Michael Douglas’s memoir, “One Helluva Ride,” looks back on six decades in film and on a life marked by professional highs, family challenges, romantic relationships and personal struggles. The 496-page book was released in October, and Douglas describes it as a culmination of 55 years of work.

The memoir covers his rise from the son of Hollywood star Kirk Douglas to a leading actor and producer, including his Oscar-winning work on “Wall Street” and “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.” It also recounts the making of films such as “Fatal Attraction” and “Basic Instinct,” as well as conflicts with collaborators and episodes from his younger years.

Douglas writes candidly about his family, including the difficulties faced by his eldest son, Cameron, who spent seven years in prison for drug-related crimes and struggled with heroin addiction. Douglas said he was often absent during those years and still feels guilty about it. He also speaks warmly about his wife, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and says that family has become increasingly important to him.

The book revisits Douglas’s past relationships and sexual history, alongside his experiences with drugs. He recalls selling marijuana to help cover his final two years at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and describes waking after one binge with a cocaine straw still in his nose. The memoir also recounts his time in a treatment center in Arizona, where he says he sought help for drug addiction, not the sex addiction alleged in a tabloid report decades ago.

Douglas also reflects on his cancer diagnosis and treatment. A tumor the size of a walnut was removed from his tongue 16 years ago, and the experience made him confront his mortality. He says he was surprised by how few people contacted him while he was ill, in part because they did not know what to say.

Anger is another recurring subject. Douglas says he inherited his temper from his father and once used anger as a false source of energy. With age and a lasting marriage, he says, he has found more peace and joy and become less focused on work. He also describes a shift in his outlook toward helping others and supporting the public good.

After playing Benjamin Franklin in the Apple TV+ series “Franklin” in 2024, Douglas took a break from acting and began thinking about his legacy. He describes it as “a very good batting average” and a reflection of his era. He also says he remains concerned about the state of the world, while expressing hope and calling for greater attention to education, inequality and initiatives that benefit the public.

Sources: Folha Ilustrada.