Cher is not holding a grudge against Michael Douglas, her representative told Entertainment Weekly, after the actor suggested Glenn Close deserved the 1988 best actress Oscar that Cher won for Moonstruck. “Cher adores Michael Douglas,” the representative wrote in a four-word statement, USA Today reported.
Douglas Airs 1988 Oscar Regret on Graham Norton
On an Oct. 30 episode of “The Graham Norton Show,” Douglas, 82, said Close “should have won with ‘Fatal Attraction'” before noting “Cher won that year.” Host Graham Norton reacted with “Oh, wow,” and Douglas replied, “I know, that’s what we all said.”
Close, seated next to Douglas, lightly scolded him in the moment: “Michael, be kind!” She has received eight competitive Oscar nominations without a win. Douglas doubled down on his praise, declaring that Close “gave one of the greatest performances of all time.”
Close’s Honorary Oscar Arrives November 15
The timing of Douglas’s comments lands weeks before Close receives an honorary Academy Award at the 17th Governors Awards in Los Angeles on Nov. 15. Close herself quipped about the honor, saying, “They probably don’t want to feel guilty anymore,” according to USA Today.
The Governors Awards ceremony will formally recognize Close’s career. She came widely predicted to win a competitive Oscar for The Wife at the 2019 ceremony, but Olivia Colman took the award for The Favourite, AOL reported.
The 1988 Best Actress Race
Cher won the best actress Oscar for her performance as Loretta Castorini in the romantic comedy Moonstruck. The category also included Holly Hunter for Broadcast News, Sally Kirkland for Anna, and Meryl Streep for Ironweed, USA Today reported.
That same night, Douglas won best actor for Wall Street. He also holds an Oscar as a producer of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.
Cher responds to Michael Douglas dissing her Oscar win for "Moonstruck," with a rep for the icon saying: "Cher adores Michael Douglas." Appearing alongside Glenn Close on a recent episode of âThe Graham Norton Show,â Douglas noted that âshe should have won [the Oscar] with⌠pic.twitter.com/eRmBhQ8KtIâ
Cher had been nominated once before, for best supporting actress in 1984 for Silkwood, Yardbarker reported. The Moonstruck win remains her only competitive Academy Award.
Close’s Eight Nominations Span Four Decades
Douglas also recounted on the show that the Fatal Attraction crew initially doubted Close was right for the role of Alex Forrest. “Everybody thought that Glenn was not right for the part,” he said, AOL reported.
What Remains Unanswered
USA Today has reached out to representatives of both Cher and Douglas for comment. Neither has issued a statement beyond the four-word message from Cher’s representative.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Cher-Glenn Close Oscar Debate
Which film earned Cher her Oscar?
Cher won best actress for Moonstruck (1987) at the 1988 ceremony, beating Close’s Fatal Attraction nomination.
Who else was nominated for best actress in 1988?
Holly Hunter for Broadcast News, Sally Kirkland for Anna, and Meryl Streep for Ironweed rounded out the category.
When did Michael Douglas make the comments about Close deserving the Oscar?
Douglas made the remarks on an Oct. 30 episode of “The Graham Norton Show” alongside Close, Naomi Ackie, and Kieran Culkin.
Michael Douglas said Glenn Close (Fatal Attraction) should've won the best actress Oscar over Cher (Moonstruck) in 1988. Cher responds via a rep: "Cher adores Michael Douglas."https://t.co/2muAYutiiz
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'Cher Adores Michael Douglas,' Icon's Rep Says After Douglas Disses Her Oscar Win for 'Moonstruck' https://t.co/iYfBV3NsJ3
Cher responded after Michael Douglas shaded her 1988 Oscars victory for âMoonstruck,â after Douglas took a dig at the pop icon for beating Glenn Close at the 60th Academy Awards. https://t.co/u83NDbPy34
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