Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas have a bond that simply can't be broken.
"There's something that really does connect us — even our handwriting," the actress told Drew Barrymore this week of her husband of 21 years.
She added, "It's like if we go to restaurants — well, before Covid we used to go to restaurants — and if we were in a big, long [dinner with] family or friends … it could be 20 people or 24 people, we always like to mix. We never like to [sit] next to each other when we go to dinner parties because we want to talk to other people. And so if Michael is down one end of the table and I'm down the other, you can guarantee we are ordering the same appetizer, main course and dessert."
Catherine, 51, and Michael, 76, are about to experience the first major change in their lives in a while.
"Michael and I are just about to become empty nesters, and that term for me is like so cold. What do you mean empty nesters? They are not going anywhere. They are just going off to school," she said.
Clearly, the "Chicago" star is proud of her children: Dylan, 20 and Carys, 18.
"I see what both Michael and I have done — and I'm not bragging — you never know as a parent what you are going to get. The best laid plans, whatever, it's just two people come together and there is a creation and then you guide them," she said.
Carys and Dylan, Catherine said, are trying to make names of their own in Hollywood. Michael, though, has told them their famous family name would probably always hang over their heads.
"Their love of the craft of acting is so strong. … They are doing politics and history in school, but their passion is acting," Catherine said. "And they've never done anything professional, but they would like to go into acting. And you know you come from a family where your name is synonymous [with acting] — very much like Michael [was]. [They're] very similar stories where you both had to be 'the kids of.'"
Catherine's path to fame was far different, as she often had to audition for roles.
"But my kids, Michael has said to them what it is like to be 'the daughter of' in the same industry, which I guess is similar if you are in business. If you are successful in business … it's not an easy way in [for your kids]. In fact, one has to prove oneself more. So even with that deterrent, my kids are like, 'No, sorry, we still want to do it,'" the actress said. "And I've had a wonderful life being an actor, and if they get half the joy that I've had, [great]."
She added, "All I want is my kids to be happy and healthy — everything else is a bonus, right? With my children, I tried to instill those qualities the best I could. And [for] both Michael and I, the best, best joy is when we get complimented about our kids' behavior and their manners and how they are just two good, grounded kids."