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Kirk Douglas' Family Member's Life Struggles
The Douglas family has been known in the industry, not only for their several films and line of actors and actresses but also for their struggles with sobriety.
Kirk, Michael, and Cameron Douglas are three generations of successful movie actors, who dealt with the alcohol and substance abuse their family members struggled with.
Michael’s half-brother Eric died from an overdose in 2004 after battling with addiction for years. Kirk then spoke about his sons passing:
“My wife Annie and I discuss it. We know for years and years we tried to do everything we could, but nothing helped.”
Michael Douglas and Kirk Douglas arrive at the 2012 Vanity Fair Oscar Party. | Source: Getty Images
CAMERON’S STRUGGLE
At the age of 13, Cameron became a user, which he admitted in his memoir, “Long Way Home,” that he was “buying weed in Central Park and experimenting with mushrooms and acid.”
In 2009, the actor was put behind bars for conspiring to sell meth and cocaine in a DEA sting operation. His five-year sentence turned into nearly eight years after possessing an illegal substance.
Cameron Douglas walks the red carpet at the Kirk Douglas Award for Excellence in Film. | Source: Getty Images
Cameron was set free in 2016 and rejoined his family, sober, and changed, trying to become a better man than he previously was.
He hopes to help and encourage those who were once in the same darkness as him through openly sharing his story.
Cameron Douglas visits the SiriusXM Studios. | Source: Getty Images
Both Kirk and Michael invited Cameron to star with them in the film “It Runs in the Family,” under the condition that he must first check-in rehabilitation.
ERIC DIES FROM AN OVERDOSE
In 2004, 46-year-old Eric was found lifeless in his New York City apartment. The news left his family in deep despair with their spokesman saying:
“We hope you will respect their privacy at this time.”
Eric Douglas, 1995. | Source: Wikimedia Commons
In 1999, Eric endured an eight-day coma from a pill overdose, and two years prior pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine after being involved with the shipment of anti-depressant pills.
MICHAEL’S REGRET
Michael, the father of Cameron, took some of the blame for his son’s lost path in life that ended him in jail.
Michael and Cameron Douglas at the premiere of Disney And Marvel's "Ant-Man And The Wasp." | Source: Getty Images
He said:
“You rack your brain and you take it personally in the beginning, you start blaming yourself. Then you look at your genetic makeup. I should’ve changed my priorities. My career was first. My career came before family.”
Both Kirk and Michael invited Cameron to star with them in the film “It Runs in the Family,” under the condition that he must first check-in rehabilitation.
Michael tried everything to help his son, even going as far as hiring men to fake a kidnapping and take his son to rehab.
