Michael Douglas’ co-writer reveals if actor warned exes before exposing affairs - as second shock romance is revealed
Michael Douglas has confirmed he did call his famous exes before dropping multiple relationship bombshells in new memoir One Helluva Ride.
Co-writer Shane Salerno revealed the 82-year-old actor reached out to former screen partners – including newly detailed flame Jeanne Tripplehorn and Kathleen Turner – to ensure they were comfortable with the stories being shared.
Michael Douglas with current Catherine Zeta-Jones, who have been married since 2000. Getty
Salerno said the two-time Oscar winner was “incredibly protective” over the romances Douglas detailed during an interview with PEOPLE.
“I didn’t name anybody for the sake of notches on your holster or something like that,” Douglas explained to the publication.
“These are people that I’ve had relationships with in my life.”
In his memoir, Douglas revealed he had a secret affair with actress Turner, now 72, while filming their 1984 blockbuster Romancing the Stone despite denying it for decades.
At the time, Douglas was separated from his then-wife Diandra Douglas, and he claimed in the book they were both having extramarital affairs during that period.
“The truth is that during the production of Romancing the Stone, Kathleen and I fell hard for each other,” Douglas continued.
Elsewhere in the memoir, Douglas also revealed a second secret romance with 1992 Basic Instinct co-star Tripplehorn, now 63.
Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner in Romancing the Stone. 20th Century Fox
The actor was married to Douglas (née Luker) at the time, mother to his son Cameron, now 47.
“The truth is, I fell very hard for Jeanne despite our nearly 20-year age difference,” Douglas wrote in his book, according to an expert published by Page Six.
“In fact, I was ready to officially leave my wife for Jeanne. I was crazy about her.”
Douglas has revealed he had a relationship with Basic Instinct co-star Jeanne Tripplehorn. Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images
Michael Douglas in 1992 thriller Basic Instinct. YouTube/@studiocanaluk
Douglas wrote that he ultimately chose not to end a nearly 20-year marriage to jump into another serious relationship.
“My relationship with Jeanne lasted through production, then we went our separate ways,” he recalled.
He thinks of Tripplehorn as an “amazing actress and truly terrific woman” that he was fortunate to spend his time with.
Michael and Diandra Douglas were married 1977 to 2000. Getty
Douglas and his ex-wife finalised their divorce in 2000. Following their split, the Fatal Attraction star tied the knot with now wife Catherine Zeta-Jones.
Douglas and Zeta-Jones have welcomed on Dylan, 26, and daughter Carys, 23, together.
