Michael Douglas has questioned Cher's 1988 best actress Oscar victory over Glenn Close, saying his Fatal Attraction co-star deserved the award for her performance in the thriller. Cher's representative responded with a brief statement expressing affection for Douglas.
Douglas made the remarks on the 30 October 2026 episode of The Graham Norton Show, appearing alongside Close, Kieran Culkin, and Naomi Ackie. The discussion began with Close's forthcoming honorary Academy Award and her record of eight competitive nominations without a win.
Douglas Revisits the 1988 Oscar Result
Close joked that the Academy was honouring her because its members 'probably don't want to feel guilty anymore.' Douglas then returned to her portrayal of Alex Forrest in the 1987 film Fatal Attraction, which earned her a Best Actress nomination.
'She should have won with Fatal Attraction,' Douglas said. He recalled Close's nomination and noted that Cher won that year for Moonstruck. Norton reacted, 'Oh, wow,' and Douglas replied, 'I know, that's what we all said.'
The exchange drew laughter from the studio audience. Norton told Douglas, 'Michael, be kind!' Ackie reacted, 'The shade, mate!' Douglas continued to praise Close's performance, describing it as 'one of the greatest performances of all time.'
Fatal Attraction starred Douglas as Dan Gallagher, a married lawyer whose affair with Close's Alex Forrest has dangerous consequences. The film received six Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actress, but won none.
Douglas and Close also discussed how Close secured the role. Douglas recalled that members of the production team initially doubted she was suited to play Alex, but her agent pressed for an audition. Close went on to receive one of the film's six Academy Award nominations.
Cher's Representative Responds
In response to Douglas's criticism of Cher's win, her representative simply told Entertainment Weekly: 'Cher adores Michael Douglas.'
Cher won Best Actress at the 60th Academy Awards on 11 April 1988 for playing Loretta Castorini in Moonstruck. The romantic comedy follows a widowed Brooklyn woman who becomes romantically involved with her fiancé's younger brother, played by Nicolas Cage.
The other Best Actress nominees that year were Holly Hunter for Broadcast News, Sally Kirkland for Anna, and Meryl Streep for Ironweed. Cher had previously received a supporting actress nomination for Silkwood, which also starred Meryl Streep.
Douglas also won an Oscar at the 1988 ceremony, taking Best Actor for his performance as Gordon Gekko in Wall Street. He had earlier won the Best Picture Oscar as a producer of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest at the 1976 ceremony.
Close Awaits an Honorary Oscar
Close has received eight competitive Oscar nominations across the leading and supporting actress categories without winning. Her nominated films are The World According to Garp, The Big Chill, The Natural, Fatal Attraction, Dangerous Liaisons, Albert Nobbs, The Wife, and Hillbilly Elegy.
The Academy announced in June 2026 that Close would receive an honorary Oscar at the Governors Awards scheduled for 15 November 2026. The award recognises her career, but does not change her record of competitive nominations or the outcome of the 1988 Best Actress contest.
