Michael Douglas Couldn’t Be Prouder of His Reformed Son Cameron: ‘Wouldn’t Change a Thing’

Michael Douglas’ son Cameron Douglas has been to hell and back in his life – once serving seven years behind bars for drug dealing – but he’s totally reformed now and his famous dad couldn’t be prouder.

“Not a day went by that Michael didn’t stand by his son. Even when Cameron was at his lowest Michael was there championing him and pushing for him to pull through,” a source exclusively tells Closer. “He was making speeches and talking about prison reform, he didn’t shy away from it or try to hide that his son was in trouble. Cameron is so incredibly grateful that his dad never gave up on him and every day since he got better he’s made sure to let him know just how much he loves him.”

The insider says that the Romancing the Stone actor, 80, is “immensely proud of the man Cameron has become” but he admits that Cameron, 46, had “a hard, long road with a lot of heartbreak.”

“Michael says he wouldn’t change a thing because the bond and connection they share now is just priceless,” the source adds. “It’s given him so much pleasure to see his kid defy the odds. Michael’s kids are everything to him, along with Catherine [Zeta-Jones,] of course, and he cherishes every moment. His bond with them all is totally unbreakable, he’s been as good as dad as anyone could have.”

Cameron has been open about his struggles in the past. He began using drugs as a teenager and he eventually moved onto injecting cocaine and heroin into his veins. As his addiction worsened, it began to take a toll on his relationships with his family and friends, along with his career as a DJ.

“I’ve been using drugs since I was 13. My current addiction is particularly nasty: I inject coke as often as three times an hour when I’m on the run,” the dad of two wrote in his 2019 book, Long Way Home, recalling his life at the time, per Rolling Stone. “My once-promising career as a DJ has been destroyed by my irresponsibility. I’ve had opportunities to make a life in acting and squandered them. I’ve hardly given my family, or myself, reasons to feel proud.”

He continued, “When Dad looks at me, recently, I don’t see love; I see concern and sadness and frustration. When we talk, it’s usually a tense interaction about money or the latest way I’ve disappointed him.”

Cameron was sentenced to five years in prison after he was arrested and pleaded guilty to heroin possession and conspiracy to distribute drugs. While serving his time, he was caught trying to smuggle drugs into the prison and had four and a half more years added to his sentence. Cameron was released in 2016 after spending seven years behind bars.

Michael, however, doesn’t hide how proud he is of his son and how far he’s come since his stint in prison. On December 13, 2024, the Fatal Attraction star shared a photo of himself and Cameron in honor of his 46th birthday.

“For my #1 son Cameron, Happy birthday! Wishing you a great new year!” Michael captioned the image on Instagram.