Michael Douglas started his movie career in Hail, Hero!, a 1969 drama about a generation gap that is looking for a hero. Douglas plays Carl Dixon, the designated hero. Since that debut, in the past 40+ years Douglas has made a huge name for himself in the film industry, usually for playing successful business executives or political characters.
One thing few people realize about Michael Douglas is that beneath his usually-suave exterior is an action movie star. The next time you are in the mood for an action flick, why not pick up one with Michael Douglas.
Michael Douglas Action Movies From the Past Decade
The Sentinel (2006) - Douglas plays a secret service agent who is framed for the attempted assassination of a president and the murder of a White House Agent. While on the run from a ruthless FBI agent, he must clear his name and stop another presidential assassination attempt. (Rated PG-13)
The In-Laws (2003) - In this comedic action flick, Douglas plays an international smuggler who spends his days dodging bullets, wrestling gunmen, and stealing private planes. When his son gets engaged to the daughter of a podiatrist, the two fathers-in-law-to-be meet and each man has serious concerns about the other. Now the worry is that the wedding will blow up! (Rated PG-13)
Older Michael Douglas Action Films
Black Rain (1989) - This movie is about two New York cops who get thrust into a gang war with the Japanese Mafia; Douglas plays one of the cops. He and his partner arrest one of the gang members and escort him back to Japan where he subsequently escapes. While the two cops try and track down the killer again, they get even more enmeshed in the mafia gang. (Rated R)
The Jewel of the Nile (1985) - In this sequel to Romancing the Stone, Joan and Jack are bored with their life of luxury on their yacht so Joan accepts an invitation to visit a sheik in the Middle East. But Joan gets kidnapped and it's up to Jack to rescue her. (Rated PG)
Romancing the Stone (1984) - Joan, a romance writer (played by Kathleen Turner), sets off for Columbia to exchange her kidnapped sister for a treasure map she has. But a corrupt Columbian cop wants the map for himself. Jack, a soldier-of-fortune (played by Michael Douglas), steps in to help Joan. (Rated PG)
The Star Chamber (1983) - In this action flick, Douglas plays a judge with his own ideas about how to punish the guilty. (Rated R)
Haywire
Michael Douglas' action movie list will be one film longer in April 2011 when his movie Haywire hits theatres. It is the story of a black ops super soldier who seeks vengeance when she is betrayed during a mission. (Not Yet Rated)
The next time you are in the mood for an action film, look beyond the regular action movie stars and consider a Michael Douglas movie.
Toby Welch - Toby is a full-time freelance writer who specializes in magazine articles, online writing, e-books, and manuscript editing.
Join the Conversation