Actor Michael Douglas has revealed in an extract from his upcoming memoir that he and co-star Kathleen Turner engaged in a secret relationship while filming the 1984 adventure comedy Romancing the Stone. He admitted they successfully hid the romance from the public for four decades.
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Verify & Continue ReadingWriting in his memoir titled One Helluva Ride, Douglas disclosed that both actors intentionally lied to the media to protect his family life. This came despite acknowledging their intense on-screen chemistry over the years.
The official public narrative maintained for decades was that the pair shared incredible chemistry and acknowledged being mutual flirts. However, they strictly insisted nothing physical ever happened between them off-camera.
“The official story went as follows: Yes, we confessed, we had amazing chemistry. Yes, we were both, as Kathleen said, ‘terrible flirts,’ and yes, we were both tempted, but nothing ever happened between us,” Douglas wrote in an extract published by People on Friday.
“That was a lie. It was a lie meant to protect my wife and son, a lie we told the world for 40 years,” Douglas added.
The On-Screen Chemistry of Douglas and Turner
Directed by Robert Zemeckis, Romancing the Stone became a major box office hit upon its release in March 1984. Its success was largely propelled by the dynamic between Douglas, who played Jack Colton, and Turner, who played Joan Wilder. The film’s commercial and critical success led to a 1985 sequel, The Jewel of the Nile, which reunited the two leads alongside Danny DeVito.
For decades, film historians and fans speculated about the true nature of the relationship between Douglas and Turner given their electric presence together. However, both actors consistently maintained professional boundaries in interviews throughout the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s.
Protecting Family Dynamics
Douglas noted that maintaining the secret was essential during the height of his career to shield his family from intense tabloid scrutiny. At the time of filming Romancing the Stone in 1983, Douglas was married to his first wife, Diandra Luker, with whom he shared his son Cameron.
The revelation marks one of the rare instances where Douglas has retroactively addressed the personal dynamics behind his classic 1980s cinematic run. Memoir excerpts continue to release ahead of the full publication of One Helluva Ride, shedding new light on the behind-the-scenes realities of classic Hollywood productions.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner film Romancing the Stone?
Principal photography for Romancing the Stone took place primarily in 1983, and the film was theatrically released in March 1984.
What book does Michael Douglas reveal the affair in?
Michael Douglas reveals the secret relationship in his upcoming memoir titled One Helluva Ride.
How long did Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner hide the romance?
The two actors kept the relationship secret for four decades, publicly denying any romantic involvement until the memoir excerpt was published.
Did Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner star in any other movies together?
Yes, following the success of Romancing the Stone, they reunited for its 1985 sequel The Jewel of the Nile and later starred together in the 1989 dark comedy The War of the Roses.
