Following in the footsteps of previous career achievement honorees like Robert De Niro, Robert Redford, Kevin Costner, Susan Sarandon, and Sharon Stone, Michael Douglas is being recognized by AARP for his lengthy career, the quality of his work, and his dedication to excellence. AARP’s Robert Love praises Douglas not only for his professional accomplishments but also for his activism and his reputation as an all-around good person.

Ironically, in a career that spans over 50 years, Douglas has found his greatest success playing morally complex characters such as villains, anti-heroes, and flawed individuals. His standout roles in films like “Wall Street” (for which he won the Academy Award for Best Actor), “Fatal Attraction,” “Basic Instinct,” “The War of the Roses,” and “Disclosure” highlight his talent for bringing depth to such characters. His portrayal of the ruthless Gordon Gekko in the “Wall Street” films is particularly iconic, showcasing his ability to fully inhabit ethically challenged roles.

Douglas himself acknowledges the appeal of playing “bad guys,” noting that these roles allow him to explore issues from multiple perspectives. He believes that life is not simply black and white, and this complexity is what makes such characters interesting to portray.