Meet Michael Douglas' three lookalike siblings – who all followed him into the film industry


The 81-year-old Wall Street actor is himself a father of three, welcoming his eldest with ex Diandra Luker and his two youngest with wife Catherine Zeta-Jones


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Tess Hill
Tess HillNews and Features Writer
1 hour ago

Michael Douglas is part of one of Hollywood's most illustrious film families, with the two-time Oscar winner being the son of legendary actor Kirk Douglas and actress Diana Dill. 

The Fatal Attraction star has since built a family of his own with his wife Catherine Zeta-Jones and ex-wife Diandra Luker. Michael and Diandra welcomed their son Cameron, now 47, in 1978, and with Catherine, he welcomed son Dylan, 26, in 2000 and daughter Carys, 23, in 2003. Michael's middle son, Dylan, has followed in his footsteps and is set to star in an upcoming psychological thriller, I Will Come to You.

However, his brothers are just as much a part of the film industry as he is. Take a look at his famous family in photos below, including his three brothers Joel, Peter, and Eric…

Michael Douglas assiste au mariage de son frère Joel Douglas, producteur, le 11 septembre 1986 à Nice, France.© Getty Images

Joel and Michael are the only two born to their parents Kirk and Diana

Joel Douglas

Joel Douglas is Michael's younger brother, the second son of Kirk and Diana before they split in 1951. He was born just one day after his mother's 24th birthday.

Unlike his dad and older brother, Joel, now 79, did not choose to go into acting, instead embracing the production side of the film industry, working primarily as a film producer.

His career began in the 1970s as an executive for Mel and Noel Blanc's media company Blanc Communications Corporation, and he also produced several projects related to his family. He was a co-producer on 1984's Romancing the Stone and 1985's The Jewel of the Nile, and was an associate producer on the Oscar winning One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest in 1975.


Actor Michael Douglas (L) and producer Joel Douglas attend the Icon Award Presentation during the 22nd Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival at the Annenberg Theatre on January 13, 2011 in Palm Springs, California.© Getty Images

Joel is always there to celebrate his big brother

Inside Joel's personal life

Joel has been married five times: to Susan Jorgensen (1968–1973), Judith Corso (1975–1981), Patricia Reid-Douglas (1986–2002), Jo Ann Savitt (2004 until her death in 2013), and in 2024, he tied the knot with Mascha in a wedding that Michael officiated.

Actor Kirk Douglas and his son Peter Douglas attend the Anne and Kirk Douglas 400th Playground Dedication at Lillian Street Elementary School, on May 28, 2008 in Los Angeles, California.© Getty Images

Peter produced hit films like Fletch and Whip It

Peter Douglas

Peter Vincent Douglas is Michael's half-brother, the first son of Kirk and his second wife Anne Buydens. Like his siblings and father, he quickly found his footing in the film industry.

Like Joel, Peter, now 70, found success as a TV and film producer and has also worked in photography. Most notably, he had a close working relationship with his father, up until his death in 2020.

Like Michael and Joel before him, he was a key member of his dad's production company The Byrna Company, eventually becoming President. In 1978, however, he branched out to establish his own production company, Vincent Pictures. He also won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama/Comedy Special in 1988 for his production of Inherit the Wind.

Kirk surrounded by his four sons, Peter, Joel, Michael, and Eric© Getty Images

The Douglas brothers all adored their dad

Peter's life as a family man

Since 1991, Peter has been married to Lisa Schroeder, and they are the parents to four children – Kelsey (born in 1992), Tyler (born in 1996), Ryan (born in 2000), and Jason (born in 2003).


Eric Douglas at Playgirl party, New York, 1994.© Getty Images

Eric was the youngest Douglas brother

Eric Douglas

Eric Douglas was the youngest of Kirk Douglas' sons, also welcomed with Anne, and was a member of show business just like his other family members, although in unique fashion.

While he pursued a brief acting career, he never quite achieved the same level of success as his older brother or father. Eric also branched out into stand-up comedy, often performing with improvisation troupes and riffing on being the "black sheep" of the Douglas family.

One of his performances at The Comedy Store in London has since become a legend in the British comedy scene, however. His reaction to the audience's tepid response to his set, which was: "You can't do this to me, I'm Kirk Douglas' son!" led to a member of the audience shouting: "No, I'm Kirk Douglas' son!" in a reference to his dad's 1960 film Spartacus.

Kirk Douglas (R) and his son Eric (L) arrive for the 38th Annual Publicists Guild of America Awards 23 March 2001 in Beverly Hills, CA. Douglas' son Michael was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the guild. AFP Photo/Lee CELANO© Getty Images

The Douglas family mourned Eric's death privately

Inside Eric's early death

Unfortunately, Eric's life was plagued by issues with the law and substance abuse. He was arrested multiple times in the 1990s for disorderly conduct, DUIs, and possession of illegal substances, and was often in and out of rehab. He died of an overdose in 2004 at the age of 46.

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