Michael Douglas has received multiple honors for his acting and director efforts. In the same vein as his father, Kirk Douglas, the actor has garnered international acclaim. However, when the star was diagnosed with a terminal illness, his entire world was turned upside down.

The BAFTA-winning actor began his career in the late 1960s and achieved huge success with the film adaptation of the novel One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. He also made headlines when he married actress, Catherine Zeta Jones.

On the other hand, Douglas had a difficult battle with what he initially believed was throat cancer, distant from his hectic work schedule and glamorous Hollywood lifestyle.

Despite the severity of his condition, the celebrity said in a candid interview about his health issues that he never expected to die.

“It’s strange, I know, but I never considered dying during the entire course of chemotherapy and radiation,” he added.

“My mother died at the age of 92,” he remarked.

My father recently turned 102 years old. I’ve never given much attention to death or aging.

Speaking to fellow actor Samuel L Jackson, Douglas said his surgeon recommended that he publish a statement confirming that he has throat cancer, but that if surgery was required, his acting career might have ended.

The surgeon cautioned Douglas that he might lose some of his tongue and jaw.

Douglas gave a surprising interview to the Guardian two years after his recovery in which he shared greater insight on his struggle with cancer, specifically the cause.

He told the newspaper that oral intercourse was the “cause” of tongue cancer because the sexually transmitted disease HPV (human papillomavirus) also causes cancer.

Despite his openness in the interview, the star was compelled to clarify his words after a public outpouring of rage.

Later, Douglas’ publicist informed CNN that the actor did not totally blame his cancer on HPV because he also smoked and drank. According to an official statement:

“Michael Douglas never claimed that cunnilingus caused his cancer.” Although specialists in the story acknowledge that oral sex is thought to contribute to some mouth cancers, he did not directly allege that oral sex caused his personal sickness