Michael Douglas has expressed strong disapproval of the term "nepo baby" used to describe the children of prominent figures in the entertainment industry. Speaking in an interview about his autobiography, One Helluva Ride, the 82-year-old actor, whose father was the late Kirk Douglas, criticised the phrase as dismissive and unfair.

Douglas, who has long been viewed as part of Hollywood’s acting dynasty, said the label carries a “snotty tone” he resents. He noted that in other professions, parents openly support their children’s careers without facing similar criticism. “In every other business, every mother and father helps their kids,” he said, pointing out that family-run enterprises are common and respected outside of entertainment. “Whereas in this one, you’re criticised for being the same.”

His comments come amid renewed attention to the careers of his own children as they seek to establish themselves in the industry. Douglas’s wife, actress Catherine Zeta-Jones, also voiced dissatisfaction with the term, calling it “horrific.” She emphasized that their children Dylan, 26, and Carys, 23, did not choose their family background and are working to find their own paths. Dylan recently appeared in the thriller I Will Come To You, while Carys made her stage debut in an off-Broadway production of Anton Chekhov’s The Seagull in June.

Zeta-Jones added, “They love it and they’re good. Otherwise Michael and I would be the first to go: ‘You know what? Maybe law school looks really good.’” The couple’s remarks come as discussions about nepotism and privilege in Hollywood continue, with many observing the challenges faced by children of well-known actors navigating expectations and public scrutiny.

Michael Douglas’s objection to the phrase reflects a broader conversation about family legacies in the arts and whether inherited connections undermine individual merit. As the industry evolves, the debate over what constitutes fair advantage versus undue privilege remains unresolved.