Michael Douglas says in his memoir One Helluva Ride that he and Kathleen Turner had an affair during Romancing the Stone, ending 40 years of denials.

October 3, 2026 – For roughly four decades, fans wondered whether the sparks between Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner in Romancing the Stone were real. Both actors said the chemistry was strong and that they were tempted, but that they never acted on it.

Now Douglas, 82, has changed the story. In an excerpt from his upcoming memoir, One Helluva Ride, obtained by People, he says the two did begin a relationship while making the 1984 adventure comedy, which was shot largely in Mexico.

What Douglas Says Happened

According to the excerpt, Douglas arrived on location in a complicated place at home. He describes himself as “still technically married, but separated,” from his then-wife, Diandra Luker. He writes that he and Turner grew close through long hours, intense pressure and mutual admiration, and that it was more than a fling.

How They Kept It Quiet

Douglas says the pair hid the relationship from nearly everyone, including director Robert Zemeckis and co-star Danny DeVito. He recalls sneaking into Turner’s hotel room after the crew had gone to sleep, and notes that 1980s film sets lacked the phone cameras and constant surveillance of today.

Why It Ended

Per Douglas, the relationship ended after Luker visited the set with their young son, Cameron, and made clear to Turner that the couple were still married. Douglas says they kept the affair secret for 40 years to protect Luker and Cameron.

The marriage didn’t recover. Luker filed for divorce in 1995 and it was finalized in 2000. Douglas married Catherine Zeta-Jones later that year.

Turner Responds

Turner reacted with good humor. She told People, “Good heavens what a fuss about something 40 years ago!” and said she is looking forward to reading the book. The two later worked together again on The Jewel of the Nile, The War of the Roses and, years later, The Kominsky Method.

Why the Rumor Lasted So Long

Part of what kept the rumor alive is that Romancing the Stone sold the romance so well. The film turned Douglas and Turner into one of the most recognizable screen pairings of the 1980s, and audiences were inclined to believe the chemistry went beyond the script. That the two kept their story consistent for so long, even through sequel promotion and later reunions, only added to the speculation. In that sense, Douglas’s memoir doesn’t just settle a question. It reframes a classic adventure film for anyone who rewatches it.

FAQ block:

When was Romancing the Stone released?
The film was released in 1984 and was filmed the year before.

Who starred in Romancing the Stone?
Michael Douglas played adventurer Jack Colton, and Kathleen Turner played romance novelist Joan Wilder. Danny DeVito co-starred, and Robert Zemeckis directed.

What did Michael Douglas say about Kathleen Turner in his memoir?
In an excerpt from One Helluva Ride, reported by People, Douglas says the two began a relationship during production after years of publicly denying it.

When did Michael Douglas divorce Diandra Luker?
Luker filed in 1995, and the divorce was finalized in 2000. Douglas married Catherine Zeta-Jones later that year.

Did Douglas and Turner work together again?
Yes. They co-starred in The Jewel of the Nile, The War of the Roses, and later The Kominsky Method.

The Takeaway

Douglas’s admission closes the book on one of Hollywood’s long-running rumors, and it suggests that One Helluva Ride will be candid about his personal life.

Sources: People (memoir excerpt and Turner’s statement); Fox News.