Michael Douglas Says David Letterman ‘Went Too Far’ on Air, Sparking an 18-Year Grudge

The actor's candid new book doesn't shy away from old wounds or difficult chapters. It also offers a glimpse into the quieter, family-centered life he has built in recent years.

Michael Douglas is reflecting on an old feud. The "Basic Instinct" star revealed in his new memoir, "One Helluva Ride," that he held a years-long grudge against television host David Letterman.

In the book, Douglas revisits his 2010 stage IV throat cancer diagnosis, which he shared publicly during an appearance on "Late Show with David Letterman."

"I had been a regular guest on Letterman's show earlier in my career, but the last time I was on, I felt David went too far," Douglas wrote in his book, according to an excerpt obtained by People.

During that earlier appearance, Letterman played a TV commercial filmed by Douglas' late mother, Diana Dill, "without warning." The "Wall Street" star said the host then began "grilling" him about the commercial, something he didn't take kindly to.

"It felt like he was making fun of my mother," Douglas wrote, adding that the experience left him feeling Letterman had "a nasty sense of humor."

"After that, whenever the producers of the show requested to have me back on, I always refused. I said no for eighteen straight years. Dave wrote me personal letters to apologize, but my feelings didn't change. He had crossed a line," he explained.

Douglas eventually returned to Letterman's show, however, to promote "Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps," the 2010 sequel to his Oscar-winning 1987 film "Wall Street." It was during that appearance that he decided he needed to go public with his cancer diagnosis.

"With this new diagnosis, it was time to bury the hatchet with Dave," the actor recalled. This time, Letterman was "respectful" and asked "sincere and sympathetic questions," even hugging Douglas after he detailed his doctors' prognosis and radiation treatment.

"For years, my father and I had held on to grudges, used them to fuel our achievements, and looked to show people it was a mistake to cross a Douglas," the actor, who was declared cancer-free in 2011, concluded.

"But it felt so nice to clear the air with Dave, and for the first time I felt like life is too short to hold on to feuds. Letting go felt like it was more of a favor to myself than to Dave. Those grudges were a weight I carried, and I was done with revenge."

While promoting his memoir, Douglas also spoke to People about his current pace of work. The filmmaker admitted that he's "not very active anymore" when it comes to making movies.

Still, he would consider the right project. "I told my agents if they had a good director and a good script, sure. But I'm really not too involved in the career," the Oscar winner explained.

And though he recently took on a "small part" in "White Lies," the upcoming film from his "Wall Street" director Oliver Stone, his focus these days is on family. "I'm trying to find beautiful places to enjoy," Douglas said.

The "Fatal Attraction" star has made a habit of planning trips for his wife Catherine Zeta-Jones, 57, and their children Dylan, 26, and Carys, 23, as well as his son Cameron, 47, whom he shares with ex-wife Diandra Douglas.

As he shared in "One Helluva Ride," "I haven't slowed down but I spend my time very differently now. I've traded the adventures for making movies for adventures with my family. For the past few years, I've made sure to plan at least one big family trip every year."

"Catherine has declared me the world's best travel agent and she is the momarazzi, recording every last detail for posterity," he continued. But, is he retired?

"No, not officially," he wrote. "But it takes something special to pull me away from my wonderful life now. No matter what happens, even if I never appear in another picture again, it's been a magical, wonderful career."