A History Of Michael Douglas' Face

It was only a matter of time until I got around to examining the phenomenon which is the face of the one and only Michael Douglas.

After all, this is the man who not only was the seed of Kirk "Dimple-Chin" Douglas, but also the man who made us believe that greed was good. Twice.

Seeing that he has been in the entertainment biz since 1966, Michael (if I may be so bold) has went through many changes as an actor and as a man...and nowhere is that more obvious than in his face. A face that has seen more than its share of changes time and time again.

Let's face it: anyone who can wrangle themselves a career where they share sexy screen time with the likes of Jill Clayburgh, Kathleen Turner, Glenn Close, Sharon Stone, Melanie Griffith, Demi Moore, Liv Tyler AND still find time to be wed to Catherine Zeta-Jones...the face has got to tell the story somewhere along the way, doesn't it?

So let us go along the years and see just what kind of stories Michael's face tells us, the common viewer. Here we go.

TV SERIES MICHAEL

With unspoiled, smooth-skinned looks and nice wide Seventies sideburns, we notice a hard gaze unblemished by forehead wrinkles of even eye creases. This is the Michael most of us remember where he even made co-star Karl Malden look good by comparison.

Many women wouldn't have minded being made to sweat under the interrogation lights by Michael at this stage, but he was still only beginning to show facial character; the arching of eyebrows is a good beginning.

FACE METER READING: 3

LEADING MAN MICHAEL

Starting to get his foot in the door as a recognized legacy to his old man, Michael perfected the "looking over his shoulder with concern". It was here that being associated with damsels in distress like Genvieve Bujold would give need for such a look.

Also, noticing the corners of his mouth, you can notice the subtle turning-down creases - not necessarily the beginnings of jowls but of a Kirk-like scowl that can help with the acting requirements needed for scenes where he is supposed to show agitation at being chased down by shadowy figures who want to kill him for what he knows. Any actor from Michael's lineage would have to get used to that kind of thing.

The very slight furrow to his brow is now beginning with faint wrinkling and creasing between the eyebrows. A good start.

FACE METER READING: 4.8

ROMANTIC LEAD MICHAEL (BEARD VERSION)

Leading Man Michael would soon give way to Romantic Lead Michael with a beard crossover that served for dramatic usage in films with Jane Fonda and nuclear disasters.

The beard served to soften his features as they got a workout in dramatic works; the eyes are beginning to bag and wrinkle, which is needed for scenes where Michael must glare at opponents in foot races. The tousled hair gives way to a higher forehead and more combed-back look suggesting not only an easy-going demeanor but also displays the concerned creases in the forehead as he listens to Jill Clayburgh bemoan her fate as a lovelorn Eighties woman.

The partially open mouth with askew tilt at one corner serves two purposes: it shows he is sensitive to the various plights of females and is also ready for open-mouthed kisses at a moment's notice. Both useful in romantic roles, not so much for acting ability - but a shave and new hairstyle would change this.

FACE METER READING: 3.6

ACTION HERO/ROMANTIC LEAD MICHAEL

Here is an underused variation that came about in the early 1980s where Michael would serve not only as romantic catalyst but also as a man of action. He would be beardless, perhaps with some stubble (a la Indiana Jones), but still had a drawn face and appropriate creases and wrinkles that would aid in scenes with gun play, fisticuffs and occasional trapping by cackling villains.

If there was one drawback to this hybrid, it was that at this stage in his career, many historians would notice his resemblance to an as-yet undiscovered Bill Pullman. Not necessarily a drawback, but when one is compared to an actor more connected to movies like Spaceballs and Ruthless People instead of the typical Douglas family ouvre, some reinvention may be in order. This is not a combination that Michael used very often.

FACE METER READING: 3.2

SINISTER MICHAEL (WITH KIRK CROSSOVER)

THIS is the version of Michael most modern day observers are familiar with; the hairline is boldly defined with a slicked-down brush-back, bringing out out to the best advantage the plentiful forehead wrinkles and low brow. The creases at each corner of the mouth also define the beginning of an oft-used sneer.

A word about the chin: notice how it is jutted out in this picture. The slight indentation at the tip is better defined now and more in keeping with Sinister Michael's delineation as a character alienated from the others surrounding him, whether orchestrating dark monetary dealings or underhanded machinations to destroy lives. This would serve Michael the best of all his looks and carry him through the remainder of his career.

FACE METER READING: 5

COMIC-ROMANTIC LEAD MICHAEL (SANS BEARD)

Another underused variation on the Romantic Lead Michael, and with good reason, since there is very little to define him from the other looks here, especially when you consider the flickering hints of Sinister Michael at the mouth, yet the glasses hide the burgeoning eye wrinkles and his comb-over blocks any chance to emote at the forehead. Not a good choice, but only a slight bump in the road to Michael's final look.

FACE METER READING: 2.1

ACTION HERO MICHAEL (OLDER VERSION)

More forehead creasing, a throwback hairstyle to the Leading Man Michael look and slight facial bagging around the edges help this Action Hero Michael variation achieve the character and depth the earlier version lacked, albeit with less subtlety than Sinister Michael. Adequately-defined wrinkles at the eyes give each leer, glare and cold stare into the distance the depth and emotional weight needed. The veins bulging at the temples help as well.

FACE METER READING: 4.9

DRAMATIC MICHAEL

Using the utmost of details from Sinister Michael's facial features and a touch of Action Hero Michael's shadowing on the lower portion of the face, Dramatic Michael also makes usage of the squinted eyes that Comic-Romantic Lead Michael never attained, thanks to a close-cropped hairstyle and more definition overall.

If there is a complaint, it is that Dramatic Michael's feature seem to rely too much on Sinister Michael's effortless emotional weight by over-compensation in the squinted eye department.

FACE METER READING: 4.8

OLD MICHAEL

Realizing that in his later years he had the most pronounced defining his face would ever need without extra makeup or the tricks utilized by Dramatic Michael, all Old Michael needs is to simply appear on-set with Leading Man Michael hair, a fuller version of Romantic Lead Michael (Beard Version)'s beard, with a touch of Action Hero Michael (Older Version) facial detailing and read his lines.

FACE METER READING: 4.9

MODERN-DAY MICHAEL

The circle is now complete; all the looks previously discussed now combine in one final look (save for Comic-Romantic Lead Michael).

No changes in his look from this stage are necessary; this is a look that can easily accommodate any and all future roles for Michael. Besides which, since it's been proven he can pull off nearly every look with aplomb, why not keep the one where the best of all worlds are displayed?

FACE METER READING: 5.1

Usage of this chart can be handy when gauging Michael Douglas' career, seeing where each look falls in terms to accompanying acting triumph. I'm not saying it will delineate any rises or dips in his abilities, but you have to admit that it's saying something when you realize everyone appreciated him more after his Romantic Lead Michael (Beard Version) stage.

Just saying.

Dope out.

- TGWD