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 b

Vote down Vote up Report this

Amazing Grace.

Tuesday 11 January

By hattie

God bless you Mr. Douglas, and i am so thankful for your good news, i lost a brother and a sister 8 months apart last year to lung cancer i am so happy for you and your family

By wolfkopf123

thee is no substitute for life -- we only can wish Michael well and his family

By undertaker

r.i.p M.D. nobody can beat death.

By Roxy

Michael that is great news... may you make your peace with any and all that have "bumped" you along the road and you will feel
20 years younger... Keep up the positive and enjoy life, love, friends and every new day they are all gifts. All the best to you and your family...my dad did your dads travel many years ago and always spoke so highly of Kirk.... may the VM keep you and strengthen you
Roxy

By karrie

gona miss oprah..but know success as always...will be hers..

By kar

good news for michael and his family...follow thru...find your purpose..and praise the powers that be..for the miracles ....

By Becky

I'm so glad your doing better, I'm not ready to lose you yet. I will keep you in my prayers you and your beautiful family.

By Ppacifico69

A few years ago a man 20 years younger than Michael Douglas had the same type of cancer, he was self-employed and without health insurance, he couldnt get health insurance because of previous conditions, he went without treatment and died a few months later, cancer eating his esophagus.
How sad it is when congress appropiates 800 billions dollars to protect other countries with soldiers and bases all over the world and denies basic health insurance for over 60 millions Americans.
My prayers for Michael douglas and his family. God bless him.

By Dal

Mr. Douglas is a fine actor that has endured a bevy of procedures that proved successful. You see it's science that saves lives. Prayer and "religious intervention" has absolutely no merit. Kudos to the heroic men and women who've dedicated their lives as doctors, scientists and researchers that are responsible for preserving life.

By Cutie

......I wish you well Mr. Douglas. I was told I could live ten more years, I'm on #12 and stopped thinking about how many days left and just enjoy life.

.....basic health care is not denied, anyone can obtain it by paying its premiums. With upwards of 20 million illegals no American wants to pay more into a system where so many stick others with the bill. The Sierra Medical hospital had a ten million dollar bill in the early 80s in El Paso, TX where people came in and left without paying.

By Rainer

Glad for him" Always liked him as an Actor and his great Dad too.
Funny how People often find themselfs having a more realistic concept about liefe and it's real values. Kind of like a kick start to the Head.
Greetings from Down under

By Mike

Michael, I wish you and your family all the best, and hope you live another 50 years!

Your right! What a mess the Libs have gotten us into.

By dangelt52

Congratulations M ichael on another job well done!
mellors, what a horrible thing to say.

By Ed

I knew he would beat it. Stage 4 cancer claims a lot of lives but he's tough. That's good news thank God!

Wednesday 27 April

By Don E

It was great to read how you dealt with your cancer. Right now i am going through the same thing. I recently finisshed my last radiation and chemo. Looking forward to the day I can eat again.God bless you Mike and your family. Looking forward to seeing some more of your work.

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