Michael Douglas reveals the Hollywood star he had an affair with 40 years ago

By Juliane Rodust

Los Angeles, California - 42 years after filming their first movie together, actor Michael Douglas has confessed to a love affair with his co-star, Kathleen Turner!

Michael Douglas speaks onstage during TCM Classic Film Festival: New York Pop-Up x 92NY on January 31, 2026. The 82-year-old has now spilled a four-decade-old secret of his love life!
Michael Douglas speaks onstage during TCM Classic Film Festival: New York Pop-Up x 92NY on January 31, 2026. The 82-year-old has now spilled a four-decade-old secret of his love life!  © Mike Coppola / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

"The truth is that during the production of Romancing the Stone, Kathleen and I fell hard for each other and began a relationship," Douglas writes in his new memoir, per an excerpt obtained by People.

They never denied the palpable chemistry between them, but the official story always was: "We were both tempted, but nothing ever happened between us."

"That was a lie," the 82-year-old reveals.

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When asked about the revelation by People, Turner responded briefly, "Good heavens, what a fuss about something 40 years ago!"

"I love Michael, and I look forward to enjoying the book," she added.

Douglas will publish his memoirs, titled One Helluva Ride, on October 6.

In the book, the Ant-Man star recounts that during the filming of the 1984 adventure comedy, he was "still technically married, but separated" from then-wife Diandra and had traveled to Mexico for the shoot.

The up‑and‑coming Turner had left Douglas "knocked sideways," "Like every other guy in the world at the time."

They kept their fling secret from the rest of the crew.

Douglas asked Turner for permission to dish on their romance

Michael Douglas (r.) and Kathleen Turner were romantically involved off-screen while filming 1984's Romancing the Stone.
Michael Douglas (r.) and Kathleen Turner were romantically involved off-screen while filming 1984's Romancing the Stone.  © IMAGO / Capital Pictures

According to Douglas, the "magic spell" was only broken when Diandra visited the set with their son, Cameron.

"At some point, she was alone with Kathleen and made it clear to her that we were still married. Her view of the terms of our separation was different from mine," Douglas recalls.

This led Turner to withdraw from their love affair.

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The two stars of the 1980s later appeared together on screen again, including the adventure sequel The Jewel of the Nile and the divorce drama The War of the Roses.

Their most recent collaboration was in 2021, when Douglas and Turner co‑starred in the third season of the sitcom The Kominsky Method.

Douglas, who has been married to Catherine Zeta‑Jones since 2000, says he still maintains a close friendship with Turner to this day.

According to the People, he even asked her for permission to reveal the long‑kept secret in his memoir.

Cover photo: Mike Coppola / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

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