Kathleen Turner has broken her silence after Michael Douglas revealed that their chemistry in Romancing the Stone developed into a secret off-screen relationship.
The actress, 72, addressed the renewed interest in their past after Michael, 82, wrote about the romance in his forthcoming memoir, One Helluva Ride, more than four decades after the film made them one of Hollywood's most memorable screen pairings.
"Good heavens what a fuss about something 40 years ago!" Kathleen said in a statement to People. She also expressed her affection for Michael. "I love Michael and I look forward to enjoying the book,” she added.
© Getty Images for ANGELMichael Douglas reveals their secret romance
In his memoir, Michael revisits the period when he and Kathleen were filming the adventure comedy in Mexico. He was separated from his first wife, Diandra, although they remained legally married.
"We found each other first as friends, then as co-stars, and finally as lovers," he writes in an excerpt published by People.
Michael also acknowledges that their longstanding public account, which allowed for attraction but denied a relationship, was untrue. He explains that he wanted to protect Diandra and their son, Cameron.
© Getty ImagesAccording to his account, their closeness grew through the demands of working together. Away from filming, they spent evenings together while keeping the relationship private.
The romance ended after Diandra visited the production. Michael writes that she spoke to Kathleen about the fact that they were still married, prompting his co-star to step back. He subsequently returned to his marriage.
A partnership that continued on screen
Their personal history did not bring their professional partnership to an end. Kathleen and Michael reunited in The Jewel of the Nile in 1985, returning to the characters audiences had first met in Romancing the Stone. Four years later, they played a married couple whose separation turns into an increasingly bitter battle in The War of the Roses.
Decades later, Michael invited Kathleen to join The Kominsky Method, giving them another opportunity to draw on their shared history.
© WireImageShe played his character's ex-wife in the Netflix comedy, initially appearing in its second season before taking a larger role in the third and final instalment in 2021.
Speaking to the Associated Press about working together again, Michael described the experience as: "Like riding a bicycle."
Their reunion also brought back memories of the demanding productions they had shared, from location filming to the elaborate chandelier sequence in The War of the Roses.
Their lives away from the cameras
Both stars went on to marry other partners. Michael and Diandra's divorce was finalised in 2000, the same year he married Catherine Zeta-Jones. Michael and Catherine share two children, Dylan and Carys, while Cameron is his son from his first marriage.
© Getty ImagesKathleen married property developer Jay Weiss in 1984. They welcomed daughter Rachel before divorcing in 2007. Despite the changes in their personal lives, Kathleen and Michael maintained their friendship. His decision to revisit their romance now forms part of a much wider reflection on his life, family and career.
Michael Douglas's forthcoming memoir
One Helluva Ride will be published on October 6. According to publisher Hachette, the book explores Michael's childhood, his complicated relationship with his father, Kirk Douglas, and his determination to establish a career in his own right.
© Los Angeles Times via Getty ImagIt also covers his development as a producer and actor, including the success of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and his Oscar-winning performance in Wall Street.
Alongside those professional milestones, Michael reflects on family challenges and his marriage to Catherine, placing the newly revealed chapter with Kathleen within the broader story of his life.
