‘Ships Passing in the Night’: Michael Douglas Left ‘Bored’ and ‘Pained’ by CZJ’s Brand New Life
For decades, they were Hollywood’s golden couple—a striking age difference, a whirlwind romance, and two Oscars between them. But now, as Catherine Zeta-Jones enjoys a career rebirth following her smash-hit role in Netflix’s Wednesday, the fairytale seems to be curdling for her husband, the legendary Michael Douglas.
According to a shocking new report from RadarOnline, the largely-retired Douglas, 81, is “panicking” over his wife’s revitalized ambition, allegedly feeling like an “elephant in the room” in her exciting “brand new life.
The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Husband
Sources claim the 55-year-old Welsh actress is fully embracing her career renaissance, with two major projects—The Gallerist and the revenge thriller Kill Jackie—already lined up.
An insider told the outlet that Zeta-Jones is “excited to be out schmoozing with people again,” emphasizing that she is now “in a powerful position in Hollywood and bringing in the paychecks.
This shift in the power dynamic has reportedly left the Ant-Man actor reeling. The insider alleged:
“It’s difficult for him because he’s effectively sitting at home living the life of an old man… It’s just pain seeing his wife’s excitement over her career, while he’s stuck at home.”
Douglas, who had recently slowed down his acting career, was reportedly hoping for more “date nights” and a “chance to reconnect” with his wife, especially after their children, Dylan and Carys Zeta, left the nest. Instead, the couple is now described as “ships passing in the night.
No Resentment, Just Fury?
While the source maintained that Douglas does not “resent” or “blame” his wife for her ambitions and “wished for her happiness,” the reality is a painful one: he is “lonely at home” and “bored out of his mind.
This emotional fallout comes hot on the heels of another RadarOnline report that claimed Douglas was “furious” with Zeta-Jones for supposedly “flaunting their wealth” in public.
Whether it’s the professional jealousy of a bored Hollywood titan or the simple loneliness of an empty nester, this latest report suggests one of Tinseltown’s most enduring marriages is currently struggling with a very modern problem: her success.
