Michael Douglas discusses his son Cameron's 'very painful and difficult' battle with drug addiction and imprisonment

By Eve Buckland For Mailonline

Published: 04:43 EDT, 31 July 2018 | Updated: 03:47 EDT, 1 August 2018

His son Cameron was released from prison in 2016, after completing a seven year stint for drug possession.

And Michael Douglas has candidly discussed his firstborn's 'very painful and difficult' imprisonment and battle with drug addiction in a new interview with The Radio Times.  

Cameron, 39, whose mother is the actor's first wife Diandra Luker - was jailed for drug possession in 2010 and had his sentence almost doubled in 2011 after he was found trying to sell prescription pills to other inmates. 

Recovery: Michael Douglas has candidly discussed his son Cameron's 'very painful and difficult' imprisonment and battle with drug addiction in a new interview with The Radio Times 

Recovery: Michael Douglas has candidly discussed his son Cameron's 'very painful and difficult' imprisonment and battle with drug addiction in a new interview with The Radio Times 

The Oscar winner, 73, said he was delighted Cameron had finally turned his life around. 

He said: 'My son’s struggle was a nightmare. It was stressful for all involved, very painful and difficult. I’m happy to say he’s in wonderful shape now. 

'He’s been out of federal prison a year and a half and he’s actively pursuing his career.'     

The eldest son of the Hollywood actor welcomed his daughter Lua with his partner Viviane Thibes, 40, in December, one year after completing his seven-year prison sentence.

On the up: The Oscar winner, 73, said: 'My son¿s struggle was a nightmare. It was stressful for all involved, very painful and difficult. I¿m happy to say he¿s in wonderful shape now'

On the up: The Oscar winner, 73, said: 'My son’s struggle was a nightmare. It was stressful for all involved, very painful and difficult. I’m happy to say he’s in wonderful shape now'

News of Cameron's first baby joy and Michael's first grandchild broke in August, with a source telling People: 'Everyone is thrilled for him. Michael is looking forward to being a grandfather.'    

Lua's arrival comes one year after Cameron was released from prison after serving seven years for drug possession. 

The star - who appeared in 2003's It Runs In The Family with his dad Michael as well as grandfather Kirk Douglas, 101 - has been sober ever since.

After five decades in the film industry, Michael is about to appear onscreen as Dr Hank Pym in Ant-Man and the Wasp, the follow-up to 2015's Ant-Man.

New father: The eldest son of the Hollywood actor welcomed his daughter Lua with his partner Viviane Thibes, 40, in December, one year after completing his seven-year prison sentence

New father: The eldest son of the Hollywood actor welcomed his daughter Lua with his partner Viviane Thibes, 40, in December, one year after completing his seven-year prison sentence

Despite his career continuing to go from strength to strength, the star revealed that he feared his acting career would end when he was diagnosed with stage-4 throat cancer. Many feared the worst. 

He said his acclaimed role as Liberace in 2013's Behind The Candelabra brought with it a certain poignancy as he believed it would be his final role.    

He said: 'That to me was the most valuable part I ever got offered. It was a time where I thought, ‘Maybe I’ll never act again.’'

Shooting was delayed for the actor to recuperate and regain weight, which he said was crucial to the film's success and allowed him to 'rehearse in a way I never had before.' 

Next chapter: The eldest son of the Hollywood actor welcomed his daughter Lua with his partner Viviane Thibes, 40, in December, one year after completing his seven-year prison sentence

Next chapter: The eldest son of the Hollywood actor welcomed his daughter Lua with his partner Viviane Thibes, 40, in December, one year after completing his seven-year prison sentence

The star said he is blissfully happy with how his life has turned out, saying: 'I’m a happy camper' while adding his health, career, marriage and children are all doing well.

Speaking about life with wife Catherine and their two children Dylan, 17, and Carys, 16, on the Lorraine show Michael said: 'Catherine is wonderful it's a great time, Dylan is off to college next year, my oldest son is acting, he made me a grandfather, it's great, I'm really happy about it.'

Michael added that despite the joy at the new arrival, he is yet to feel the 'empty nest syndrome' - felt my many parents when their children move out - as his youngest daughter Carys, 15, is still living at home.

Out now: The full interview with Michael can be found in the August edition of the Radio Times

Out now: The full interview with Michael can be found in the August edition of the Radio Times

'I still have a kid in the house, grandchildren are great when you're an empty nester, then you're so happy to have a little baby back,' he said.  

The Mask of Zorro star Catherine recently admitted she's had enough of being modest about her success, age-defying good looks and marriage to Hollywood royalty Michael. 

In one of her most candid interviews to date, the Welsh actress unapologetically revealed to The Mirror: 'I’m sick of being humble. I really am. So sorry I’m rich, so sorry I’m married to a movie star, so sorry I’m not so bad looking.’

Catherine, who has been in the entertainment business since the age of nine, has now confessed that she wants to enjoy the hard work behind her professional and personal success.

The screen star explained: 'The rest of my life is a joy because I’ve got two beautiful kids and a healthy, happy husband. It’s all good, and I’m not going to be humble for that either.'

'Happy camper': The star said he is blissfully happy with how his life has turned out, saying: his health, career, marriage to Catherine Zeta Jones and children are all doing well.

'Happy camper': The star said he is blissfully happy with how his life has turned out, saying: his health, career, marriage to Catherine Zeta Jones and children are all doing well.


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Michael Douglas discusses his son Cameron's imprisonment

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