Michael Douglas bows out - No plans to continue acting

At 80, the Oscar-winning actor says he has no plans to return to acting - opting instead for a quieter life, far from the Hollywood spotlight.
Text: Marcus Persson
Published 2025-07-06

Michael Douglas, a sprightly 80 (well, sort of), has announced he's stepping back from acting - at least for now. After nearly 60 years in the business and no new roles since 2022, the Hollywood legend says it's time to hit pause. In a candid statement to his fans, he expressed his desire to avoid becoming "just another old guy wheeled onto set like a corpse." Blunt, but fair - and honestly, pretty reasonable given his age.

His battle with cancer has also played a role in this decision. While Douglas stops short of calling it a full retirement, he makes it clear that he has no plans for a comeback and is, for now, bowing out gracefully. He's currently involved in a small independent film project, but otherwise, he'd rather spend time with his wife, Catherine Zeta-Jones, than chase down another big production.

After decades of nonstop work, Douglas is choosing rest, recovery, and family over the grind of yet another role. And while he's leaving the door slightly ajar, the message is clear: Michael Douglas is stepping away - for the foreseeable future.

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