Nearly four decades after one of Hollywood’s most memorable Academy Awards competitions, Michael Douglas is making it clear that he believes the wrong actress took home the Best Actress trophy in 1988.
The Oscar-winning actor recently revisited the famous awards showdown between Glenn Close and Cher, arguing that his Fatal Attraction costar deserved the honor for her unforgettable performance in the 1987 psychological thriller.
Douglas, 82, shared his thoughts during an October 30 appearance on The Graham Norton Show, where he reunited with Close, 79, for a conversation that quickly turned into a playful examination of Hollywood history.
Close had been discussing her upcoming honorary Academy Award, joking that the recognition might be the Academy’s way of making up for her long history of nominations without a competitive victory.
Douglas took the opportunity to defend his former costar, insisting that her performance in Fatal Attraction should have earned her the Best Actress Oscar.
The award instead went to Cher for her starring role in the romantic comedy Moonstruck, which also featured Nicolas Cage.
Douglas’s remarks drew laughter from Norton and fellow guests Kieran Culkin and Naomi Ackie, particularly as the conversation turned to the surprising outcome of the 1988 ceremony.
The actor went further than simply questioning the result. He expressed his admiration for Close’s portrayal of Alex Forrest, placing it among the finest performances ever captured on film.
Released in 1987, Fatal Attraction featured Douglas as Dan Gallagher, a married attorney whose affair with Close’s character spirals into increasingly dangerous territory.
The film became a major cultural phenomenon and earned six Academy Award nominations, including Best Actress for Close.
That year’s competition also included Holly Hunter for Broadcast News, Sally Kirkland for Anna, and Meryl Streep for Ironweed.
While Cher ultimately claimed the trophy, Close’s performance has remained a defining part of her career.
Douglas also revealed an unexpected detail about the film’s casting process.
According to the actor, the production team initially questioned whether Close was the right choice to play Alex Forrest. Despite already having three Oscar nominations to her name, she was not immediately embraced for the role.
Close’s representatives pushed for an audition, and her performance changed the filmmakers’ minds.
Douglas acknowledged that their original assessment had been completely wrong, recalling how thoroughly Close impressed everyone involved.
The renewed discussion arrives at a particularly meaningful moment for the actress.
After eight competitive Academy Award nominations without a win, Close is preparing to receive an honorary Oscar at the 2026 Governors Awards on November 15.
She will be recognized alongside director Ridley Scott and animator Floyd Norman.
For Douglas, however, the upcoming honor does not erase his belief that Close should have received Hollywood’s highest acting recognition decades earlier.
And while the Academy’s 1988 decision remains part of movie history, his comments demonstrate how a single Oscar result can continue generating conversation long after the envelopes have been opened.
