Michael Douglas recalls 'wildly embarrassing' drunken incident that ended Julia Roberts friendship
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Michael Douglas revisits a drunken confrontation with Julia Roberts in his new memoir 'One Helluva Ride,' along with candid accounts of his substance use and the consequences of his actions.
The incident occurred during the production of 'Flatliners' and ultimately changed his friendship with Roberts.
Michael Douglas recalls confrontation with Julia Roberts
Douglas wrote that the incident happened during a Golden Globes party while 'Flatliners,' the 1990 sci-fi film starring Roberts and her then-boyfriend Kiefer Sutherland, was in production.
Douglas was there for 'Wall Street,' while Roberts attended following 'Mystic Pizza.' Sutherland accompanied Roberts to an after-party, while Douglas brought his 13-year-old son, Cameron, whom he shares with ex-wife Diandra.
According to Douglas, he was at the bar when he saw Roberts with her arm around Cameron and “kind of nuzzling him.” Douglas recalled that Cameron appeared stunned to him at the time, but acknowledged that he was “pretty drunk.”
In the memoir, Douglas also wrote that a “typical night” for him involved “probably five drinks” and other illegal substance, suggesting that his perception of the situation may have been affected by his intoxication.
Douglas said he lashed out at Roberts, telling her, “Take your hands off my son and take that Golden Globe and stick it where the sun don’t shine.” The following morning, his producing partner Rick Bieber called him and told him, “We need to talk, Michael.”
Douglas then realized he had “crossed a line with the most in-demand young actress in Hollywood.” He described the episode as “wildly embarrassing” and said it stayed with him “for years.”
He sent Roberts flowers and apologized to both Roberts and Sutherland in person. “Luckily, they forgave me enough to get through that and finish the picture,” Douglas wrote. “I remained friends with Kiefer. Julia, not so much.”
Julia Roberts attended the 'After The Hunt' photocall during the 82nd Venice International Film Festival on August 29, 2025, in Venice, Italy (Theo Wargo/Getty Images)Michael Douglas details substance use and memoir publication
Elsewhere in 'One Helluva Ride,' Douglas gives candid accounts of his substance abuse. He wrote that his substance use became so excessive that he once fell asleep with a straw in his nose. Douglas also explained that he never drank or used while working, saying it was a conscious decision he began making after nearly vomiting on the set of 'Running.'
Douglas entered treatment in 1992 after his drinking escalated during difficulties in his marriage to Diandra Luker, according to a 2010 Vanity Fair profile. He completed the rehabilitation program, although the marriage later ended.
In the memoir's introduction, Douglas wrote that he contacted each woman involved in intimate stories he had not previously discussed publicly and received permission to share their stories.
The book underwent extensive legal review in the United States and England, with TheWrap reporting on October 1 that some changes were made late after private conversations between Douglas and people featured in the manuscript.
TheWrap also reported that 80 previously unpublished photographs, many from Douglas' collection, were added late in production, with sources saying the book received final clearance only minutes before its deadline.
