How Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas's nepo-baby children are determined to follow their parents' footsteps into Hollywood - despite their father's stark warning
Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas both have impressive CVs filled with Hollywood hits, such as Chicago, Fatal Attraction and The Mask of Zorro - and now, their two lookalike children are striving to following in their footsteps.
Their daughter, Carys Zeta Douglas, 22, has just received her degree in Film and International Relations from Brown University in Rhode Island, after graduating this weekend in front of her overjoyed parents.
She regularly delights her 236,000 Instagram followers with piano and singing performances, which are repeatedly gushed over by her mother, who has praised her renditions as 'beautiful' and 'amazing.'
Carys' IMDb has four credits thus far but her work includes the short film Shell and working as a second assistant director on the short August.
The graduate's latest film, another short called F*ck That Guy, headed to the PROOF Film Festival in Los Angeles and saw Spike Lee serve as an executive producer.
Her brother Dylan Michael Douglas, 24, meanwhile, has a short resume on IMDb - but he still remains in the spotlight, hosting Young American with Dylan Douglas, a 'Gen Z powered political talk show'.
Catherine has previously opened up about how both her children are determined to get into acting - despite a candid warning from their father.
The Welsh actress said on The Drew Barrymore Show in 2021: 'Their love of the craft of acting is so strong that even when their brains are doing politics and history in school, their passion is acting.
'And they've never done anything professional, but they would like to go into acting' the proud mother revealed.
Dylan and Carys choice in careers is perhaps unsurprising since acting is a prominent part of Michael's family background. He is the son of legendary actor Kirk Douglas and actress Diana Dill.
But Catherine's daughter has even been warned by Michael that if she pursues a career in Hollywood she will always be referred to as 'the daughter of', revealed the Chicago actress.
The mother-of-two said: 'In fact one has to prove oneself more, so even with that deterrent my kids are like, "No, sorry we still want to do it."'
'And I've had a wonderful life being an actor and if they get half the joy that I've had. All I want is my kids to be happy and healthy, everything else is a bonus right,' stated the Hollywood star.
But in another interview that year, Catherine admitted that she and her husband would encourage their children to explore career opportunities outside of acting.
'Michael and I would be the first parents to say, "You know, maybe you should think of another career," but we've seen how passionate they are about the craft,' she said on TODAY.
She added: 'They know what celebritydom is. They know the good, the bad, warts and all of that.'
Carys Zeta Douglas, pictured left, and Dylan Michael Douglas, pictured right. Cary's IMDb has four credits thus far but her work includes the short film Shell and working as a second assistant director on the short August
The proud parents attended their 22-year-old daughter's graduation from her Ivy League school this weekend, and seemed overjoyed to be celebrating the milestone.
Taking to Instagram on Sunday, Catherine, 55, uploaded a snap of her and Michael, 80, both planting a kiss on Carys' cheek, leaving her followers blown away by one particular detail.
The image was taken the night before Carys' graduation ceremony, with the young adult wearing a white full-length dress, while her Mask of Zorro actress mother sported a black two-piece suit. Michael, meanwhile, opted for a navy suit.
Captioning the picture, Catherine wrote: 'The night before graduation!!!! We are both such proud parents right now!! It's only just begun!!'
The proud mother went on to share several Instagram stories on Sunday, including footage of their daughter in her graduation robes.
Catherine's followers, however, seemed distracted at her striking resemblance to Carys. Taking to the comments, one said: 'The apple doesn't fall far from the tree, could not be more true! Stunning and best wishes for the future.'
'Congrats Carys you remind me of your gorgeous mom when she starred in Darling Buds of May,' another wrote. A third added: 'Congratulations and gorgeous like her mama.'
'You can be proud of her, and she looks so much like you,' continued a fourth. 'What a beauty,' added a fifth. 'Like her mother.'
Catherine also posted more details from the celebrations on her Instagram stories, including a cake decorated with the message, 'Congratulations Graduation Class of 25.'
Other pictures showed emotional embraces and joyful moments shared among the graduating class.
In 2021, on The Drew Barrymore Show, Catherine discussed both her children leaving home - but insisted it gives her joy to be an empty nester.
'Because I see what both Michael and I have done and I'm not bragging, you never know as a parent what you are going to get. The best laid plans, whatever, it's just two people come together and there is a creation and then you guide them. I had a mother who…who was a wonderful,' she shared.
The Ocean's 12 star added: 'With my children I tried to instil those qualities the best I could and both Michael and I the best, best joy is when we get complimented about our kid's behaviour and their manners and how they are just good two grounded kids.'
In April 2024, Oscar-winning actor Michael revealed how he was lucky that his children still wanted to holiday with their parents.
He told Today: 'Catherine and I are blessed with the fact that our kids Dylan and Carys still like to travel with us. And so we just finished five weeks in India at Christmastime. And we're always planning next year, what our trips will be and where we'll go.'
'It's just a treat,' the Franklin star responded when asked if it's nice to spend time with his children.
'Especially when you're not forcing them. I said, "Catherine, look, they actually want to hang out with us." I said, "You know, it's good."'
'But we've got good trips,' the actor joked. 'We seduce them with good places to go.'
The actor previously spoke about prying into his daughter's dating life during an interview with Entertainment Tonight, where he expressed that he was happy to give her tips on dealing with potential partners.
He stated: 'I give a lot of unsolicited advice, which is not a great idea, but I can't help myself!'
In 2022, Catherine praised her children, telling People: 'Both my daughter and Dylan have been so incredibly supportive to me, not just as an actor, but just me, you know. I'm extremely blessed to be able to have both of them in my life.'
Meanwhile, in 2023, Carys mesmerised followers by sharing a series of videos that showcase her musical talents.
Not only has she wowed with her stunning singing skills but has also flaunted her brilliance on the piano.
And her mother Catherine has repeatedly gushed over her performances as she praised the renditions as 'beautiful' and 'amazing.'
Proving just how close their mother-daughter relationship remains, Carys (pictured left) wore one of Catherine's famed dressed for her 21st birthday in April last year. Pictured right, Catherine seen in the same dress in 1999
Carys looks set to follow in the footsteps of her famous parents as she begins to make moves in the world of entertainment.
In one of her most recent videos, Carys could be seen on stage alongside The Honky Tonks - a house band at the Hus Mals og Menningar bar in Reykjavik, Iceland.
One of the band members even falls to his knees in front of Carys and clutches her shoulder in apparent praise when the performance comes to an end.
Having shared the clip to Instagram without a caption, Catherine commented: 'Carys!!!!! Amazing! Wish I was there. Love you. Have a blast baby.'
The bands lead singer then replied to the actress to reveal: 'Yes Catherine, your daughter was amazing. I'm Sibbi, the singer in the band and we play Shallow every night with different guest singers.
'Carys is one of the best we've ever had. I went down on my knees and begged to come back the following night.'
But it isn't the first time Carys has put her singing talents on display having previously shared a clip of her performing a cover of I Can't Make You Love Me by Bonnie Raitt.
She also played the piano for the performance which appears to have been recorded at home.
Carys has also shared a slew of other performances to her Instagram Highlights including alongside Brown University band The Sundials.
For her 21st birthday in April last year, Carys wore one of Catherine's famed dresses, proving just how close their mother-daughter relationship remains.
The graduate sported the Oscar-winner's pink silk and lace slip Ungaro dress from 25 years ago, which the Chicago star debuted at the 1999 MTV Movie Awards at Barker Hanger in Santa Monica, California.
'The most perfect 21st I could ask for!' wrote Carys in her Instagram caption. Her mother responded: 'You deserve it sweetheart,' before posting her own tribute to social media.
Sharing snaps of her daughter, Catherine wrote: 'Happy Birthday to my beautiful daughter @carys.douglas You are the joy of my life.
'21 years of watching you blossom in to the most incredible woman you are today is a God given gift that I never take for granted and cherish every day of my life. Thank you for being you. I love you with all my heart. Mama.'
Meanwhile, Catherine marked her son Dylan's 24th birthday in August last year, by sharing a heartfelt tribute and never-before-seen footage from his childhood.
The Oscar winner uploaded a home video to her Instagram account that showed her fawning over her eldest child when he was just a baby boy.
'Happy 24th Birthday to my son @dylan__douglas,' she captioned the post. 'The joy and love you give me every day is insurmountable. To be your Mama is a gift that I never take for granted. I love you my beautiful boy.'
In the recording, taken when Catherine was 30, she can be seen staring adoringly at her newborn, who was laying on a bathroom counter on top of a fluffy white towel.
Despite the inevitable sleepless nights that all first-time mothers endure, the actress looked well-rested and joyful as her little one reached toward her and kicked his feet in the air.
Michael and Catherine met in 1998 at the Deauville Film Festival, where the Ant-Man actor was promoting A Perfect Murder with Gwyneth Paltrow.
Catherine was there supporting her film The Mask of Zorro with Antonio Banderas.
Michael, who also has son Cameron Douglas, 44, from a previous marriage, famously told her soon after they met, 'I want to father your children,' before the couple later wed at The Plaza in New York City in 2000.
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