Michael Douglas Calls Fatherhood a “Gorgeous and Wonderful Feeling”

He may be a two-time Oscar winner, but Michael Douglas reveals his greatest role to date is being a father.

"There’s no way to articulate or define the joys of fatherhood. It’s just a gorgeous, wonderful feeling of unequivocal love," the 69-year-old shares of raising his three children [Cameron, 35, Dylan, 13, and Carys, 11].

"There is no judgment, both in your love for them and their love for you. It's very rare and special," he adds.

And although he considers himself an older dad — he welcomed his two youngest kids in his 50s after marrying second wife Catherine Zeta-Jones — Michael says he benefits from having a few extra years of wisdom.

"In the early stages [of one's life] ambition rules," the Wall Street actor explains, who had son Cameron at the age of 34 with first wife Diandra Luker. "Having children takes time to do properly, and I think sometimes people spread themselves too thin."

And Michael is quick to point out kids are smarter than they appear. Which is why he he chose to be honest with Dylan and Carys during his brief separation from Catherine last August.

"There’s been a whole school of thought about things you should not tell children — if there’s a problem in a relationship, [people say], “Let’s not let the kids know,” Michael says.

"Kids know. They know everything. I would err on the side of pretty much sharing everything."

Speaking of his 13-year marriage to the Welsh actress, Michael confesses he learned a lot during their time apart.

"Like a lovely orchid, or anything else that’s nurtured, marriage prospers and grows, but if it’s ignored, it withers," he tells People magazine. "You can never take your marriage for granted."