Catherine Zeta-Jones has praised her children with Michael Douglas for their determination and work ethic as they pursue careers in the family’s acting profession.
Douglas, 82, and Zeta-Jones, 57, have been married since 2000. They share son Dylan, 26, and daughter Carys, 23.
Zeta-Jones recently described the phrase “nepo baby” as “horrific” and has now passionately defended her children’s choice to enter the entertainment industry.
“We told them all the [Hollywood] horror stories to see if their passion for the art and the craft was genuine,” she told AARP Magazine.
The Chicago actress explained that both children had immersed themselves in performances and theater programs from an early age.
“But they’ve done every production, they went to every theater camp. Sometimes it was like: ‘Can you just come home from theater camp? Can we have two weeks to see you at the summer break?’” she said.
Despite her pleas, Dylan and Carys continued pursuing their ambitions and “worked every college film and musical and straight play,” according to their mother.
Catherine Zeta-Jones, who recently called the phrase “nepo baby” “horrific,” has strongly defended her children’s decision to follow her and Michael Douglas into acting
!['We told them all the [Hollywood] horror stories to see if their passion for the art and the craft was genuine,' the Welsh star insisted to AARP Magazine](https://i.dailymail.com/1s/2026/09/30/22/111575787-16173901-image-a-42_1790802740875.jpg)
“We told them all the [Hollywood] horror stories to see if their passion for the art and the craft was genuine,” the Welsh star told AARP Magazine
“It’s a very small percentage of our business that can really make a living out of doing what we love. But they certainly do love it,” she said.
“Look at the world and the life that acting has given me. I mean, it’s amazing. I would give anybody the opportunity that I’ve had, and they’re loving it, they’re working hard, they’re auditioning and they’re making their way by themselves, their own path. And I’m very proud of them both,” Zeta-Jones added.
Both children graduated from Brown University. Dylan studied political science, while Carys earned a degree in film and international relations.
Zeta-Jones was pregnant with Dylan when she married Douglas and was expecting Carys when she won the Oscar for best supporting actress for Chicago.
Earlier this month, she said her children were “plugging away” at acting, while acknowledging that “it’s hard for them to forge a way forward on their own.”
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“This horrific phrase ‘nepo baby’ is horrible because these kids didn’t ask to be born into this, they’re finding their own way in life,” she told the Times.
“But they love it, and they’re good. Otherwise Michael and I would be the first to go: ‘You know what? Maybe law school looks really good.’”
Douglas is also part of a Hollywood dynasty. He is the son of Old Hollywood icon Kirk Douglas and his first wife, Diana Dill, who appeared on Days of Our Lives.
Despite their mother’s pleas, Dylan, 26, and Carys, 23, remain committed to pursuing careers on stage and screen. Above, the siblings with Zeta-Jones in 2019
Their father Michael Douglas, 82, has been married to Zeta-Jones since 2000 and is himself the son of Hollywood legend Kirk Douglas. Above, with his children in 2024
Dylan ventured into political commentary, a move that led to a widely mocked CNN debate last year with Republican commentator Scott Jennings
Dylan also tried his hand at political commentary, appearing in a fiery CNN debate last year with Republican commentator Scott Jennings.
During the discussion, the pair argued over which political party was responsible for the latest government shutdown. Dylan defended the Democrats but appeared flummoxed and stuttered during the exchange, prompting the clip to go viral and attracting widespread online mockery.
Following the incident, sources claimed Douglas believed CNN had “crossed a line,” while Zeta-Jones considered the segment “unfair and exploitative.”
“Dylan’s never been spoken to like that in his entire life,” one insider told showbiz reporter Rob Shuter. “He’s always been the golden boy — adored, protected. CNN gave him a taste of the real world, and his parents hated every second of it.”
The family reportedly viewed the debate as an ambush and a “total betrayal,” and were said to have decided they would no longer give interviews to CNN.
Jennings said he was bemused by the reported reaction, adding that he was “more than willing to apologize personally to Catherine Zeta-Jones over a nice seafood dinner if she wants to do it” on Meghan McCain’s podcast, Citizen McCain.
“Actually, I have to say Dylan was really nice off the air. I think he was honored to be there,” said Jennings, who served in the George W. Bush administration.
