Michael Douglas on 'Today': 'The Tumor Is Gone'

By John Mitchell Posted Jan 10th 2011 04:45PM

Michael Douglas' cancer is in complete remission, the Academy Award-winning actor tells Matt Lauer. "The odds are, with the tumor gone and what I know about this particular type of cancer, that I've got it beat," Douglas says in his first television interview since undergoing several weeks of chemotherapy and radiation treatment last fall to treat stage 4 throat cancer. The sit-down will air in two parts -- part one airs Tuesday on 'Today,' with the second half of the interview set for the Jan. 23 edition of 'Dateline NBC.'

Discussing the support he received from friends and family, Douglas tells Lauer: "There's a new depth. You know, maybe it has to do because of everything life threatening. So all of a sudden the affection from my family, from my friends, and from my fans hit me at a much deeper level than I would have ever imagined before."

The star says he was always honest about his illness with his young children -- Dillon, 10, and Carys, 7 -- and with wife Catherine Zeta-Jones. "I told them about the cancer, you know, right from the beginning because I was going to be in- and out-patient," Douglas says. "But I told them it was hopeful. And I also took them down to a couple of radiation treatments. So they came into the room and they saw all the 'Star Wars' treatment going around."

Douglas even addresses the alarm photos of him looking frail caused late last year, opining that the pictures were a likely catalyst for his 94-year-old father's presence during his recovery. "My father, Kirk, he came back to New York. ... He came back for 10 days and came up to the apartment every day to see me because I think that some of these photographs and, you know, who knows if they're touched up," Douglas tells Lauer. "I was gaunt, you know? So I think he was even concerned. And, yeah, it was not a lot of fun. It's still not. They're there every day."

Asked how cancer has changed his life, the actor says, "It's put a timeline on my life. I'm 66 now. You know, I'm fortunate. ... It's definitely a third act. And so you're a little more conscious of your time in how you choose to spend it."

"It gave me a really new appreciation of just how valuable, how precious good friends are and family," the 'Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps' star says. "And it's not that I disregarded them before but there's a much deeper feeling. And I've talked to other cancer survivors about this, that -- that happens, that you just really, really appreciate what's important in life."

Tags: matt lauer, Michael Douglas, today show

Comments

(38)

Monday 10 January

By Ted Bundy

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Wooohooo finally some good news!

By TRUPATRIOT77

As an advanced stage 4 survivor of NHL, I know what a gift a second chance at life means. God Bless You Mr. Douglas, and am so happy for you and your family!

By Deanne

E X C E L L E N T !!!!

By mellors

he must have had his fingers crossed behind his back when he said he had it beat.. stage four throat cancer, remission yes, beaten, never.. get as much as you can out of life michael, whislt you can.. best of luck..

By vcrozas

How about positive thinking?? Never say never...my sisterinlaw had stage 4 breast cancer prognosis 5 yrs after 4 yrs she developed a second type breast cancer and lived 7 more years total 12 yrs. She was positive and thought positive but was aware of her time. Never put limits she had basically 11 good yrs for the most part and yes she died but the bottom line is we all die of something.

By Andy

Glad to hear the good news! I'm a prostate cancer survivor.

By razzi

VERY happy to hear this, what a nice and wonderful New Year to start off with. God Bless you Michael Douglas

By Judith Warren

congratulations to Micheal that great news to hear abought you health

By carole del monte

Thanks for the good news. He looks great. Hoping to see him working soon.

By terry

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I WANT TO SEE A PUMPIN MOVING MOVIE, THEN I WILL BE HAPPY FOR HIM AND HIS FAMILY.

By Rose

I was not ready to lose such a great actor, so I refused to read any of the tabloid news, which I rarely do anyway. This goes to show that "God has the last say". My prayers have been answered. The Best to Michael Douglas and his family!!!

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positive thinking, vc.. how about a reality check. ?? i am glad that your situation was a positive one.. this type of cancer is not breast cancer, the chance of survival is much less.

By Christina Pastina

What an IDIOTIC negative thing to say. Hope you never are in this situation-NOT so negative then?

By nk

What fantastic news....great way to start the new year....
Best of luck to you Michael....

By deemac

I am in my 40's and at the top of my list of favorite actors is Michael Douglas.
He just is a one of a kind. And He is kind. His family and friends love him
because they truly know him.

Prayers will continue that this awful disease never re-enters your life...and you live to see your children grow.

By edwin

Im glade to hear that you are better,Im a fan of yours,so we can look forward to some more of your work, maybe just a couple /yr.spending time more time with family and friends.

By Craig

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Thank God; keep it going Michael!!

By drouincj

Michael:
We have followed your journey thru throat cancer since the beginning.My husband had the same journey with the cancer on his tongue,tonsil and lymph glands on the right side of his neck. Be faithful & go to your scheduled checkups.Don't miss any of them!!My husband's journey started in 2007.We thank God for his remission.He went through Karmanos in Detroit,MI. God Bless you Michael and your family! C.J. & R.R. Drouin

Tuesday 11 January

By sharron

Dear drouincj: What is "Karmanos" I have never heard of it and other readers might be interested as well.

By Harlow

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Just like his "career"
funny how its gone now and not when he was promoting his latest bomb. wall street whatever it was

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