History of Michael Douglas in Timeline
Michael Douglas is a highly acclaimed American actor and producer recognized for his extensive career and contributions to the film industry. He has received prestigious awards, including two Academy Awards, five Golden Globe Awards, and a Primetime Emmy Award. His influence is further solidified by honors like the Cecil B. DeMille Award and the AFI Life Achievement Award, marking him as a significant figure in the entertainment world.
1910: Death of Thomas Newbold Dill
In 1910, Thomas Newbold Dill, Michael Douglas's great-grandfather, passed away. He was a merchant, politician, and mayor of the City of Hamilton.
1916: Birth of Kirk Douglas
In 1916, Kirk Douglas, Michael Douglas's father, was born.
1923: Birth of Diana Dill
In 1923, Diana Dill, Michael Douglas's mother, was born.
September 25, 1944: Michael Douglas Born
On September 25, 1944, Michael Kirk Douglas was born. He is an American actor and film producer who has received numerous accolades.
1947: Birth of Joel Douglas
In 1947, Joel Douglas, Michael Douglas's younger brother, was born.
1955: Birth of Peter Douglas
In 1955, Peter Douglas, one of Michael Douglas's paternal half-brothers, was born.
1958: Birth of Eric Douglas
In 1958, Eric Douglas, one of Michael Douglas's paternal half-brothers, was born.
February 1962: Bryna Productions purchased "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest"
In February 1962, Bryna Productions purchased the rights to the novel "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest".
1968: Received B.A. from UC Santa Barbara
In 1968, Michael Douglas received his B.A. in dramatic art from the University of California, Santa Barbara.
November 24, 1969: Formed Bigstick Productions
On November 24, 1969, Michael Douglas formed his first independent film production company, Bigstick Productions, Limited.
1971: Received Rights to "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest"
In late 1971, Michael Douglas received the rights to the novel "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" from his father, Kirk Douglas.
1972: Starred in "The Streets of San Francisco"
From 1972 to 1976, Michael Douglas starred alongside Karl Malden in the TV series "The Streets of San Francisco".
1975: Produced "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest"
In 1975, Michael Douglas produced "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest", after acquiring the rights to the novel.
December 1976: Became Head of The Bryna Company with brother Peter
In December 1976, Michael Douglas and his brother Peter became head of their father's film production company, The Bryna Company.
1976: Starred in "The Streets of San Francisco"
From 1972 to 1976, Michael Douglas starred alongside Karl Malden in the TV series "The Streets of San Francisco".
1978: Departed The Bryna Company
By 1978, Michael Douglas departed from The Bryna Company to focus exclusively on producing through his own Bigstick Productions.
1978: Starred in "Coma"
In 1978, after leaving "The Streets of San Francisco", Michael Douglas played a hospital doctor in the medical thriller "Coma".
June 1979: Appointed Jack Brodsky as Executive Vice-president of Bigstick Productions
In June 1979, Michael Douglas appointed Jack Brodsky Executive Vice-president of Bigstick Productions.
1979: Starred in "The China Syndrome"
In 1979, Michael Douglas starred in "The China Syndrome", a film about a nuclear power plant accident.
1984: Starred in "Romancing the Stone"
In 1984, Michael Douglas starred in "Romancing the Stone".
1985: Starred in "The Jewel of the Nile"
In 1985, Michael Douglas starred in "The Jewel of the Nile".
1986: Bigstick Productions Partnered with Mercury Entertainment
In 1986, Bigstick Productions partnered with Mercury Entertainment, a company backed by producer Michael Phillips, to produce independently financed features.
1987: Starred in "Fatal Attraction" and "Wall Street"
In 1987, Michael Douglas starred in the thriller "Fatal Attraction" and played Gordon Gekko in Oliver Stone's "Wall Street", for which he received an Academy Award.
1987: Won Best Actor Academy Award for Wall Street
In 1987, Michael Douglas won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Gordon Gekko in Oliver Stone's "Wall Street".
1989: Starred in "The War of the Roses" and "Black Rain"
In 1989, Michael Douglas starred in "The War of the Roses", also starring Kathleen Turner and Danny DeVito, and "Black Rain", filmed in Osaka, Japan.
1989: Starred in "The War of the Roses"
In 1989, Michael Douglas starred in "The War of the Roses".
1992: Founded Third Stone Records
In 1992, Michael Douglas founded Third Stone Records, a short-lived label distributed by Atlantic Records.
1992: Starred in "Basic Instinct"
In 1992, Michael Douglas starred in "Basic Instinct".
1993: Starred in "Falling Down"
In 1993, Michael Douglas starred in "Falling Down".
March 1994: Formed Douglas/Reuther Productions
In March 1994, Michael Douglas announced that he had formed a new film production company, Douglas/Reuther Productions, in partnership with Steven Reuther.
1995: Starred in "The American President"
In 1995, Michael Douglas starred in "The American President".
November 19, 1997: Formed Furthur Films
On November 19, 1997, Michael Douglas formed his fourth film production company, Furthur Films.
1997: Starred in "The Game"
In 1997, Michael Douglas starred in "The Game".
1998: Received Crystal Globe Award
In 1998, Michael Douglas received the Crystal Globe award for outstanding artistic contribution to world cinema at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival.
1998: Appointed UN Messenger of Peace
In 1998, Michael Douglas was appointed as a United Nations Messenger of Peace.
2000: Married Catherine Zeta-Jones
In 2000, Michael Douglas married actress Catherine Zeta-Jones.
2000: Starred in "Traffic" and "Wonder Boys"
In 2000, Michael Douglas starred in "Traffic" and "Wonder Boys".
2001: Starred in "Don't Say a Word"
In 2001, Michael Douglas starred in "Don't Say a Word", filmed shortly before his marriage to Zeta-Jones.
2003: Starred in "It Runs in the Family" and "The In-Laws"
In 2003, Michael Douglas starred in "It Runs in the Family", which featured three generations of his family, and "The In-Laws".
2004: Death of Eric Douglas
In 2004, Eric Douglas, one of Michael Douglas's paternal half-brothers, passed away.
2004: Presented Monte Cristo Award to Karl Malden
In 2004, Michael Douglas presented Karl Malden with the Monte Cristo Award of the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center for the Lifetime Achievement Award.
2004: Received Cecil B. DeMille Award
In 2004, Michael Douglas was awarded the Cecil B. DeMille Award at the Golden Globes.
2006: Starred in "The Sentinel"
In 2006, Michael Douglas starred in and produced the action-thriller "The Sentinel".
2006: Starred in "You, Me, and Dupree"
In 2006, Michael Douglas was Mr. Thompson in "You, Me, and Dupree".
July 1, 2009: Death of Karl Malden
On July 1, 2009, Karl Malden, Michael Douglas's mentor, passed away.
2009: Starred in "Solitary Man"
In 2009, Michael Douglas starred in "Solitary Man".
2009: Received AFI Lifetime Achievement Award
In 2009, Michael Douglas was honored with the American Film Institute's Lifetime Achievement Award and the David O. Selznick Achievement Award.
2010: Reprised Role in Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps
In 2010, Michael Douglas reprised his role as Gordon Gekko in the sequel "Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps", also directed by Oliver Stone.
2011: Voiced Waylon on Phineas and Ferb and Starred in Haywire
In 2011, Michael Douglas voiced Waylon on Disney Channel's cartoon Phineas and Ferb and starred in the dramatic thriller Haywire. He was also honored by the French Minister of Culture.
2012: Honored with Monte Cristo Award
In 2012, Michael Douglas was honored with the Monte Cristo Award for Lifetime Achievement.
May 2013: Cousin Becomes Bishop of Bermuda
In May 2013, Nicholas Dill, a cousin of Michael Douglas, was installed as the Bishop of Bermuda.
2013: Starred in "Behind the Candelabra" and "Last Vegas"
In 2013, Michael Douglas starred in "Behind the Candelabra", playing Liberace, and "Last Vegas".
2013: Won Emmy Award for "Behind the Candelabra"
In 2013, Michael Douglas won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie for portraying Liberace in the HBO film "Behind the Candelabra".
2014: Starred in "And So It Goes" and "Beyond the Reach"
In 2014, Michael Douglas starred in "And So It Goes" alongside Diane Keaton and he produced and starred in "Beyond the Reach".
2015: Death of Diana Dill
In 2015, Diana Dill, Michael Douglas's mother, passed away.
2015: Portrayed Hank Pym in "Ant-Man"
In 2015, Michael Douglas portrayed Hank Pym in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, beginning with "Ant-Man".
2018: Starred in "The Kominsky Method"
From 2018 to 2021, Michael Douglas played an aging acting coach in the Netflix comedy series "The Kominsky Method", and earned a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor.
2020: Death of Kirk Douglas
In 2020, Kirk Douglas, Michael Douglas's father, passed away.
2021: Starred in "The Kominsky Method"
From 2018 to 2021, Michael Douglas played an aging acting coach in the Netflix comedy series "The Kominsky Method", and earned a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor.
2024: Starred in "Franklin"
In 2024, Michael Douglas portrayed Benjamin Franklin in the Apple TV+ miniseries "Franklin".
