Talk:Michael Douglas

from former Lithuania.

What are you talking about? Michael's father (Kirk Douglas) is American born. (67.239.52.34 (talk) 23:35, 27 January 2016 (UTC))

Somebody mixed up father and grandfather. According to Kirk Douglas' memoirs The Ragman's Son, his father = Michael's grandfather was indeed from the East, maybe the now Lithuania. Kirk Douglas spoke Russian and probably als Yiddish. He once did an interview in German where he had a Yiddish accent. 2001:8003:A070:7F00:2015:2FBA:369B:AA4D (talk) 04:36, 27 January 2023 (UTC)

Is this important to this article? The accent of his father when he spoke German? Dcs002 (talk) 00:07, 11 February 2023 (UTC)

Per Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Biography (MOS:BIO),what is the relevance of his Jewish ancestry to his background as an actor? ~2025-38114-22 (talk) 22:57, 2 December 2025 (UTC)

Filled out "other movies include..." Gotta love that IMDB ;-)

The first paragraph is total gibberish.

Really? What's wrong with it. It says who he is and what he does. — Frecklefoot | Talk 16:21, 1 August 2006 (UTC)

-Ummm, I don't think that Michael Douglas is a dinosaur.

-The "Personal" section is a word for word duplicate of his Bio on IMDB.

The bio lacks some fairly important info - crucially his career which has been partially as a highly successful producer (Cuckoo's Next, Romancing the stone etc), and his acting. The career section lacks balance and has too much editorialising. Major Bloodnok 13:21, 28 March 2007 (UTC)

The bio also lacks even more crucial info relating to how a college grad in 1968, at the peak of the Vietnam War, managed to avoid military service. Perhaps Douglas was able to get deferments until the lottery came in, but the article simply ignores the most important issues for young men of that era -- the draft and the war. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 216.49.20.187 (talk) 05:39, 31 January 2014 (UTC)

the career section doesn't mention his starring role in the film Traffic, which was nominated for best picture at the oscars in 2000. Sfrostee 28 February 2008. —Preceding comment was added at 22:19, 28 February 2008 (UTC)

Last addition in "Personal Life": Please get this right, he was diagnosed with throat cancer, not esophageal cancer, this is not the same. He currently has a squamous cell carcinoma of the throat. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Mamarok (talk • contribs) 11:55, 18 August 2010 (UTC)

I read in an AP article that Douglas has been clinically treated for sexually compulsive behavior. Is this true? Is it notable enough to be included in an article?--MichaelProcton (talk) 05:13, 28 October 2009 (UTC)

I am a big fan of Michael's dad, Kirk and find it odd that there is no notable mention of him in Mchael's geneology here. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 76.169.252.247 (talk) 10:53, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

The early life section states that he is Kirk's eldest son. Jim Michael (talk) 02:57, 28 December 2010 (UTC)

The article needs to mention the fact that Douglas is a heavy cigarette smoker. (92.3.206.40 (talk) 14:33, 13 October 2010 (UTC))

It is unsourced, and by placing it there, you are implying that smoking caused the cancer. That is pure speculation. See WP:RS, WP:BLP, and WP:NOR. Nymf _hideliho! 14:45, 13 October 2010 (UTC)

Douglas said himself in the Letterman interview that cigarettes and alcohol caused the cancer. In a 1996 interview he admitted smoking 40 cigarettes a day. (92.5.20.167 (talk) 16:18, 15 October 2010 (UTC))

WP:VERIFY. Nymf _hideliho! 16:21, 15 October 2010 (UTC)

Isn't it a bit soon to label Douglas a "cancer survivor"? The tumour was only detected in August, just a few months ago, and various reports online and in the newspapers state there is a 50% chance that it may return within the next five years. (HantersSpade (talk) 14:16, 12 January 2011 (UTC))

Partly true, but numerous sources have used the term "survivor" recently. If you find sources that state otherwise, you can add them for balance. --Wikiwatcher1 (talk) 02:59, 13 January 2011 (UTC)

It may be true that the tumour has gone but Douglas will have to wait until 2016 before he will definitely know if he has survived the cancer. (HantersSpade (talk) 13:35, 13 January 2011 (UTC))

Anyone who has had cancer and has recovered fits the criteria of the category. We don't have to wait for the 5 yr all-clear. I removed the cat earlier this month before he stated that he no longer has cancer. Jim Michael (talk) 16:19, 15 January 2011 (UTC)

What if his throat cancer returns this year, like it did with George Harrison? (HantersSpade (talk) 21:16, 15 January 2011 (UTC))

HantersSpade, my first reaction was to agree with you, until I read cancer survivor. The term is defined externally to include people who are living with cancer but not in the terminal phase. It could loosely be applied to any person who has been diagnosed with cancer and is still living. By the information that we accept as accurate for our own article on the subject, Douglas fits the bill. Rossrs (talk) 05:36, 16 January 2011 (UTC)

Never saw that link. But now that you pointed it out, I personally wouldn't accept it as accurate. The very first sentence in the lead, defining it, seems incorrect based on the source, which includes, ". . . currently undergoing treatment for cancer or have done so in the past . . . " And is it really useful to add, "who is still living"? Aren't all "survivors" typically still living? In any case, it would be hard to imagine someone just diagnosed with cancer thinking of themselves as a "survivor." Two cents worth ;) --Wikiwatcher1 (talk) 06:26, 16 January 2011 (UTC)

That's true and worth a great deal more than two cents ;-) It's not a great article by any means, and I don't think a person falls under the heading of "survivor" as they're walking out the doctor's office after being given his or her diagnosis. I expect that something has to happen first, whether it's treatment, or the passage of time, or subsequent medical testing. I'm only looking at what is there to read. Further on, our article quotes the The National Cancer Institute - "An individual is considered a cancer survivor from the time of diagnosis, through the balance of his or her life." Again, where does it start, and is a person truly a "survivor" in their final minutes when nothing's keeping them alive but science? I don't know. In Douglas's case, he has had treatment, and some time has passed. Broadly speaking, and based on external definitions of the term, I still think he meets it. As our article says, it's a loaded term and that's exactly why there are a number of sources using it. It's emotive and it grabs attention. On a side note, another phrase that I hate, hate, hate is "lost his/her battle with cancer". I'm aghast to see a person with cancer demoted from "survivor", with its mix of accurate and inaccurate positive connotations, to "loser" with its mix of accurate and inaccurate negative connotations, just because his or her body could no longer survive against the disease. That's getting off-topic a little, but it's another example of the emotive language that surrounds discussion of this illness, and many others, to the point that it gains legitimacy by being used by legitimate news sources. I'm not sure how we can rise above that, and perhaps, as this terminology is so widely used, we can't. Rossrs (talk) 07:38, 16 January 2011 (UTC)

We should keep him in the category, unless he develops cancer again, in which case we will swap the cat for Category:Cancer patients. 'Battle with' is an emotive and inappropriate euphemism that should not be used to describe disease and / or death on any encyclopedia, unless it is in a quote from a relevant person and from a reliable source. Jim Michael (talk) 00:22, 30 January 2011 (UTC)

On Catherine Zeta-Jones's page, it says the couple met in 1998. On Michael Douglas's page, it incorrectly states that the couple met in 2000- 2 months after their son was born. Clearly, the date should read 1998. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 12.42.50.51 (talk) 21:06, 13 January 2011 (UTC)

It says they did a movie together in 2000. --Wikiwatcher1 (talk) 22:05, 13 January 2011 (UTC)

C'mon, be serious, the guy was born at least 8 or 9 years before 1952. He's closer to 70 than 60, I swear. Imdb and many other sources have his birthyear as 1944, which seems acceptable. And he's Kirk Douglas's ELDEST son. These are bad errors. Cameron's his son born in 1978, not his brother. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 78.149.204.74 (talk) 18:26, 24 February 2011 (UTC)

Another problem in the article is that it ignores the context of when he started working -- 1969, the height of the Vietnam War, when he was young and presumably healthy. What did he do about the Number One issue of that era? — Preceding unsigned comment added by ~2025-30994-53 (talk) 06:29, 23 December 2025 (UTC)

Reading through the early years section, I noticed that it says he decided not to play the part in Cuckoo's nest, because, he thought he was too old. It then goes on to say that the part was offered to the "young Jack Nicholson". The simple truth is that Jack is a full 7 years older than Michael. As neither line is sourced as a quote, I assume this is just a simple logic error. I know this is somewhat minor, but, Im just doing my best to help out. Cheers! — Preceding unsigned comment added by 68.104.152.78 (talk) 06:40, 31 July 2011 (UTC)

Add familytree 91.197.170.85 (talk) 12:13, 27 September 2011 (UTC)

We might wonder what happened to the first wife, Diandra Luker, since her 1995 divorce. 109.154.233.80 (talk) 23:36, 15 April 2013 (UTC)

Should we mention that his Throat Cancer is actually due to oral sex and not heavy smoking? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 72.223.99.184 (talk) 08:16, 4 June 2013 (UTC)

The supporting image File:Michael Douglas - Sharon Stone.jpg is being restored as it directly helps readers understand the text in the section of "Types of roles," ie. "his characters as the 'Everyman who must contend with, and be victimized by, these women and their raging, psychotic sexuality'." As WP:NFCC #8, requires "Contextual significance . . . if its presence would significantly increase readers' understanding of the topic, and its omission would be detrimental to that understanding," this non-free scene still accomplishes that. --Light show (talk) 18:03, 24 August 2013 (UTC)

In no way does this image help the reader understand this point significantly (which, per the image rationale, the uploader clearly misunderstands anyway.) Hullaballoo Wolfowitz (talk) 18:21, 24 August 2013 (UTC)

When Douglas' cancer was first announced in August 2010 it was widely speculated to be oropharyngeal cancer. Since he has now confirmed the original announcement was incorrect, does this mean he did in fact have oropharyngeal cancer? (92.11.192.70 (talk) 14:54, 5 February 2014 (UTC))

His birth name is Michael Issurovitch Demsky according to the study "Von Melvin Kaminsky zu Mel Brooks – Wie Hollywood sich einen Namen macht" by Nikola Kunz, mentioned in this article. Would need the study itself as reference, though. http://www.faz.net/aktuell/gesellschaft/menschen/hollywood-kuenstlernamen-kommen-aus-der-mode-13088135.html --92.224.254.132 (talk) 22:11, 8 August 2014 (UTC)

Added. The FAZ (Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung) is a respected major newspaper. --92.224.254.132 (talk) 22:23, 8 August 2014 (UTC)

That is Michael's real name, as he was born before his father began his film career and changed his name to Kirk Douglas. (Gavsopmas (talk) 12:40, 8 August 2015 (UTC))

I really doubt and question this. Kirk Douglas says: Douglas grew up as Izzy Demsky and legally changed his name to Kirk Douglas before entering the Navy during World War II.

But Michael Douglas was not born until 1944, after his father was discharged from the Army. Thus, when he was born, his father was already "Kirk Douglas". -- Jack of Oz ^{[pleasantries]} 13:03, 8 August 2015 (UTC)

Kirk Douglas still used his real name, except for film roles. That is why his son was called Demsky. (Gavsopmas (talk) 18:40, 12 August 2015 (UTC))

You say that, but where is the proof? Please don't just go around saying so-and-so is the case, unless you can cite a reference from a reliable source. -- Jack of Oz ^{[pleasantries]} 18:49, 12 August 2015 (UTC)

There are numerous articles online citing his real name. This needs to be in his Wikipedia page as Michael publicly acknowledged that he is Jewish this year. (Gavsopmas (talk) 18:59, 12 August 2015 (UTC))

Well, it doesn't gel with what we say about the date of his father's name change, so we really need to get this sorted out, and not just by vaguely mentioning "numerous articles online". We need unimpeachable sources. If one goes to the trouble of legally changing one's name (and I speak as one who's done that), what purpose is served by using the new name only in certain contexts but continuing to use the original name in other contexts? Or ignoring the name change when naming one's children? -- Jack of Oz ^{[pleasantries]} 19:07, 12 August 2015 (UTC)

Kirk never wanted to change his name and remained proud of his Jewish heritage. It is likely he wanted his sons to have Jewish names too. He only used "Kirk Douglas" for his acting career. (Gavsopmas (talk) 15:57, 15 August 2015 (UTC))

This is Wikipedia. We deal with facts not what you personally think is "likely" based on your own thoughts and opinions! (Sellpink (talk) 21:10, 20 January 2023 (UTC))

Gavsopmas, please stop posting unsubstantiated statements and outright falsehoods. If these were true you'd be able to cite a source and not just insist that this is the case without ANY evidence. (Sellpink (talk) 21:17, 20 January 2023 (UTC))

Need "what" "sorted out" exactly? This Gavsopmas is simply making unsubstantiated claims that are refuted by know facts. We don't have to debate every ignoramus who posts this complete idiocy and treat it like they have a legitimate argument. If he had a valid contention it would be proven by facts and he doesn't have any. He simply insists, without evidence, that this is the case. Why would you engage in an interaction with such an uninformed and clearly ignorant person? There is no good faith here when someone arrogantly assumes that they should be just taken at their word sans facts! (Sellpink (talk) 21:22, 20 January 2023 (UTC))

Publicly stating your religion has NOTHING to do with your name. Michael Douglas was born with the name Michael Kirk Douglas. Anyone claiming otherwise is peddling misinformation and ignorance. (Sellpink (talk) 21:12, 20 January 2023 (UTC))

That isn't true. His name is Douglas and has always been. Please undertake some due diligence to assure factual accuracy before posting. Thank you (Sellpink (talk) 17:49, 20 January 2023 (UTC))

So what? You say it's a "respected newspaper" even if that's the case this is not true and calling something "respected" doesn't make something more factually likely. What is your point? (Sellpink (talk) 21:14, 20 January 2023 (UTC))

I have no clue as to who that nut is but Michael Kirk Douglas is the subject's birth name. We can't answer to every online kook spreading misinformation. (Sellpink (talk) 17:48, 20 January 2023 (UTC))

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In the family tree, there is a typo in the name of Lisa Schroeder. It's written as Schoeder. Pvhuf (talk) 19:11, 6 February 2020 (UTC)

 Done Eggishorn (talk) (contrib) 23:47, 27 February 2020 (UTC)

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Please change "Diandra Luker, the daughter of an Austrian diplomat.[44][45]" to

"Diandra Luker, the daughter of an American Naval Officer, later a diplomatic attache', and the widowed Australian daughter of a blast furnace foreman, whom he had met and married while stationed in Sydney at the end of WWII2601:14D:8702:93A0:BCCA:1AC6:F82:D957 (talk) 20:58, 9 October 2020 (UTC)."

This can be verified via a search of Diandra's birth and travel records in Ancestry.com. 2601:14D:8702:93A0:BCCA:1AC6:F82:D957 (talk) 20:58, 9 October 2020 (UTC)

Ancestry.com is not a reliable source, we'd need a published source that has mentioned this. – Thjarkur (talk) 21:05, 9 October 2020 (UTC)

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One of Michael Douglas's finest film, the plot of which is very relevant today is the 1983 release of THE STAR CHAMBER. The fact that it's not listed here leads me to believe he simply doesn't get enough credit for his OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE in this film. 50.237.254.18 (talk) 07:53, 29 November 2023 (UTC)

 Not done: it's not clear what changes you want to be made. Please mention the specific changes in a "change X to Y" format and provide a reliable source if appropriate. Liu1126 (talk) 10:16, 29 November 2023 (UTC)

Also noting that The Star Chamber does appear in the article. I'm not sure what information the IP wants to add. Liu1126 (talk) 10:18, 29 November 2023 (UTC)

Philanthropy

This edit request by an editor with a conflict of interest has now been answered.

1. Currently, this article does not include any of Michael Douglas' philanthropic activity. I am asking to add the following Philanthropy section to the article:
 :
Philanthropy

In a 2016 interview to Town & Country magazine, Douglas described his philanthropic giving as the “sprinkle approach”. He has given to over 70 organizations including Memorial Sloan-Kettering, the hospital where he was treated for cancer.[1]
Douglas is a benefactor of the Perelman Performing Arts Center in New York City. He attended the ribbon-cutting opening ceremony in September 2023.[2][3]
He is also a supporter of PEN America and has presented awards at the organization's annual galas.[4][5]
In 1999, Douglas funded the establishment of UC San Francisco’s Michael Douglas Pediatric Brain Tumor Research Center.[6]
Douglas is a supporter of the Clinton Global Initiative, part of the Clinton Foundation.[7][8] In 2023, Douglas voiced the opening film, "Keep Going!" shown at the opening event of the annual meeting.[9]
For 12 years, Douglas hosted the Michael Douglas and Friends Celebrity Golf Tournament, raising over $10 million for the Motion Picture & Television Fund.[10]
At the UC Santa Barbara, he supports the Center for Film, Television, and New Media.[11] He also founded and funds the Michael Douglas Foundation Visiting Artists Program for the Department of Theater and Dance.[6]
He serves on the Board of Trustees of The Douglas Foundation, founded by his father.[12] BenKalman2024 (talk) 20:58, 18 June 2024 (UTC)

Acting credits and awards

In the section entitled Acting credits and awards , under the link to the awards page, please add the following:

In 2006, Douglas received an honorary doctorate from University of St. Andrews in Scotland.^[13][14]

This content on Douglas' Genesis Prize award should be moved from the subsection of Personal life to the Acting credits and awards section as well:

Douglas was the recipient of the 2015 Genesis Prize, a $1 million prize awarded by the Genesis Prize Foundation for Jewish achievement. He donated the prize money to activities designed to raise awareness about inclusion and diversity in Jewish life, and to finding innovative solutions to pressing global and community problems.^[15]

Appreciate the input from the community. Pinging Gonnym and ARandomName123 who have been helpful and collaborative in the past. BenKalman2024 (talk) 21:01, 18 June 2024 (UTC)

Go ahead with above edits. P,TO 19104 (talk) (contribs) 15:22, 23 June 2024 (UTC)