Michael Douglas is addressing the most controversial chapters of his past in his new autobiography, One Helluva Ride, which arrived on October 6, 2026. The 82-year-old actor has used the memoir to confirm long-standing rumors, including a 1984 affair with his Romancing the Stone co-star Kathleen Turner, while introducing a specific defense for how these revelations affect his marriage to Catherine Zeta-Jones.
Douglas categorizes his past infidelities and romances under the acronym “BC”—meaning “Before Catherine.” Speaking recently with The Sun, the Oscar winner explained that he does not feel “bad” about the bombshells contained in the book because they occurred years before he met his current wife. He stated that Zeta-Jones “understands” the context of his life prior to their 2000 wedding.
The admission regarding Kathleen Turner settles decades of speculation. While the chemistry between the two was visible on screen in the mid-80s, the physical nature of their relationship remained a secret for 40 years. At the time of the affair, Douglas was married to his first wife, Diandra Luker; that marriage eventually ended in a divorce finalized in 2000.
The Monogamy Ultimatum
The memoir also sheds light on the high stakes involved when Douglas and Zeta-Jones first began dating. Douglas reveals that Zeta-Jones delivered a clear ultimatum regarding monogamy early in their courtship. To meet her requirements, Douglas reportedly had to make “five quick phone calls” to break off existing relationships with other women, including reported flings with Jeanne Tripplehorn and Lee Purcell, to clear the path for their future together.
While Douglas maintains that his wife is comfortable with the book’s contents, reports regarding her actual interest in the text are mixed. The Independent has reported that Zeta-Jones has “no intention” of reading the autobiography.
Debunking Industry Myths
Beyond his romantic history, Douglas uses One Helluva Ride to correct the record on his health and reputation. He explicitly denied the decades-old rumor that he entered a rehabilitation facility for “sex addiction” in the 1990s. Douglas labeled the claim a “lie,” clarifying his past struggles without the “addiction” label that has followed his career for thirty years.
The couple, who briefly separated in 2013 before reconciling, appeared to present a united front following the book’s release. The memoir serves as a final accounting of a career and personal life that Douglas describes as a “ride” his wife was well aware of before they committed to their 26-year partnership.
