Michael Douglas appears hardly recognizable in a recent video he shared on social media. Many of his followers are taken aback by his appearance, expressing their shock at how old the Hollywood star—who has shared candid reflections on how he feels growing older—looks at 79.
Celebrating the Fourth of July somewhere by the sea, iconic silver screen actor Michael Douglas, 79, took to Instagram to share a video of himself on Independence Day. While the post was about paying homage to the historical event, people were transfixed by the star's appearance.
Illuminated by the glowing sunset behind him, which also cast a light on the beautiful scenery— featuring bountiful green trees and a sparkling blue ocean—Michael began talking about the significance of the day. Opting for a laid-back vibe, he donned a gray shirt.
"Good evening, everyone. I just want to get a little head start on 4th of July, our Independence Day! [...] I wish all of us a Happy 4th [...] Have a great, great holiday!" Michael expressed and penned in his caption alongside the video.
While the focus of the white-haired "Fatal Attraction" star's video was centered on America's Independence Day, eagle-eyed observers couldn't help but divert their attention to something else—his physical features.
A lot of people were astonished by his wrinkly visage, with some finding it hard to believe that Michael is not older than 79. "How old is he 98 ? 😮," questioned an Instagrammer. Similarly, another wrote, "Oh my gosh! I know he's almost 80 but boy he has aged much more than other 80 yr olds."
Echoing the shock, someone else added, "Good Lord! I didn't even recognize him!" while another Instagrammer marveled, "Wow sooo old [too] many wrinkles." Commenting on the cadence and speed at which Michael spoke, another person said, "Every sentence feels like a struggle. #gettingoldsux."
However, amid comments made about Michael's remarkedly aged appearance, some praised the "Basic Instinct" talent. "You look so handsome as always," complimented a fan. Another swooned, "Looking good looking good Michael, God bless you Man, carry on boy."
Reiterating the aforementioned comment, another admirer chimed in with, "Looking good as always enjoy today Mr Douglas 🇺🇸 and your family blessings to you all." While most may be shocked by how much older the actor looks, the fact that the beloved entertainer has aged is not news to him.
Michael has long been open to talking about him growing older. Back in 2018, while at the AFI Fest premiere for his then-new show on Netflix "The Kominsky Method," he brought up his age in relation to feeling grateful about his life.
"I'm old enough to appreciate that this is a good time in one's life, and not taking it for granted," Michael previously shared. Earlier that same year (2018), he attended the Television Critics Association Summer Press Tour for "The Kominsky Method," of which he is also the executive producer.
Speaking about the pros and cons of aging, Michael divulged, "I think I've enjoyed being more comfortable with myself and liking myself more - and not being quite as self-critical."
However, he was also honest about the downsides of growing older, which from his perspective, includes a decrease in durability and agility. "I don't like the lack of stamina. The stamina you used to take for granted, and now you're hoping for more," he disclosed.
Nevertheless, the actor remains immensely grateful, regardless of the undesired factors he may experience as a result of getting older. One such element that sits at the top of his list of things to be thankful for is his family.
"I'm grateful for a good marriage, good kids, no problem, my health," Michael Douglas stated. The doting patriarch is a devoted husband to famous actress Catherine Zeta-Jones and a loving father to their children, Carys Zeta Douglas and Dylan Michael Douglas. While he and Catherine might be A-listers, they lead a normal life with their beloved family.
One such "normal" activity that the patriarch of their family likes to engage in is cooking for his kids. When the couple's marriage hit rock bottom in 2013, he moved out of their New York penthouse overlooking Central Park. Still, the Emmy Award winner regularly made his way there to make breakfast for his brood.
Michael went there every morning to whip up fluffy pancakes topped with maple syrup – which his children loved. A close family friend previously revealed that he even took a frying pan to work. Additionally, in the evenings, he would return home to watch television with his son and daughter before they went to sleep.
Meanwhile, the family matriarch also dotes on their children. In addition to Carys and Dylan, Catherine is also a loving stepparent to Michael's son Cameron Douglas, and a doting step-grandmother to her stepson's daughter, Lua Douglas. She gushed over her in February 2020 on social media.
The then-two-year-old posed wearing sunglasses and a bucket hat, and Catherine reportedly captioned the post, "My love. Lua Douglas. Rocking it!!!" Cameron welcomed his firstborn with his significant other, Viviane Thibes, in 2017.
Following the birth of the first Douglas grandchild, Michael revealed he and his spouse were "so happy to be her Bubba and Zeze." Months later, the new dad posted a picture of his infant child with Catherine and wrote, "Zeze and Lua. Watch out for this duo! #Thoroughlyblessed #Loved and #Spoiled.”
The actor has also previously spoken of his famous stepmother in affectionate terms. Initially, he was very frank about how things could have panned out differently between his father and Catherine because of her age.
He stated that in society, there are usually stories about young stepmoms who join an existing family only to sideline the kids from a previous union.
However, that did not happen with the brunette beauty because he quickly warmed up to her the first time they met. During that time, he suggested they be friends and gave her a warm welcome to the Douglas family. Cameron assured his stepmother that she was one of them.
Since that day, he revealed she has remained true to herself and has become the glue for their family. Catherine's love for her stepchild is mutual. When he released his book, "Long Way Home," in 2019, she celebrated him on social media,penning, "I am so proud of you Cam and I love you with all my heart."
Moreover, in June 2020, Catherine shared what she and her family were up to amid the lockdown. At the time, she and Michael were isolated in Irvington, New York, with their then-teenage son and daughter. While cooped up, the mother of two reportedly divulged that they were "Playing cards, playing Monopoly, having three meals a day."
She also mentioned, "We haven't killed each other. We've respected each other's space just to have the time to be together and to talk. It's been great." Catherine added that she enjoyed spending time with her loved ones in their 1930s Georgian-style home.
Besides that, Catherine also showed off her piano skills with her pet dog, Taylor. She joked on social media that her pup was her "biggest fan" when playing the musical instrument. The Academy Award winner's son Dylan has also shown an interest in playing the piano but failed to impress his younger sister Carys with his skills.
Their mom shared a glimpse into their lives again in November 2021 when she posted a clip of them celebrating Thanksgiving while having dinner. "Happy Thanksgiving to all. So much to be thankful for," Catherine penned alongside the video upload. They feasted on her favorite stuffed pears prepared by Carys.
The "Chicago" star's husband also gave fans a glimpse of the festivities from their evening, which included a piano singalong with relatives. Michael captioned his post, "Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! Wishing you all a wonderful and safe holiday weekend!"
In their free time, Michael and Catherine like to go on walks together. "We'll walk around a golf course together for four hours at a time," she disclosed.
Apart from spending quality time with her husband, Catherine busies herself with hobbies, like sewing. In April 2021, she posted a video of her and her mother sewing together.
"As you can see, my mom and I have been working like little beavers building a dam," the Tony Award winner said in the clip. She then showed her fans how she and her mother worked together using sewing machines to make cushions and curtains.
Catherine and Michael were on summer holiday at the time and were joined by her parents at his coastal estate in Mallorca, near Valldemossa.
