Catherine Zeta-Jones Admits ‘Zorro’ Changed Her Life & Made Her Mrs. Michael Douglas

May 12, 2023 by apost team

Before becoming the significant other half of a Hollywood powerhouse, Catherine Zeta-Jones was a Welsh actress trying to make it in the U.S. in the early 1990s. But after starring as Elena Montero in "The Mask of Zorro" with Antonio Banderas in 1998, she catapulted into the A-list category and captivated the heart of established superstar Michael Douglas.

Zeta-Jones is the first to admit that she was "relatively unknown" when she came to America from Britain to act in Hollywood TV and films. Then just 27 years old, the actress' life changed in a major way when she learned that Steven Spielberg wanted her for the Zorro movie.

Born in Swansea, Wales in 1969, Zeta-Jones was active on the school stage at a young age. As a star in the making, she left school at 15 to become an actress in London. 

By the time she was 17 years old in 1987, Zeta-Jones was working as an understudy on the West End and was subsequently asked to lead the production of "42nd Street" for two years. She then made her screen debut in the adaptation of "1001 Nights" in 1990. After starring in a string of British movies, Zeta-Jones was cast in the TV iteration of  "Titanic," where Spielberg spotted her. Zeta-Jones was not the original choice to play Elena Montero, but Spielberg flew her to audition in Mexico, where she enthralled the director.  

While promoting "The Mask of Zorro" at the Deauville Film Festival in 1996, Zeta-Jones learned from Banderas that Douglas, who was already a successful star in the 1980s, wanted to meet her. However, their first meeting during the movie premiere was not exactly winning by any standards. 

During a 2016 interview on "The Jonathan Ross Show," Douglas said that he blew his chances with Zeta-Jones on their first meeting because he used a cheesy pick-up line. 

"I said to her after about half an hour, 'You know, I'm going to be the father of your children," Douglas revealed, per E! News. "It sounded good, and she said, 'You know, I've heard a lot about you, and I've seen a lot about you, and I think it's time I say goodnight.'" 

After sending his apology with some flowers, Zeta-Jones and Douglas started seeing each other for nine months and eventually realized they should be together. Their age difference was not an issue even for the actress' parents who are Douglas' contemporaries. 

After two years of dating, Zeta-Jones and Douglas married in 2000 and welcomed their first child, Dylan. They welcomed their second child, Carys, in 2003. Zeta-Jones was a happily-married mother of two when she returned to Mexico to film the sequel, "The Legend of Zorro." 

"I remember Michael even brought them to the set on my birthday, and my son got all dressed up for it," she told InStyle. 

The actress also said that working on these films gave her the chance to train with an Olympian to master the sword, to learn how to become a prolific horseback rider, and to work with fellow Welsh actor, the multi-awarded Anthony Hopkins. 

"That film did not just change my career, it changed my life entirely," Zeta-Jones said.

In November 2023, this Hollywood couple will be celebrating 23 years as husband and wife. They have been through the worst of Douglas' throat cancer diagnosis in 2010 and a brief separation in 2013, and come out stronger than ever.

apost.com

Catherine Zeta-Jones made quite an impression in “The Mask of Zorro.” Did you love her in this movie as well? What do you think of her enduring marriage to Michael Douglas? Do you know someone who loves the couple? Pass this story along!