Michael Douglas Opens Up About Long-Hidden Affair with Kathleen Turner

Michael Douglas has addressed a longstanding rumor about his past personal life. At 82, the actor revealed in his forthcoming memoir, “One Helluva Ride,” that he had an affair with actress Kathleen Turner during the filming of Romancing the Stone. The rumor, which both stars denied for over 40 years, has been confirmed in an excerpt from the book obtained by People.

Douglas described Turner as “smart, funny, and sexy,” adding that her deep, sultry voice contributed to her allure. He recounted an instant attraction between the two, despite his marriage to Diandra Luker being in turmoil at the time. Douglas noted both he and Luker were engaged in extramarital affairs.

Filming for the 1984 movie began while Douglas was “still technically married, but separated,” he wrote. He explained that many believed he and Turner were involved during the movie’s production. Yet they continued to deny the affair, even when they worked on its sequel and while collaborating on “The Kominsky Method.”

Ultimately, Douglas admitted, “During the production of Romancing the Stone, Kathleen and I fell hard for each other and began a relationship.” He explained it was not a fleeting affair but a bond that developed from working closely under pressure.

Douglas highlighted the effort to keep the affair hidden for decades, to shield Luker and their son, Cameron. According to Douglas, nobody on set, including director Bob Zemeckis and co-star Danny DeVito, knew of their relationship. They often met secretly, with Douglas sneaking into Turner’s hotel room to maintain their bond away from prying eyes.

The relationship ended when Luker visited the set with their son, indicating to Turner that the actor was still married. In response to the recent revelations, Turner expressed surprise at the attention, stating, “Good heavens what a fuss about something 40 years ago! I love Michael and look forward to enjoying the book.”

Romancing the Stone tells the story of a romance novelist, Joan, played by Turner, who partners with a bird hunter, Jack Colton, portrayed by Douglas, to rescue her sister from smugglers in Columbia. After a troubled marriage, Douglas and Luker finalized their divorce in 2000. Douglas later married actress Catherine Zeta-Jones, with whom he has two children, Dylan and Carys.