The Awkward Mistake At Michael Douglas' Daughter's Graduation
Michael Douglas just revealed a seriously awkward moment that went down at his daughter, Carys Zeta Douglas' graduation in May that has us totally cringing.
The 73-year-old star is the proud dad of three children and his brood has a pretty widespread collection of ages. Cameron Douglas, Michael's son with his former wife, Diandra Luker, was born in 1978. Michael also shares two children with his current wife, Catherine Zeta-Jones. Dylan Michael Douglas was born in 2000, while they welcomed Carys in 2003.
Michael gushed over Carys on her graduation day in a sweet Instagram post on May 21 when she shared a snap of the family of four smiling as the 18-year-old rocked her cap and gown. The first snap showed Dylan, Carys, Catherine, and himself all smiling together, while the second showed Dylan picking up his little sister. "Congratulations to Carys and the entire class of 2021! Your Mom and I are so proud of you!" the "Romancing the Stone" actor wrote in the caption. "We love you so much and we are so excited for your future as the best is yet to come! [Red heart emoji] Dad."
But while the pictures looked seriously sweet, it turns out the day wasn't quite as picture-perfect as it seemed on social media. Scroll on for the big reveal Michael just made.
Michael Douglas was mistaken for his 18-year-old daughter's grandfather
Michael Douglas spoke out about his and Catherine Zeta Jones' daughter, Carys Zeta Douglas' graduation day during a virtual appearance on "The Kelly Clarkson Show" on June 8. "It was so wonderful. I'm so proud of her," Michael told the "American Idol" winner, "But I gotta tell you, Kelly, it's a little rough when you're going out the doors and the other parents are saying, 'Oh, congratulations. Congratulations to you.' [They said] 'You must be so proud of your granddaughter.'" Ouch!
As for how Michael reacted? Well, it sounds like he (understandably) wasn't too thrilled, but responded, "'Well, I don't know, man. Yeah, okay.' I'm not going to take it personal, they're just trying to be nice." Michael was 58 when Carys was born, while Zeta-Jones was 33. Clarkson asked if seeing Carys graduate got the couple ready to have their home back to themselves, to which Michael confessed he was "scared" about the idea of becoming an empty nester. "You look at each other and go, 'Well, it's just you and me, babe,'" he said.
Well, if it's any consolation, we still think Michael Douglas looks pretty great for his age.
Michael Douglas said having kids in his 50s was 'extreme'
Michael Douglas clearly isn't always thrilled with what he has to deal with after having two of his kids in his 50s (for instance, being mistaken for his daughter's grandfather). However, he is open and honest about the situation and what it means to be a dad to younger children when you're older. "I don't know many parents my age who've got kids this age," he admitted to People (via Celebitchy) in 2013. Despite that, he added, "I don't say you have to go to my extreme, but there's nothing wrong with guys having kids in their 50s."
Douglas also addressed how having kids during your later years can be different from becoming a parent when you're younger. "In the early stages [of one's life], ambition rules," he claimed. He continued by explaining why that can be a conflicting issue if you're also a parent, saying, "Having children takes a lot of time to do properly, and sometimes people spread themselves too thin."
That's why this star made a major decision when it came to his kids and his role as a father.
Being an older father allows Michael Douglas to do this
Having children when you're older (or having children at all) isn't for everyone. But when it comes to Michael Douglas, becoming a father to kids later in life has allowed him to decide what kind of parent he wants to be and to be grateful for the people who are around him.
Coming from a famous family — his father was Hollywood icon Kirk Douglas — Michael became a successful actor in his own right, starring in movies like "Fatal Attraction," "Basic Instinct," and "Ant-Man," not to mention his popular series, "The Kominsky Method." However, these days, he's more focused on being a parent who's present. Back in 2010, the star talked to The Guardian about his future plans, saying, "From now on I'm going to spend all my efforts on the people I'm closest to."
"When you're younger you are so self-involved, self-obsessed," Michael said. He then explained how that had changed for him, saying that "as you get older, all of a sudden, you begin to appreciate relationships, be understanding about the foibles of life, more forgiving — and you've got more time for the kids. It makes for a much happier marriage and family environment." That sounds pretty wonderful to us!