Michael Douglas Labeled ‘Frail’ In Red Carpet Appearance With 21-Year-Old Daughter Who Endures ‘Grandpa’ Jokes

Sep 11, 2023

Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones have gone through a lot of ups and downs. Their lives have changed a great deal since they moved between the United States and Bermuda with their children Dylan Douglas and Carys Zeta-Douglas. Overcoming the pressure of being the daughter of a Hollywood actor and granddaughter of Kirk Douglas, another famous celebrity, it is commendable to see Carys carving out a niche for herself. Although she isn’t necessarily interested in acting, Carys is following other passions of her own — ones that are more than achievable given the notable fame of her parents and her late grandfather. Like her mother — noted style icon and actress — Carys seems to have an interest and eye for fashion and even has had the opportunity to pursue it!

Carys’ mother, Zeta-Jones, aspired to be an actress from a young age. Despite her family’s humble background, she made it to Hollywood and became a breakthrough actress in the ’90s and early 2000s. Carys’ father, Michael, is also a prominent actor and producer in Hollywood, with his father, Kirk, being a classic Hollywood staple in the acting industry. Carys’ parents got married in New York on Nov. 11, 2000, after Michael officially got divorced from his previous wife, Diandra Luker. Zeta-Jones and Michael share more than just an affinity for acting; they also share a birthday on Sept. 25, but 25 years apart.

On an episode of "The Kelly Clarkson Show," Michael explained how the age gap between him and his wife has even caused confusion for people when it comes to his daughter. On June 8, 2021, Michael confessed to show host Kelly Clarkson how people mistake his daughter Carys for his granddaughter.

Carys was born to her mother, Zeta-Jones and father, Michael, on April 3, 2003. She lived in Bermuda with her parents and younger brother, Dylan, until 2009, before the family settled down in rural New York State in 2016. Because the family has always been away from the hustle and bustle of Hollywood, Carys even admitted once that she didn’t even know her father was an actor.

Carys told Town & Country magazine in an interview:

“I thought my dad was a pancake maker. I didn’t know he was an actor. Honestly.”

Despite Carys not knowing her father’s profession for quite some time, the famous parenting pair made a point of making sure that Carys knew that she was living an extraordinary life. In 2017, she attended Fashion Week for the first time. The following year, Carys went to New York a second time and enjoyed the fashion shows and parties all over again, including those of Michael Kors and even Dolce & Gabbana. She was probably thrilled to be able to attend the event for the second year in a row, even though she was only a teenager.

Carys told Town & Country in her interview:

“Fashion has been so important in my life, because my mom is like a fashion icon to me. I’m always looking through her closet.” 

Carys even has her own favorite item from her mom Zeta-Jones's closet:

“She has this one thing, and it’s absolutely crazy. It’s this pink kimonoey coat, but it has this fur and these fringes. It’s just so cool.”

On June 8, 2021, Michael Douglas was featured on "The Kelly Clarkson Show" and opened up about a mix-up that happened to him at his daughter Carys’s high school graduation. All of the parents were congratulating one another when one parent said to him, “You must be so proud of your granddaughter.” Michael opened up about how the encounter was awkward as he said, “It’s a little rough.”

The 79-year-old actor laughed as he said:

“I’m not going to take it personal. I know they’re just trying to be nice.” 

The graduation was not traditional but rather virtual. Micheal told Clarkson:

“We had a lovely experience. It was a virtual graduation. We couldn’t actually be in the same room that she was in because of COVID protections and all of that.”

He continued as the two laughed:

“It was so wonderful and we’re so proud of her, but I’ve got to tell you, Kelly, it’s a little rough when you’re going out the doors and the other parents are saying, ‘Oh congratulations ... you must be so proud of your granddaughter.’”

Now that Carys has graduated with an international baccalaureate and her brother Dylan has graduated from Brown University, Zeta-Jones and Michael will have an empty nest. Michael spoke to the adjustment as he said:

“There is that moment when they’re gone and they’re out of the house ... and you look at each other and in the back of your mind, you’re thinking, ‘What are we going to talk about?’”

Since Zeta-Jones and Michael’s marriage has already lasted over two decades, we’re sure they’ll adjust to life with an empty house just fine.

Michael isn’t the only one who has to endure unwanted moments due to being a much older parent. Carys recounted how she was once affected so deeply when she walked into a drugstore and saw a scandalous tabloid headline about her father. 

“There’s this picture of my dad and it’s like, Michael Douglas Cancer Again, Dying In a Month. I just started crying. I was like, ‘Why didn’t my parents tell me this?!’ Only it wasn’t true. People just always want a story to tell,” she lamented.

She also said she had gotten used to the snide remarks over the years about her dad’s age. “People would be like, ‘Your grandpa’s here to pick you up,’” she gave as an example.

However, this hasn’t stopped Carys from loving and supporting her dad, as was the case during the 2023 Cannes Film Festival. She joined her parents on the red carpet, looking beautiful and very much her gorgeous mother’s daughter as she linked arms with her dad. Both she and Zeta-Jones also posed for a photo of them kissing Michael on the cheek from either side. 

While photos from the event captured nothing less than a loving and beautiful family, some did not have positive opinions of them, mostly targeting Michael over his aging looks. Users left comments such as “next role ....the mummy,” “Very frail,” and “He looks dead.” However, the nasty remarks are unlikely to get Michael’s spirits down, seeing as to how committed he is to being a father. He once said:

“I am consumed with being a father and with my responsibilities as a husband. I never anticipated starting a family at my age. I'm genuinely happy to let Catherine work, while I stay at home with the children. I cherish this time."

What do you think of the snide comments? Do you think Michael Douglas has a beautiful family? If so, let us know then pass this along to all the Douglas fans you know!