Michael Douglas reveals how ex Jeanne Tripplehorn reacted to his bombshell affair reveal

Michael Douglas got Jeanne Tripplehorn’s approval before he wrote about their affair in his explosive new memoir.

“I talked to her before I put it in the book,” he told Page Six in an exclusive interview, before assuring that “she was fine” with it.

In “One Helluva Ride,” the actor revealed he had conducted a torrid fling with Tripplehorn, 63, while filming “Basic Instinct.”

In his new memoir, Michael Douglas revealed an on-set affair with Jeanne Tripplehorn on the set of “Basic Instinct.” ©TriStar Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection
The movie also starred Sharon Stone. WireImage

At the time of the film’s release, many assumed that Douglas was having an affair with another female co-star, Sharon Stone, due to their steamy scenes together.

“The truth is, I fell very hard for Jeanne despite our nearly 20-year age difference,” the Oscar winner —who was married to his first wife, Diandra Luker, at the time — shared in the book.

“In fact, I was ready to officially leave my wife for Jeanne. I was crazy about her.”

Douglas, seen here in 2026, told Page Six he spoke to Tripplehorn while writing the book. AP Photo/Taylor Jewell
“The truth is, I fell very hard for Jeanne,” he wrote. Everett Collection / Everett Col

The “Wall Street” star noted, however, that he knew ditching nearly two decades of marriage and jumping right into another serious relationship would be the “worst thing” for him.

“My relationship with Jeanne lasted through production, then we went our separate ways,” the 82-year-old wrote in the book.

“But I will always think of her as an amazing actress and a truly terrific woman that I was very fortunate to spend time with.”

Douglas eventually divorced Luker, and he’s been married to Catherine Zeta-Jones, 57, since 2000. Tripplehorn went on to marry actor Leland Orser, 66, in 2000.

Douglas revealed he was ready to leave his wife for Tripplehorn (seen here). ©TriStar Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection
“One Helluva Ride” is out now. Grand Central Publishing via AP

The Oscar winner also told Page Six that he hasn’t seen Tripplehorn “in years” but called it an “important” relationship.

“These things are not just simply about having affairs. They’re important friendships and working together. She was fine. She’s been married for a long time,” they explained.

The tome also includes tales of Douglas’ affair with Kathleen Turner while filming “Romancing the Stone,” his cocaine addiction, his marriage to Catherine Zeta-Jones and bout with cancer.

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