Michael Douglas 'intimidated by father'

Michael Douglas has confessed that he used to feel intimidated by his father Kirk.

The Wall Street actor, who is currently undergoing treatment for throat cancer, revealed that the fame and success surrounding his father had a powerful influence over their family.

"Kirk's career was constant, overwhelming," Douglas told The Guardian. "The guy didn't stop. Back then they were doing five movies a year. My father did 90-plus films. He was Spartacus!

"I always admired his tenacity and stamina but he was intimidating to me as a child. Like a lot of actors, he was consumed with ambition and his career.

"He was also consumed with guilt because of the time he spent away from the family. It took him a long time to come to terms with it. Some people don't get over it. We all get on well now."

Douglas also expressed his relief that his own acting career had not been suppressed by the achievements of his screen legend parent.

"There are not a lot of sons or daughters of actors who have made it," he stated. "Hollywood is awash with failures."

Douglas recently thanked his family for supporting him throughout his cancer battle.