Michael Douglas Memoir: Father's Shadow & Kathleen Turner Affair

Actor Michael Douglas, 82, discussed growing up under the influence of his famous father, Kirk Douglas, and revealed new details about his personal life in an interview with ABC News' Diane Sawyer.

Douglas, son of actors Kirk and Diana Douglas, told Sawyer that his father, a three-time Oscar nominee, had a temper that made him shy. Despite this, Michael followed his father into acting. A significant early career decision involved turning down his father for the role of Chief Bromden in "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest." The studio and director deemed Kirk Douglas too old, leading Michael to cast Jack Nicholson, who later won an Oscar for the part. Douglas described telling his father he didn't get the role as "the hardest thing I ever had to do." Kirk Douglas died in 2000 at age 103.

In his new memoir, "One Helluva Ride," Douglas addresses his familial and personal relationships, including a 40-year secret affair with "Romancing the Stone" co-star Kathleen Turner. Douglas confirmed to Sawyer that he obtained permission from Turner and other women mentioned in the book before its publication.

Married to actress Catherine Zeta-Jones for over 25 years, with whom he has two children, Douglas explained his decision to name women from his past in the memoir. "These are people I had relationships with over my 82 years and many of them long before Catherine was born," he told Sawyer. "I mean, people date, Diane, they do."

Further excerpts from Sawyer's interview with Douglas are scheduled to air on "Good Morning America" on Tuesday, October 6, from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. ET on ABC.