EXCLUSIVE: Michael Douglas 'Dead Drama' — Insiders Say 80-Year-Old's 'Creeping Mortality' is 'Elephant in Room' Between Him and 'Estranged' Wife Catherine Zeta-Jones, 55

Michael Douglas is under renewed scrutiny regarding his health and marital status, as sources reveal that the 80-year-old actor’s retirement and looming mortality concerns are creating palpable tension in his marriage with Catherine Zeta-Jones, as reported by RadarOnline.com.

The Oscar winner, who informally announced his decision to retire in July after nearly six decades in the entertainment industry, has been spotted vacationing by himself. In contrast, 55-year-old Zeta-Jones has been revitalizing her career with major roles in Netflix’s Wednesday, Amazon’s forthcoming Kill Jackie, and the movie The Gallerist.

Sources close to the couple say that the couple, who celebrated their shared birthdays this month, are increasingly drifting apart. One Hollywood insider remarked, “They seem to barely intersect anymore. What remains unsaid is that Michael’s retirement and age cast a long shadow over everything. He prefers a quiet life at home, while Catherine is flourishing professionally, moving forward as if she is decades younger.”

Another source added, “Michael thought that stepping back would afford them more evenings together, but Catherine’s busy work schedule has meant she is scarcely home, leaving him feeling abandoned.”

This year, Douglas candidly shared his thoughts at a film festival in the Czech Republic, saying, “I’ve led a busy career. Since 2022, I’ve taken a deliberate break, realizing that I needed to stop. I’ve been at it almost 60 years and didn’t want to become one of those people who ‘dropped dead’ on set.”

Zeta-Jones reflected, “You realize how many conversations you previously used to distract from settling into each other’s company over the years. Now, after two decades in marriage, those years of nurturing our relationship pay off.”

However, her renewed fame has not come without its share of controversies. Recently, during an appearance on Late Night with Seth Meyers, Zeta-Jones made light of a 12-year-old fan who asked for her autograph while she golfed, saying, “It was adorable—until I realized that when I hit 70, this cute boy will be 33.”

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The joking remark drew criticism on social media, with many labeling it “creepy” and “inappropriate.”

Amidst it all, insiders report that Douglas is grappling with feelings of being sidelined. One close associate stated, “Michael never anticipated that Catherine would sacrifice her career. He envisioned them sharing more time together. Now, he often finds himself alone, confronting the harsh realities of being 80 and, quite frankly, facing death in a marriage that is seemingly fading away.”