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May 20 2009 05:00 PM ET
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Michael Douglas on the Magical Bonds of Fatherhood

Juan Rico/Fame

Life’s a beach for Michael Douglas and family. They call the island of Bermuda home, for it offers a little something for everyone; For Michael, 64, it represents a connection to his own mom’s Bermudian roots and for wife Catherine Zeta-Jones, the tiny British colony offers a taste of home. However for the couple’s two children Dylan Michael, 8 ½, and Carys Zeta, 6 — both of whom attend schools there — it serves as a safe haven from the trappings of fame. Michael notes,

“It 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. It’s a lovely, lovely place.”

Although he’s quickly approaching what many consider retirement age, Michael has no plans to slow down. What’s more, he feels that being an older dad gives him an advantage because he is better able to see what’s truly important in life. “I have the attention, the time, the priority,” he says. “This is not a business that you can balance your family life with your professional life.”

“Most people have a nine-to-five job and they work five days a week. Sometimes they have the summer off. This is a job where you’re gone for long periods of time. When your priority becomes family first, you really get to enjoy and savor these incredible years of super-fast growing spurts. It’s a bond that’s magical.”

It’s also a bond that Michael won’t break by interfering with the kids’ career paths, whatever they someday turn out to be. “I don’t think you have a lot of control over what your children decide to do,” he explains. “Either encouraging or discouraging – that’s certainly the life they’re familiar with and the life they know.” While it “wouldn’t surprise” Michael if the kids do follow suit and pursue acting, at the same time “they’ll see the pitfalls and the great advantages.”

“It is a gypsy life. I’ll support my children in whatever they decide to do.”

Michael is also dad to Cameron, 30, with ex-wife Diandra Luker.

Source: OK!

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I really like Michael, he’s a great actor and seems like a great dad. I wish i could live in bermuda!

Anyone else find it funny that he has a 30 year old son and a 9 year old son? I shouldn’t talk tho, I’m 20 and my brother is 34 =D

- Sarah on

aww i LOVE this family!!! I ve said before on this site that theres credit due to them….they want privacy and seek it by living in Bermuda….not pounding LA s pavements growling at the inevitable paparazzi followers!! i guess these two learned their lesson with their wedding pictures a few years back!

- maggie on

Sarah: I think that’s why he and Catherine didn’t have a third child (his age). She always wanted three (biological children) she has said but he convinced her she already has three kids (counting Cameron).

- Marilyn on

Sarah -
I always have found the age differences between Michael’s children to be strange as well. And I come from a family of 5 siblings (I am #4), where my oldest brother is 38 and my youngest sister is 18. So I really have no room to talk either!

- Aly on

Micheal and Catherine are possibly Hollywood’s most down-to-earth couple. They come off so unaffected by fame, and they obviously don’t seek it. Bermuda seems like such a beautiful, quite place to raise kids. Their kids(Dylan & Carys) will have normal childhood far away from the annoying, aggressive paparazzi and their flashlights. That’s a way to go!

- Niko on

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