"That was a rough one" — Michael Douglas opens up about being mistaken for one of his kid's grandfather at Brown University

In an interview with The Telegraph, published on April 20, Michael Douglas spoke about being mistaken for a grandfather when he went to attend Parents' Day at Brown University, where his child studies. He recalled:

"This is not grandfather’s day, this is parents’ day. I say ‘I am a parent!’ That was a rough one.”

The Fatal Attraction star married actress Catherine Zeta-Jones on November 18, 2000. They have two children, Dylan, 23, and Carys, 21, from their 25-year-long marriage. His daughter, Carys, attends Brown University, while his son graduated from the same college in 2022.

Michael Douglas with his daughter (left) and wife (right). (Photo by Victor Boyko/Getty Images)

In the interview, Douglas shed light on his parenting days, both in his first and second marriages. For the uninitiated, Douglas also shares a son, Cameron, with his ex-wife, Diandra Luker. They got married in 1977 and separated in 2000.

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Michael Douglas talks about parenting and being "empty nesters" in latest interview

Michael and his family at F1 Grand Prix of Great Britain. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

Douglas admitted that parenting in his later years often meant he could not keep up with his kids all the time. However, he added:

"But it’s nice having somebody look after you and say, ‘ You okay dad?’"

He also spoke about his marriage and added that he and Zeta-Jones are now enjoying an "empty nest."

"This has been a great time for me but I’ve been very fortunate. Catherine and I have been together, it’ll be 25 years this year. So it’s been a good ride and I’ve been very fortunate, happy with the choices that I’ve made and now am kind of really backing off and smelling the roses a little more, traveling more. We’re empty nesters so we can get around a lot more than we used to raising two children in your fifties, sixties, and into your seventies?"

The Basic Instinct star also talked about the difficulties that he faced as a parent, particularly in his first marriage. He opened up about the regret he experiences from missing Cameron's upbringing, saying:

“Cameron suffered a lot from that time... I was just overwhelmed and overloaded by my work."

He also described his children as "extraordinary human beings" and spoke about how they brought him joy:

"I have to thank my kids, Dylan and Carys. They’re just extraordinary beings. I probably certainly have to thank their mum and Catherine. They’ve just been a joy. We’ve had no issues per se."

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Michael Douglas is Franklin in his new series

Michael plays Franklin in his new show. (Image via Instagram/ @Michaelkirkdouglas)

With more time for himself, Michael Douglas is looking forward to working on his interests. The actor discussed his new role as Benjamin Franklin in the Apple TV+ series, Franklin. The limited series premiered on April 12.

It depicts the life of America's first diplomat and how he secured the support of the French. Michael Douglas told CBS News that he considers this series contemporary work and reported:

"For me, this series is such a reminder of how fragile democracy is."

He said he wants this series to be a "reminder," adding:

"When you start thinking about the time we first created our Constitution, and to see the kind of shape that we're in now, it's a reminder."

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Michael Douglas has won the Oscars twice in his illustrious career so far - once for his role in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, and the next time, for Wall Street. Throughout his career, he has won many other awards, including a Primetime Emmy Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award, a BAFTA, and more.