a ball with my seven-year-old son [Dylan] and four-year-old daughter [Carys]. That’s why I haven’t made many pictures in the last few years.

It’s been said that your father, Kirk Douglas, discouraged you from becoming an actor. Would you give the same advice?

Let’s say he didn’t encourage. It’s a fantastic gig, are you kidding? It’s the best in the world if you like acting. If you’re doing it to become a movie star, you’re going to be disappointed.

Which is your favorite of your movies?

You work as hard on failures as successes. I like the quirkier ones, like King of California—Wonder Boys, Falling Down, The War of the Roses. Things that have a tone that jumps around a bit, an unpredictability.

Speaking of unpredictable, is it true you live in Bermuda?

We’ve lived in Bermuda since we got married. My mom is from Bermuda. I grew up there summers. It turned out to be an incredible place to raise kids and carry on. Sometimes it’s a little isolated. We have an apartment in New York, on the West Side.

You’re a native New Yorker, right?

I grew up in New York. My mom and dad got divorced when I was four. I grew up here until I was 12 in the West 80s, then I moved when my mom remarried. I came back as a young actor in the 1960s.

You married rather famously at the Plaza. Are you sad about its demise?

I’m not. We had a great time. The wedding was wonderful and we have good memories, but possession is nine tenths of the law. There seem to be other great things—think about what great shape the city is in. I hope no one takes it for granted how great the crime rate is.

Are you happy to be away from America? 

America? It’s good to be away from L.A.! I think that the celeb media culture is overwhelming. My heart goes out to people living and working out in L.A. Or New York, for that matter—it has gotten pretty aggressive here, too.

Would you like to do another movie with your wife?

We did Traffic together. We’ve been talking about developing another part to Romancing the Stone. How you do real-life couples in films—the history has not been very successful or rewarding. We’ll probably get a hunk for her and I’d be the bad guy.

King of California opens Sept 14.