Michael Douglas Confirms Affair on ‘Basic Instinct’ Set, But Not With Sharon Stone

Actor reveals affair with Jeanne Tripplehorn during 'Basic Instinct' filming, not Sharon Stone as rumored.

October 7, 2026 One Min Read

POLICY WIRE — New York, United States — Actor Michael Douglas has confirmed that he had an affair during the production of the 1992 film Basic Instinct, but it was not with co-star Sharon Stone, as long speculated.

In his memoir One Helluva Ride, the 82-year-old actor disclosed that the relationship occurred with Jeanne Tripplehorn, who played a police psychologist in the erotic thriller. The pair reportedly kept their connection secret from the cast and crew, despite spending extensive time together both on and off set in San Francisco.

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At the time, Douglas was still married to Diandra Luker, and Tripplehorn was hesitant to become involved with a married man. However, Douglas claimed they had already separated and were seeing other people. He described the on-screen chemistry between them as reflective of the real passion that existed during their brief affair, which ended after the film wrapped.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)

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