Excerpts from Patrick Stoner's interview with Michael Douglas:

Patrick Stoner: I've known you now for several years and watched how you deal with people. I'm struck by how similar your social style is with the character of the President in this film... always courteous, constantly including everyone in the activity (whether they can be of value to you or not), and with a remarkable memory of past conversations. How did you develop this?

Michael Douglas: Well, you've got to remember that I grew up watching how my father [Kirk Douglas] handled himself, whether it was the media or the person getting his coffee. He always said that many people could get lucky and be a star, but with the ones who stuck around for a lifetime career were always the ones who treated others they way they wanted to be treated. I saw him live that philosophy. And I saw it come true. So, I suppose I come by it naturally.

Stoner: Not all of your colleagues could say the same. They're careful with us [in the media], because we can help or hurt them, but then you catch them treating the person behind them with contempt.

Douglas: And look what happens to them when problems develop in their careers. They've burned their bridges. You know the ones I mean. Big one day. Gone the next. And who cares? Who wants to see them make a comeback? No, my father had it right. I didn't always. But now with people knowing me, or feeling like they know me from my work I'm comfortable with others, and with myself.


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