Michael Douglas ‘no real intentions' of going back to acting
Douglas most recently starred as Benjamin Franklin in the Apple TV+ series Franklin in 2022 and said that unless something 'special' came along, it was time for him 'to stop'.
The actor, who is married to Welsh actress Catherine Zeta Jones, also spoke about how 'lucky' he was to have made a recovery from stage four cancer after undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatment and avoiding surgery that would have impacted his speech and removed parts of his jaw.
He said: 'I've had a very busy career. I have not worked since 2022, purposefully, because I realised I had to stop. I had been working pretty hard for almost 60 years, and I did not want to be one of those people who dropped dead on the set.
'I'm very happy with taking the time off. I have no real intentions of going back.
'I say I'm not retired, because if something special came up, I'd go back, but otherwise, I'm quite happy. Just like to watch my wife work.'
Douglas co-produced the film adaptation to Ken Kesey's novel, which explores themes of power and resistance as a rebellious convict arrives at a psychiatric hospital in 1963 where he encourages his fellow patients to take control of their lives and defy the tyrannical head nurse.
Starring Jack Nicholson and Louise Fletcher, the film was nominated for nine Oscars and took home five including the 1975 award for best picture.
When asked about the parallels between the film and current political environment in the US, Douglas said: 'I think our president's name has been mentioned enough in the short time that he's been president.
'And I look at it generally as the fact of how precious, how precious democracy is, how vulnerable it is, and how it always has to be protected, and we have to be reminded.
'Right now, our country is flirting with autocracy as some other democracies in this world.
'Democracy is not to be taken for granted, and I think it reminds us that we all need to make our efforts. It's not the job of somebody else.
'And of course, the disappointing thing is, politics now seem to be for profit.
'I myself am worried, I'm nervous, and I just think it's all of our responsibilities, not for somebody else to look out for us, but for us to each look out for ourselves.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The National
7 hours ago
- The National
Snide comment about the SNP's lack of action was factually incorrect
There have been a plethora of similar self-proclaimed 'radical' and 'left' parties and groupings founded over the past 60 or so years, but none of them has gained any significant and/or sustained degree of traction. READ MORE: Jeremy Corbyn's new outfit won't back indyref2. No British party will The inescapable fact is that the 'working classes' and the various other target groups identified by those parties simply chose not to support or vote for them! Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana no doubt have noble aims behind their decision to form a new party of the left south of the Border but I fear that they, like some present-day Don Quixote and Sancho Panza, will end up tilting at inanimate windmills, having traversed an arid and inhospitable landscape. In his column Mark Brown also filled up space by having a customary pop at the SNP. I took particular issue with his snide comment that 'The party ... has never so much as broken a window in the cause of independence'. I appreciate that the incident may have taken place before Mark's time, but I recall Jim Sillars nursing a heavily bandaged cut arm and hand sustained while seeking – via a window – to enter and occupy the old Royal High School building in Edinburgh in 1981 as part of the SNP's then civil disobedience campaign. It is not only BBC Scotland that get their 'facts' wrong! Brian McGarry Inverkeithing IAIN K of Dunoon in his Long Letter (Jul 11) makes an important point about the House of Lords, and the iniquity of 'Lords Spiritual', ie, 26 English Anglican bishops, in particular, influencing decisions on Scotland within the British constitution. No Scottish, Welsh or Northern Irish Anglican bishop sits in the House of Lords. Neither does any Roman Catholic bishop. It is the Scottish Episcopal Church that continues in communion with the Anglican family of churches, which includes the Episcopal Church in the USA, the first bishop of which was consecrated in Aberdeen by Scottish bishops in 1784. READ MORE: Ian Murray panned for 'disgraceful' U-turns as past motions resurface I recall two examples that The National has covered on English bishops in the House of Lords attempting to influence decisions upon Scotland: 1. 'Archbishop Sentamu to back UK's Brexit power grab on Holyrood' (March 22, 2018). 2. 'Lord [spiritual, Rt Rev, Julian Henderson, Bishop of Blackburn] suggests England should get a vote in 2023 Scottish independence referendum' (June 23, 2022). Another interesting point that Iain K provides is that the Church of England, until as late as 1870, was wary of providing schools for poor children as there was fear that an educated public could 'destabilise the establishment'. The reason I grew up in an Episcopalian family was because my late father, who was Aberdeenshire Liberal before joining with me to vote SNP with me on my first election in the 70s, commenced his education in 1920 at an Episcopal mission school in Peterhead. It was called the Chapel School. James M Aberdeen IT was certainly encouraging to read your article 'Government invests £85m to expand Hospital at Home service' (Jul 10), especially as the First Minister announced this investment while on a visit to Falkirk. However, why did I have to go to page 19 before I read such an important announcement, which ultimately impacts on us all, whether we have cause to use the wonderful services of our NHS or just assured that the service is there for us, free at the point of need? Catriona C Clark Falkirk WHY does Westminster make such a habit of looking at problems from the wrong end? Surely the right place to start looking for savings in the recent shambolic welfare pantomime is where the problems originate, within the management of the system? I saw figures from research some time ago which revealed that only 1% of payments made were fraudulent, but 7% were due to errors made by the department. Whether any of this is due to inefficient or too-complex systems, training of staff, understaffing or human error, it must be possible to reform the system, make it speedy and efficient, make it quick and easy to identify and reclaim any overpayments, and avoid most of them in the first place. Would this not save more than is proposed to be taken from the sick and disabled? P Davidson Falkirk YOUR leader of July 12 covers criticism of BBC Scotland for giving a prime slot to the 'small boats' story. Fair enough, but this never-ending immigration has (a) economic (b) demographic and (c) security repercussions here. READ MORE: BBC slated for pushing small boat crossings as top Scottish story To (a): Scots taxpayers have to stump up for accommodation and other costs; to (b): our population is now in overshoot due to increasing immigration by English folk, some of whom have moved from towns in which they no longer feel at home; and to (c): the security implications of the Channel being a barn door are huge. If I wished to avenge Gaza, I'd be smuggling in my people carrying phials of biotoxins, dirty bombs, etc etc, to be used anywhere in the UK (remember Glasgow Airport?). George Morton Rosyth
Daily Mirror
7 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Snoop Dogg investment in Welsh football club hinted at during side's kit launch
Snoop Dogg appeared in Swansea City's kit launch and the Championship side have hinted that the rapper could also buy a stake in the club, joining former Real Madrid star Luka Modric Swansea City have hinted that Snoop Dogg could invest in the club after the rapper helped launch their new home kit. Swansea unveiled their new kit by taking a jab at fellow Welsh club Wrexham, who are owned by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. Wrexham launched their new kit earlier this week and Reynolds shared a snap of himself wearing the shirt while holding on Instagram. "Been waiting a year for this kit to make its debut – and it did not disappoint," the Deadpool actor wrote. "Available NOW in the Wrexham online store. Link in stories. Dog not included." And Swansea poked fun at Reynolds' post, sharing an image of Snoop Dogg in their new kit with the caption: "Dogg included @SnoopDogg Nuthin' But A Wales Thang, the Jacks are ready. We're the Pride of Wales." They also posted a video of Snoop Dogg saying: "Hail to Wales and to Swansea City. It's your boy big Snoop Dogg. Coming to a hood near you. Oh yeah, these are the new jerseys." And Swansea have now hinted that the rapper may even invest in the club, with a spokesperson saying: "We appreciate the considerable interest and enthusiasm generated by Snoop Dogg's appearance in a Swansea City shirt. "While we are not in a position to share specifics with you all just yet, we will be able to provide more details soon and we're excited about what's to come." Swansea are currently under the ownership of Andy Coleman, Brett Cravatt, Nigel Morris and Jason Cohen, who took majority control from Jason Levien and Steve Kaplan last November. Former Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric is also a co-owner, having acquired a minority stake in the club back in April. "This is an exciting opportunity," the 2018 Ballon d'Or winner said at the time. "Swansea has a strong identity, an incredible fanbase and the ambition to compete at the highest level. Playing at the highest level, I believe I can provide my experience to the club. My goal is to support the club's growth in a positive way and to help to build an exciting future." Swansea's chief executive Tom Gorringe added: "I am excited that Luka has come on board as an investor and co-owner. There is no better role model in the game for our players, from the academy right through to the first team. "His endorsement of our ambition and willingness to support us on our journey will be instrumental as we aim to continue to improve our results on and off the pitch. "In our conversations, he has demonstrated his passion for the club, his knowledge of how we are performing, and a genuine passion to help us improve. I am really looking forward to working with him more closely to drive us forward." Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Daily Mirror
9 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
BB UK star 'Nasty Nick' makes 'strange' career move after quitting fame
Glyn Wise shot to fame as a contestant on the seventh series of Big Brother UK in 2006 and had a hit song about cooking an egg - but now he's become an ordained priest Rocketing to fame with a catchy egg-cooking song on Big Brother at 18, Glyn Wise has now officially started his new mission to "spread the good word of God" as a fully ordained priest. Back in 2006, a keen young chap kitted out as a lifeguard was prepping to enter the Big Brother house. As an avid enthusiast of the programme, he'd scrutinised every season with the goal to charm the socks off the producers during auditions by feigning a slightly mean streak. His strategy paid off, securing him a place on one of the most popular reality series ever. Yet this lad was far from the notorious 'Nasty' Nick Bateman; rather, he was Glyn Wise, the wholesome lad from Wales, juggling A-level studies. Overwhelmed with excitement just before walking into the house live on telly, he had an accident right there in his quirky lifeguard costume. Now 36, Glyn reminisced about the mishap with The Sun, confessing: "I went to the toilet and managed to sneak a look through the window and could see somebody going into the house. So then I got really excited, forgot what I was doing and I peed my pants." Despite the wet mishap, he got himself dry with a hand dryer and proceeded to win over audiences with his sincere and unworldly charm. He forged strong bonds with fellow housemates like Pete Bennett (still a mate and the ultimate winner), the late Nikki Grahame, and Welsh compatriot Imogen Thomas. Upon leaving the house, he was taken aback by the extent of his fame. His song about his first time cooking an egg became a popular ringtone, and he found himself performing it at nightclub appearances, where he was earning around £2,500 per gig. However, as his star began to fade, his anxiety levels rose. He chose to return to education, attending university and eventually becoming a teacher. Yet Glyn felt dissatisfied with "real life" compared to the celebrity lifestyle he had briefly experienced, so he decided to travel. He ended up using his qualifications to teach in Shanghai, China, where his passion for faith was rekindled. Glyn has been a practising Christian since attending Sunday school as a child. In a 2022 interview with Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary on This Morning, he explained how working as a teacher in China significantly influenced his faith. He said: "Christianity is growing on a massive scale in South East Asia, so I went to church there, and even other teachers were like, 'do you want to come to Bible study class'. "I grew in faith as I went along with that. The pastor or priest was talking and I felt like everything he was saying was directly to me, and what was amazing was they were bringing the Bible into 2022, making relevance to every walk of life and that's what I'd like to bring forward." Glyn had been diligently studying to become a priest at a university in Wrexham, delving into theology and the intricacies of the Bible. He explained: "I'm learning theology, going into depth about the Bible and learning how to cope with people, because you're not only the vicar, you're someone to listen, you're a psychiatrist, you have to help sort people's lives out and spread the good word. So there's a concoction of stuff that you need to learn before you become a vicar." Once he completed his studies, he became a curate and has been spending time ever since waiting to be ordained as a priest by the bishop. Sharing his excitement with fans on social media, he posted: "Done it! I've been accepted for Ordained Ministry with the Church in Wales." In a recent post, Glyn also revealed he'd met King Charles III during a placement at a church in Wrexham. But now, after some time has passed, the BB UK star has now officially been ordained. Sharing a TikTok on July 7, captioned 'First week as Rev Glyn!', he can be heard saying: "As you see behind me there's all the graves, from the dust we came from the dust we will depart. So how are we supposed to enjoy life? Well Jesus told us two things; to love God and to love one another, to treat everyone the way that you want to be treated. So that's all we need to do, really. Go out and enjoy life otherwise." Bemused fans flooded his replies, with one saying: "Glyn from Big Brother???" while another added "I think I've missed a chapter." A proud follower proclaimed: "Darling, I am so unbelievably proud of you. I love you so very dearly." Although he now sports a beard and a shaved head, and carries himself with more maturity, Glyn is still recognised for his past, particularly his time on Big Brother. He incorporates elements of his previous experiences into his sermons, admitting: "I've got a beard now, I've shaved my head, I'm a man not a boy, but yeah, there's conversations about Big Brother that still come up." He shared interactions with churchgoers who remember him fondly, saying: "People come to church and are like, 'I really loved you when you cooked that egg'. And I'm like, 'Can we talk about Jesus Christ now, the Saviour?"
