Interview: Catherine Zeta Jones


By Anna Saunders

In an age where actors shoot to stardom but burn out quickly, Catherine Zeta-Jones is a rarity. Not only has the Oscar- winning actress's career spanned several decades but, after more than seven years, her marriage to Michael Douglas is also still going strong, showing none of the fragility that plagues many Hollywood relationships.

Then again, fragility isn't the first thing that springs to mind when faced with Zeta-Jones. The 38 year old, whose con- versation is peppered with plenty of laughs, isn't afraid to admit that she's always been determined and focused, especially when it comes to her career.

As a result, the Welsh beauty has made the notoriously difficult transition from stage and TV to the silver screen look easy, landing roles in everything from British television series The Darling Buds Of May to films such as Traffic and Ocean's Twelve, not to mention her Oscar-winning turn in the movie version of the musical Chicago.

At the same time, the refreshingly candid mother of two – who married into the Douglas Hollywood dynasty in 2000 – hasn't been swept up in the machinations of the movie industry and moved to Bermuda to help shield her children from the media.

This month, Zeta-Jones appears in Death Defying Acts, based on the life of magician and escape artist Harry Houdini, which was directed by Australian Gillian Armstrong and also stars Guy Pearce.

What attracted you to the role of psychic Mary McGarvie in Death Defying Acts?
It was a different role for me after finishing No Reservations, and I've always been fascinated by Houdini. Even though my character is fictitious, it seemed like a great role and a great story to be told. I'd never worked with a female director before, so I was interested to see how that dynamic was, and I actually loved it. And then with Guy [Pearce] as well, it was a completely Australian love-fest there for a bit!

You've worked with George Clooney, Brad Pitt and now Guy Pearce. What are they like?
Well, they're all really good, solid actors who just happen to be really gorgeous-looking guys. It's a tough job (laughs), but I've been very lucky with my leading men. They're all very laid-back ... They're not tortured people. They love their craft, but they don't torture themselves to be able to do it. And that just makes for a really fun, relaxed work environment.

And Michael doesn't get nervous about the fact that you work with some of the world's most handsome men?
(Laughs) No! He says, "Good for you! Do it while you can."

Tell me about meeting your husband.
Well, he was way too goofy for my expectations of how Michael Douglas would be. But, first of all, I just knew we had a very compatible sense of humour, which I think is one of the key things. It was pretty soon after that I remember saying to my mother, "I think I'm going to marry this guy." And she said, "Oh, don't be so ridiculous." Even with the age difference, I feel very compatible with him. We have a lot of fun and look out for one another. When we met he was in a very good place; he had a very solid career as both a producer and as an actor, so it wasn't as though we were vying for the same roles. There was no sense of competition, or whose agent is calling first.

You married in 2000. Is there any sign of the seven-year itch?
Not yet (laughs)! We're very happy. I think if you can get to seven years you'll be fine. I'm looking forward to the next seven.

Do you enjoy getting glammed up for the red carpet?
I do; I love great clothes. What I hate is the red carpet scrutiny where you're critiqued on everything from the colour of your toenails to the shape of your eyebrows.

The litigation over publication of your wedding photos attracted criticism. How's your relationship with the media now?
I don't think it ever changes; it depends on what kind of media and what kind of paparazzi. There are paparazzi guys I've known for years in London and LA who are not intrusive and don't get mean or abusive. That's fine, and when I walk down a red carpet, you know you're going to be photographed; you're not standing there in a pretty dress for nothing. But it is intimidating. It was much more intimidating when I was pregnant or I had a baby in the back of the car and I was being pursued. I am pretty much away from the constant media scrutiny [living in Bermuda], though.

You mentioned that some paparazzi get mean and abusive.
You always get one [paparazzo] and for them, when you're on the red carpet, you're never going to be standing there for long enough. And if you don't, you get some abusive comment. I try not to react or get crazy about it. What are you going to do? I just smile and keep walking.

Since you first broke into Hollywood, you've always seemed more mature than other actresses. Is that how you feel?
It is. You know, I've been professional in this business since I was nine years old. So I feel as though I'm more professionally mature – that I "get it". When I met my husband there was a media frenzy about me being 25 years younger than Michael, and we couldn't go anywhere without being photographed. But it didn't sideswipe me as much as it would have if I hadn't been in the business that long. And I think those years of treading the boards, putting in the hours, eight shows a week for two years, as I did with [the musical] 42nd Street, takes away the sunglasses and the paparazzi and makes you realise this is a job.

You started appearing in professional productions at age nine and left school at 15 to act full time. It seems as though you've always been very focused.
Yes, I've always known what I wanted to do and in a way it makes it easier to focus. [My career] didn't really come to me – I wasn't plucked off the street or at an ice-cream bar. It was something I've always wanted to do. Actually, film was the only thing that kind of sideswiped me because I just presumed I'd always do theatre.

You're 38. How do you feel about turning 40?
I'm looking forward to it. I'm going to have a big party because my husband's going to be 65 on the same day, so we're holding out for that big bash. I remember in my 20s thinking, "I'm going to be 30 in the millennium," and thinking, "Gosh, that's so old!" I feel comfortable about hitting the big 4-0.

What do you think is the single biggest misconception about you?
The label of "old Hollywood glamour". It's nice in one article, but it keeps coming up! I think I understand where it comes from. But do I swan around in an apartment like the one Michael had in A Perfect Murder with a kimono and grapes? I'm much more down-to-earth ... I've never been a neurotic person. So that's probably the biggest misconception – that I swan around in full make-up and hair constantly.

If you had to describe your perfect day, what would it involve?
It would be getting up, going for a little work-out or walk; maybe playing nine holes of golf just after I drop off my kids at school. Then, picking them up, having fun, taking them for an ice-cream. Having an early supper with them, then having a massage. Which is exactly what I did yesterday!

You've starred in several films recently, while Michael hasn't. Does he take a more active role with your children?
Oh, definitely. This is the second time round [with children] for Michael. The first time round – and he's the first person to say it, I'm not speaking out of turn here – he was becoming "Michael Douglas", and physically and emotionally he just wasn't there. He couldn't be there as much as he can be now. And it's just a joy to behold; he's an amazing father, a great husband, completely hands-on.

Has having children changed you?
Completely. All the things you used to worry about go on the backburner. It gives me such joy to be around them, to see them grow in this environment but also to protect them from a very, very good lifestyle. I mean, these children fly in private jets; they're in situations that, in my wildest dreams as a kid, I couldn't even imagine. Our job is to keep them grounded.

Do you have any regrets?
No, not at all. I'm really proud of the fact that I've had the balls to pack up and keep moving. I've always thought, at the back of my mind, that I have to have the confidence to make the leap, even if I fail, so that when I'm an old woman I can always say, well, I gave it my best shot.
©Marie Claire, April Issue 2008