Hollywood actor Michael Douglas has revealed that he smuggled nearly 200 pounds of marijuana from California to New York to finance his university education after his legendary father, Kirk Douglas, ended his financial support.
The Fatal Attraction star shared the extraordinary account in his memoir, One Helluva Ride, recalling how he turned to an illegal business venture to cover his remaining college expenses during the late 1960s and early 1970s.
According to Douglas, his father gave him $10,000 when he turned 21 and made it clear that he would have to manage his finances independently from then on.
However, Douglas still had two years of tuition and other expenses to cover while studying at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Faced with the challenge of financing his education, he devised an unconventional plan that involved transporting marijuana across the country.
How Douglas turned suitcases into a business opportunity
Douglas recalled that his father had gifted him two Italian leather suitcases, which he eventually used to transport marijuana from California to New York.
Each suitcase could hold approximately 22 kilograms of the drug, allowing him to carry around 44 kilograms in a single trip.
In his memoir, Douglas explained that he purchased marijuana in California for $75 per kilogram and sold it in New York for $500 per kilogram.
He reportedly carried out the operation twice, transporting a total of 88 kilograms, equivalent to more than 194 pounds.
The two trips generated an estimated profit of $37,400, according to the account. Adjusted for inflation, that amount would be worth more than $360,000 today.
Douglas recalled travelling with the suitcases without encountering problems at the airport before selling the marijuana to a contact in New York.
The operation provided him with the money he needed to meet his remaining university expenses without relying on further financial assistance from his father.
Michael Douglas eventually told his father
The actor also described how his father eventually learned about the unusual source of his son’s financial independence.
According to Douglas, Kirk Douglas had begun presenting Michael’s ability to support himself as an example to his brothers.
Michael then reminded his father of the two Italian suitcases he had received as a Christmas gift and explained how he had put them to use.
The revelation offered an unexpected twist to the family’s story, turning a gift from the Hollywood legend into an essential part of his son’s attempt to finance his education.
Douglas has since acknowledged that his actions were neither legal nor a responsible approach to paying for college.
He reflected that applying for a student loan would have been a more sensible alternative, although he had not considered that option at the time.
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Memoir explores life before Hollywood fame
The story appears in One Helluva Ride, in which Douglas reflects on his upbringing, family relationships, career and experiences during his younger years.
The actor has also discussed the episode publicly, including during an appearance on Real Time with Bill Maher on October 9.
During the conversation, Douglas recalled the circumstances surrounding his father’s decision to stop supporting him financially while he was still studying.
He also discussed his experiences of taking on ordinary jobs despite growing up as the son of one of Hollywood’s biggest stars.
The memoir provides a more personal account of the experiences that shaped Douglas before he established himself as a prominent actor and producer.
From unconventional student to Hollywood star
Michael Douglas went on to build a successful career in the entertainment industry, earning recognition for films including Wall Street, Fatal Attraction and Basic Instinct.
His account of financing his education through marijuana smuggling offers a striking glimpse into a little-known chapter of his early life.
According to his memoir, Douglas completed his university education without taking out student loans or carrying outstanding education debt.
Although he now recognises that his approach was not one to recommend, the story highlights the lengths he says he went to in order to achieve financial independence at a young age.
The revelation has also added an unexpected dimension to the promotion of One Helluva Ride, as readers gain insight into the Hollywood star’s life before fame, fortune and a career that would span decades.
