Michael Douglas: Catherine Zeta-jones "Relieved"

Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones have had a rough year, but things are finally looking up for the New York-based couple.

After all, just months after Douglas, 66, beat stage 4 throat cancer, his wife announced she was seeking treatment for bipolar II disorder in April.

When asked by Winfrey about how his cancer diagnosis (he has been cancer-free since January) changed him, Douglas choked up and said, “I have a much deeper appreciation of family and friends.” His wife, meanwhile, is doing “great,” and is currently shooting a film in Louisiana. “I think she’s relieved because she has a much better understanding [of her bipolar disorder],” Douglas said. The actor also explained that Zeta-Jones didn’t originally plan on disclosing her health issues but was “outed” by someone at the facility: “Some other patient probably said, ‘Hey, you won’t believe who’s in here now.’”

During his own treatment, Douglas said he didn't want "a lot of fuss and attention," and Zeta-Jones, 41, reacted similarly. "She's Welsh," he explained. "The Welsh, it's all stiff upper lip and not letting your feelings show."

Now that he's cancer free, Douglas says his wife, whom he wed in 2000, has finally been able to "relax."

"She's great. She's shooting a movie down in Louisiana, and I think she's relieved she has a better understanding [of bipolar II]," he told the talk show host, 57.


he actor also addressed his son Cameron’s current jail stint for selling crystal meth, saying that Cameron is “in real good positive shape.” One bonus: The Oprah Winfrey Show is apparently a must-see TV with the other inmates, or, as Douglas put it to Oprah, “Your show is very popular in the house.”