Michael Douglas confesses to affair with co-star 20 years younger than him: ‘I was crazy’

LEAVE A COMMENT Before finding everlasting love with his now-wife Catherine Zeta-Jones, it looks like Michael Douglas' love life was a lot more complicated.

The actor, now 82, released his new memoir, One Helluva Ride, on October 6, sharing intimate details of his complicated relationship with his father Kirk Douglas, his struggle through his own addiction battles, and until now-secret relationships with co-stars.

While a previous excerpt from the book revealed a relationship with his Romancing the Stone co-star Kathleen Turner, the book also dropped the news of a brief but passionate affair with his Basic Instinct co-star Jeanne Tripplehorn.

Michael was nearly 20 years Jeanne's senior during the making of the 1992 erotic thriller, in which he co-starred alongside Sharon Stone. In fact, Michael and Sharon's sexually charged scenes from the movie sparked years-long speculation of an affair between the two, which they denied.

Basic Instinct was actually Jeanne's film debut, in which she plays Dr. Elizabeth Garner, a psychologist with whom Michael's character Nick Curran shares a rollercoaster romance. The film ends with [spoiler alert] Nick shooting Elizabeth dead after she is suspected of committing a string of murders.

In his memoir, Michael admitted to falling quickly for his young co-star, although at the time, he was still married to Diandra Luker. It wouldn't be until 1995 that Diandra would file for divorce.

"The truth is, I fell very hard for Jeanne despite our nearly 20-year age difference," he wrote, going so far as to add: "In fact, I was ready to officially leave my wife for Jeanne. I was crazy about her." However, he then noted that it would've been "the worst thing" to actually divorce his wife of 15 years at that point to jump into another serious romance.

The two-time Oscar winner confessed that their romance only lasted for the production of the film. "My relationship with Jeanne lasted through production, then we went our separate ways. But I will always think of her as an amazing actress and a truly terrific woman that I was very fortunate to spend time with."

Jeanne, now 63, has been married to fellow actor Leland Orser since 2000, and they share one son. Meanwhile, Michael found love with Catherine in 1999, and when his divorce from Diandra was finalized in 2000, they tied the knot as well.

Speaking of his affair with Kathleen while separated from Diandra, Michael also penned: "Kathleen was smart, funny, and sexy with a deep, sultry voice that became her signature. I instantly liked her, and we were immediately attracted to each other."

"Things at home were in a bad place. Diandra and I were both having extramarital affairs, including my recent romance with Diane Thomas [Romancing the Stone's screenwriter]. I left for Mexico still technically married, but separated."

Kathleen later issued a response, which said: "Good heavens what a fuss about something 40 years ago! I love Michael and I look forward to enjoying the book."

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