Michael Douglas has announced he is stepping away from acting after a career spanning nearly six decades. Speaking at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, where he presented a restored version of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Douglas said he intentionally stopped working in 2022.

Reflecting on his decision, the Wall Street star explained he did not want to continue working indefinitely. While he stopped short of calling it a full retirement, he said he would only return if an exceptional project emerged.

Fans quickly reacted online, praising his legacy and describing his departure as the close of an era. Many highlighted his decades of bold performances and box office successes.

Douglas was last seen in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania and the historical drama Franklin, both filmed in 2021. Since then, he has not taken on new screen roles.

Although he mentioned developing a small independent project, no additional work is currently planned. Instead, he shares glimpses of his personal life through social media.

A recent Independence Day video drew significant attention, with many admiring him while others commented on his appearance at age 80.

In 2010, Douglas was diagnosed with stage four throat cancer, later attributing it to HPV in an interview with The Guardian. After intensive treatment, he recovered and now focuses on family life and supporting his wife’s career.