Coming from a family of actors and producers, the entertainment industry is in Michael Douglas’ blood. However, few would have predicted that he would hold the position of one of the most powerful figures in Hollywood, receiving six Golden Globes, one Genie, four Emmys, two BAFTAs and two Oscars.
His production career began in the 1960s alongside his father, Kirk. Nine years later, he appeared in Hail, Hero, and Adam at 6AM. Summertree followed, as well as a foray into the TV world with The Streets of San Francisco (1972-77). He got his big break came with One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975), a film he executive produced. It was awarded five Oscars, including Best Picture.
Since Cuckoo’s Nest, Douglas enjoyed consistent critical acclaim with acting parts in Romancing the Stone (1984), Jewel of the Nile (1985), Fatal Attraction (1987), Wall Street (1987) and War of the Roses (1989).
Douglas garnered equal amounts of praise for his productions, including the films Flatliners (1990), Radio Flyer (1992), Made in America (1993), Face/OFF (1997), and John Grisham’s The Rainmaker (1997).
His most recent work includes leading roles in Wonder Boys (2000) and Traffic (2000).
Douglas is one of the few actors and producers who enjoy a steady stream of prestige and prominence in the entertainment industry. He also made social causes a priority at the very outset of their big break. Soon after One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest was a dazzling success, Douglas co-produced The China Syndrome with Jane Fonda. The movie profiled the hazards of nuclear power at the same time that Three Mile Island was experiencing a near meltdown.
His advocacy for social causes did not stop with production of The China Syndrome. In 1991, he founded a non-profit organization called the Michael Douglas Foundation to promote peace and sustainable development.
As a UN Messenger for Peace, Michael went to the small West African country of Sierra Leone to film an episode on child soldiers for the Showtime family television series, What’s Going On? This episode explores how child soldiers, who were abducted and forced to participate in atrocious acts during Sierra Leone’s decade-long civil war, can be reconciled with their families and reintegrated back into their communities. Michael described his encounters with these children as “one of the most moving experiences I have ever had.”
It was Michael’s encounter with one young boy named Abu Bakar Bangura that touched him very deeply. Abu was living at the Child Protection Care Center run by UNICEF partner, the International Rescue Committee (IRC). Hundreds of children have passed through the Center and were reunited with their families, but Abu’s parents had not yet been located.
Abu was closed off, but Michael kept searching for ways to reach him. As they talked, Michael let Abu set the pace, following with gentle questions about his life as a child soldier. He sensed that there was a little boy inside the tough shell and decided to try a song as a way of getting through. Abu listened intently as Michael sang, “A Bushel and a Peck,” a song he used to sing for his own son. Then Abu announced that he had a song for Michael.
The world famous actor was clearly moved as Abu’s gentle voice revealed the sweet child within. “For every child the key to unlock the little boy or girl is different. For Abu it was a song,” said Douglas.
Douglas decided to travel by UN helicopter with Abu and T-Boy, the IRC assistant program manager, to a village in search of Abu’s family, although no one knew for sure where Abu came from because he had been abducted when he was very small and did not remember his home.
The car, which was supposed to pick them up, never arrived, so the film crew, Michael, T-Boy, and Abu set out on foot, stopping at villages along the way to check on directions and ask if anyone knew about Abu's family. But no one did. As Abu strode out alone, ahead of the small group, Douglas sensed the young boy’s loneliness. “The search has been so draining. I can’t imagine what Abu is going through,” he said.
Finally, they arrived at the village and waited for the local elder to meet them. Then suddenly, Abu leapt to his feet and rushed towards a woman. Douglas was overwhelmed when he saw Abu running to his mother.
Unbelievably, and completely unplanned, they had found Abu’s family. “It’s incredible to see Abu in his mother’s arms. I never expected to see Abu reunited with his family,” said Douglas. "This moment could not have been scripted better."
