Meet Dylan Douglas, a remarkable individual in his 20s who stands out as the son and grandson of two acting legends, Michael Douglas and Kirk Douglas. Despite the immense fame and acclaim that surround his famous family, Dylan has chosen to embark on a completely different career path.
The love story between Dylan’s parents, Michael and Catherine Zeta-Jones, captured the attention of magazines everywhere, largely due to their notable 25-year age difference. However, the couple paid no mind to public opinion, as they knew they had discovered their soulmate in each other. At their wedding, Catherine Zeta-Jones expressed her gratitude, stating, “I don’t take any of this for granted. When I look at Michael, I run around like a little girl. I can’t believe I came into his life and he came into mine.”
Shortly after their marriage in 2000, Dylan entered their lives, joining Michael’s son from a previous marriage, Cameron, and in 2003, the family welcomed their daughter Carys Zeta-Douglas. Recognizing the potential pressures and challenges that come with having famous parents, both Michael and Catherine, as devoted parents, made the decision to raise their children away from the public eye. They understood that their celebrity status would inevitably cast a spotlight on their kids, and so, when Dylan was just a year old, the family relocated to Bermuda. With Michael’s roots in Bermuda, having spent his summers there during his youth, he believed it to be the ideal environment for their family.
“Bermuda creates an environment for us away from the entertainment business and gives our kids independence and freedom where showbiz isn’t on everybody’s lips,” shared Douglas, as reported by the Bermuda Sun. “It’s a lovely, lovely place.” Although they cherished their time in Bermuda, the family eventually returned to New York due to Dylan’s struggle with dyslexia. Dylan enrolled in Windward School, which specializes in supporting students with dyslexia.
During this period, life presented challenges for young Dylan. His brother Cameron faced a five-year prison sentence, and his father Michael battled stage 4 tongue cancer. While Dylan worked hard to adapt to his new school, his father fought against this devastating disease. Fortunately, Michael emerged victorious in his battle, and Dylan overcame his dyslexia with the help of his school.
At a Windward School fundraiser, Dylan took the opportunity to express his deep gratitude for the impact the school had on his life. His heartfelt speech, which his mother shared on Instagram, showcased Dylan’s kindness and thoughtfulness, demonstrating the remarkable young man he had become.
“At home, I was alone, but at school, I was far from lonely. At Windward, I was free. It was like the Mecca of dyslexics. In 2010, everything was normal again at home. I could finally see my mom again, and my dad was cancer-free,” reflected Dylan. “Everything was beautiful again.” In 2010, Michael spoke proudly of his children, describing them as “well-mannered, confident, and worldly.” He acknowledged that dyslexia runs in the family, with his brother also having it, and emphasized that he and Catherine are “old-fashioned parents who are proud of their kids.”
According to his Instagram page, Dylan has founded an organization called “Make Room Now,” where he serves as a Political & Outreach Director. His passion lies in history, particularly decolonization, freedom movements, and first-time voting activism. In addition, he enjoys engaging in thrilling activities such as skydiving and various sports.
On The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Michael Douglas shared a humorous anecdote about Dylan’s recent skydiving adventure, remarking, “He just did a skydiving thing. But I remember that age. It’s a hormonal thing, I think, for boys, testing yourself. I just think it—you know, what I did not like is he was the first one to jump. I said, ‘Don’t be the first one to jump!’ Let a couple of other people go off first to test it… So I said, ‘Okay, just don’t be first!'”
Dylan remains grounded, much like his parents, and cherishes his family deeply. His sister Carys has also been capturing attention in recent times. In 2017, she made her highly anticipated debut at New York Fashion Week at the age of 15. After some time away from the spotlight, Carys once again took center stage, alongside her mother, at the New York Metropolitan Opera House. The mother-daughter duo confidently strutted the runway for Dolce & Gabbana Alta Moda women’s couture, captivating all who beheld them. This event served as a reminder to everyone that Carys is undeniably a striking resemblance of her famous mother.
