Hear Michael Douglas' response when asked if Biden is too old for a second term

Summary

In a deep and engaging interview, Oscar-winning actor Michael Douglas discusses his illustrious career and current role as Benjamin Franklin in the Apple TV Plus series 'Franklin'. He reflects on how Franklin, with little diplomatic experience, significantly contributed to America's independence by securing French support. Douglas also explores the traits common to the powerful figures he has portrayed, including Gordon Gekko and President Andrew Shepherd, emphasizing a more subtle approach to embodying such characters. Additionally, Douglas shares personal insights into his life, discussing his adoption of Stoicism influenced by Franklin, and his views on political participation and aging, paralleling President Biden's scenario.

Takeaways

• 🎭 Michael Douglas is an Oscar-winning actor and producer known for his roles as an idealistic American president, a Wall Street investor, and Liberace.
• 🏆 He won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Gordon Gekko in the 1987 film 'Wall Street', where he famously stated, 'Greed, for lack of a better word, is good.'
• 🎬 With a career spanning nearly 60 years, Douglas is now playing Benjamin Franklin in the Apple TV Plus series 'Franklin', highlighting a significant moment in American diplomacy.
• 👴 At the age of 70, Franklin was sent to France to secure support for the newly independent United States, a mission that was crucial for America's survival as a nation.
• 🌟 Despite having no formal diplomatic background, Franklin's fame, particularly due to his experiments with electricity, and his charm helped him win over the French monarchy.
• 🧐 Douglas emphasizes the importance of curiosity and the ability to connect ideas to form a comprehensive vision, comparing Franklin's approach to that of Elon Musk.
• 📚 The actor has adopted stoicism, inspired by Franklin's love for Marcus Aurelius, which he finds helpful in personal development and contributing to the world.
• 🤔 Douglas was once encouraged to run for governor of California but declined, suggesting that he was not interested in being a 'kamikaze pilot' in politics.
• 👴 On aging, Douglas shares his thoughts on President Biden's capability, stating that despite common concerns about age, Biden remains sharp and effective.
• 📉 Douglas discusses the importance of local elections and the need for presidential candidates to be actively involved in grassroots politics, advocating for a bottom-up approach to change.
• 🌐 He stresses the significance of the upcoming election, considering it the most critical of his lifetime, and emphasizes the need for a leader with global experience and the ability to manage international relations.

Q & A

What character did Michael Douglas win an Academy Award for Best Actor?

Michael Douglas won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role as Gordon Gekko in the 1987 film 'Wall Street'.

Can you describe the new role Michael Douglas is portraying on Apple TV Plus?

Michael Douglas is currently starring as Benjamin Franklin in the Apple TV Plus series titled 'Franklin'. In this role, he portrays Franklin during a pivotal time in history, focusing on his diplomatic efforts in France to support the American Revolution.

What key moment of diplomacy does Michael Douglas discuss about Benjamin Franklin?

Michael Douglas discusses Benjamin Franklin's mission to France to seek support for the American Revolution, highlighting his strategic efforts and challenges, including dealing with spies and securing French alliance, which was crucial for America's independence from British rule.

According to Michael Douglas, what common trait does he bring to his portrayals of powerful characters like Gordon Gekko and Benjamin Franklin?

Michael Douglas believes that when portraying powerful characters, the actor can afford to play against the expected traits of power due to the character’s established reputation. He suggests a more passive approach, letting the audience's knowledge of the character add to the portrayal rather than overtly displaying power.

How does Michael Douglas relate Benjamin Franklin to Elon Musk?

Michael Douglas compares Benjamin Franklin to Elon Musk based on their similar traits of immense curiosity and the ability to link ideas to create comprehensive innovations. He notes both figures' capabilities to transform complex concepts into executable realities.

What philosophical approach has Michael Douglas adopted from his role as Benjamin Franklin?

From his role as Benjamin Franklin, Michael Douglas has embraced Stoicism, which he describes as a philosophy that emphasizes internal personal growth and resilience, similar to the blend of Protestant and Jewish ethical values.

What impact did the film 'The China Syndrome' have on Michael Douglas' real-life activities?

The film 'The China Syndrome' significantly influenced Michael Douglas' real-life involvement in nuclear nonproliferation efforts, demonstrating how his roles can inspire his off-screen interests and activities.

What did Michael Douglas reveal about potential political ambitions?

Michael Douglas shared that he has been approached to run for political office, such as governor of California, but has declined. He jokingly compared the recruitment for the role to looking for a 'kamikaze pilot'.

What are Michael Douglas’ thoughts on President Biden’s capability as he ages?

Michael Douglas believes that despite concerns about aging, President Biden remains 'sharp as a tack'. He compares himself to Biden, highlighting their shared experiences and challenges with aging, and shows support for Biden’s potential continuing leadership.

Why does Michael Douglas emphasize the importance of local elections?

Michael Douglas stresses the importance of local elections as foundational to political change. He argues that effective governance and societal improvement often start from the grassroots level, advocating for active participation in local politics to enact change.

Outlines

00:00

🎭 Michael Douglas: Versatile Actor and Portrayer of Icons

The first paragraph introduces Michael Douglas, an Oscar-winning actor and producer, known for his diverse roles, including an idealistic American president, a Wall Street investor, and Liberace. Douglas is celebrated for his Academy Award-winning performance as Gordon Gekko in 'Wall Street.' With a career spanning nearly 60 years, he is now taking on the role of America's first diplomat, Benjamin Franklin, in the Apple TV Plus series 'Franklin.' The discussion touches on Franklin's lesser-known diplomatic efforts in France during the American Revolution and Douglas's approach to portraying powerful and historical figures, emphasizing the importance of humility and letting the audience's preconceptions inform their perception of the character.

05:01

📚 Stoicism and Service: Douglas's Take on Life and Leadership

The second paragraph delves into how Michael Douglas has applied lessons from his roles to his real life, particularly his activism on nuclear nonproliferation, which was inspired by his film 'The China Syndrome.' He discusses adopting stoicism through the influence of Ben Franklin and his love for Marcus Aurelius. Douglas also shares his thoughts on aging, his physical fitness, and the possibility of political office. He speaks positively about President Biden's mental sharpness and the support he has within his cabinet. The paragraph concludes with Douglas's perspective on the importance of experience in leadership, the significance of the upcoming election, and the need for engagement in local politics.

Keywords

💡Michael Douglas

Michael Douglas is an Oscar-winning actor and producer known for his versatile roles in film and theater. In the transcript, he is highlighted for his portrayal of iconic characters such as the idealistic American president, a Wall Street investor, and Benjamin Franklin. His career is discussed in the context of his current role as Benjamin Franklin in the Apple TV Plus series 'Franklin,' which is related to the theme of diplomacy and historical significance.

💡Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. The transcript discusses his lesser-known role as America's first diplomat, where he sought support from France during the American Revolution. His character is portrayed by Michael Douglas in the series 'Franklin,' and his qualities such as curiosity, innovation, and diplomacy are highlighted as central to the video's narrative.

💡Diplomacy

Diplomacy refers to the practice of conducting negotiations and maintaining relations between countries. In the context of the video, it is a key theme as it discusses Benjamin Franklin's diplomatic mission to France to secure support for the newly independent United States. His success in this endeavor is pivotal to the founding of the nation and is a central focus of the discussion.

💡Gordon Gekko

Gordon Gekko is a fictional character played by Michael Douglas in the 1987 film 'Wall Street.' Known for his infamous line 'Greed, for lack of a better word, is good,' Gekko represents the archetype of a ruthless Wall Street tycoon. The transcript references this role to illustrate the range of Michael Douglas's acting career and his ability to portray powerful and complex characters.

💡Stoicism

Stoicism is a school of philosophy that teaches the development of self-control and fortitude as a means of overcoming destructive emotions. In the transcript, Michael Douglas discusses how his portrayal of Benjamin Franklin led him to adopt Stoic principles, particularly drawing from Franklin's love of Marcus Aurelius. This concept is tied to the video's theme of personal development and the application of historical wisdom to modern life.

💡Nuclear Nonproliferation

Nuclear nonproliferation refers to efforts to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and technology. The transcript mentions Michael Douglas's activism in this area, which was inspired by his role in the film 'The China Syndrome.' This keyword is used to illustrate the impact of art and performance on real-world issues and the personal commitment of the actor to global concerns.

💡Curiosity

Curiosity is described as a strong desire to know or learn something. The transcript highlights Benjamin Franklin's immense curiosity and his ability to link ideas together to form a complete picture. This trait is compared to modern figures like Elon Musk, suggesting a connection between curiosity and innovation, which is central to the discussion of Franklin's contributions.

💡Protestant Ethic

The Protestant Ethic is a concept in sociology that describes the work ethic, values, and characteristics of Protestants, particularly Calvinists. In the transcript, Michael Douglas relates his personal philosophy to a blend of the Protestant ethic and his Judeo roots, emphasizing the importance of striving for personal betterment and contributing positively to society.

💡Local Elections

Local elections refer to the electoral process at the municipal, county, or other subnational levels. The transcript stresses the importance of local elections in affecting change from the bottom up, suggesting that involvement in these elections is crucial for those who aspire to higher office or wish to influence policy at a national level.

💡President Biden

President Biden, or Joe Biden, is the 46th President of the United States. The transcript discusses his age, mental sharpness, and the support he has from his cabinet, contrasting this with the situation of a previous candidate whose team did not wish to work with him again. This keyword is used to compare leadership qualities and the importance of experience in political leadership.

💡Global Situation

A global situation refers to the state of worldwide affairs, including political, economic, and social contexts. The transcript emphasizes the need for a leader with experience in handling global situations, particularly in the face of contemporary challenges that require international cooperation and diplomacy.

Highlights

Michael Douglas has brilliantly played diverse roles like an idealistic American president, a wicked Wall Street investor, and Liberace on screen.

Douglas won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his role as Gordon Gekko in the 1987 film Wall Street.

His rich career in film and theater spans nearly 60 years.

Douglas is currently starring as Benjamin Franklin in the Apple TV Plus series 'Franklin'.

Franklin was sent to France at age 70 to secure support for America during the Revolutionary War.

Without France's support, America might have remained a British colony.

Franklin had no background in diplomacy but was chosen for his fame and charisma in France.

Douglas finds playing powerful figures like Ben Franklin allows him to play against their public image and be more humble.

Douglas sees a parallel between Ben Franklin's curiosity and ability to form a complete picture and Elon Musk.

Douglas has adopted stoicism from playing Ben Franklin, and it has become a major part of his life philosophy.

Douglas believes being a stoic involves being the best you can be every day and nurturing what is inside yourself.

He was once asked to run for governor of California but declined, joking he didn't want to be a 'kamikaze pilot'.

Douglas believes President Biden is sharp and his entire cabinet would be happy to serve with him again.

He thinks Biden's experience is crucial for the current critical time, and the world can't afford isolation.

Douglas emphasizes the importance of local elections and believes change needs to start from the bottom up.

After 60 years of acting, Douglas is enjoying his time off and doesn't plan to retire.

Transcripts

What do an idealistic American president,

a wicked Wall Street

investor and Liberace have in common?

Well,

these roles have all been

brilliantly played on screen

by my next guest,

the Oscar award

winning actor and producer

Michael Douglas.

Michael won an Academy Award

for best actor for his role

as Gordon

Gekko in the 1987 film Wall Street.

Greed, for lack of a better word,

is good.

His rich career in film

and theater spans nearly 60 years.

He's now

adding America's first diplomat

to his list of roles.

So what on earth are you meant to.

Be

an American?

Michael is currently starring as Benjamin

Franklin in the Apple

TV Plus series Franklin.

Welcome, sir.

Fareed, it is an honor to be here.

I'm a big, big fan of your show, So

thank you for having me.

Thank you.

Now, it feels very appropriate

because what you are portraying

is not just Franklin,

but Franklin at a moment of it

is one of the great moments

of diplomacy in history.

You know, tell us about that.

Well, it is.

And it's one

that people don't seem to know

that much about. Fact.

I didn't

I think we all have from my sixth grade

education.

We know the fact that had hardly

any schooling at all,

about two years of schooling left to 12.

We know him

as a publisher,

a great, great writer,

University of Pennsylvania

libraries, post offices.

They did all this inventions.

But when he was 70,

right after they declared independence,

they signed it.

And July 4th of 1776,

six weeks after that,

the founding fathers

get together is a bell.

We need you to go to

France

because General Washington is suffering.

We've been fighting the British

now for more than a year.

We're in bad shape.

Ragtag armies have no ships.

They want you to go to France

and Rue

Louis, the 60,

the largest,

you know,

monarchy in the world

to support this little tiny democracy

that America has just been formed.

And so he went over there

and ended up

spending eight years

trying to woo and cajole

and with all of the

complications that existed

with spies and backstabbers and all that,

to get France to support America.

And the truth be told,

if it was not for France's support,

we would not have had in America,

we would have been a British colony

for how much longer?

And he had no background in diplomacy?

None.

I mean, he was

I think they probably picked him

because he was a bit of a rock star.

He was very famous

in France in particular

because of his experiments

with electricity.

And he was probably a bit of a seducer.

You know,

he was a quite a flatterer in his day.

I would well have been his wife

and imbibed and had this vast knowledge,

but was just incredibly effective

going over there.

When you portray powerful people.

You've portrayed Gordon Gekko,

you know, Great Wall Street tycoon.

You portray these other characters,

the American president

and the American president.

Do you think that

there is some common trait that

that power you know,

is there something you say to yourself,

I've got to puff up my

you know, is there something you do?

It's actually it's the

opposite, Fareed,

because of powerful people,

the audience or the other people

already know all about you.

So with like Ben Franklin,

he has this incredible resumé.

You know, Gordon Gekko

had this great resume.

President Andrew Shepherd

We were present president.

So you could actually play against that

because you're going to be the humble.

Oh, look at him for that geckos case.

But at Ben Franklin, everything

because the audience

knows so much about you.

You don't have to push.

So in a strange way, it's

become a little more passively

let them come to you.

Did you find that

there was something about Ben

Franklin, the actor?

Sometimes say, there's a trick.

There's something that made me understand

his personality.

Either a gesture or a voice or something.

What do you.

Was there

something that was at the core of Ben

Franklin? His curiosity?

He had an immense curiosity,

and he had the mindset

to try to be able

to complete a whole picture.

I mean, the way I think of it as well,

we all have ideas, but very few.

We can take our ideas

and link them together to a full

a full consensus.

And in this area,

he reminds me a bit of Elon Musk.

You know,

he had that same kind of wild imagination

about taking Things were impossible.

A good self-deprecating

sense of humor and all that.

Some differences of of,

of course you are.

You also have great curiosity.

And you have often, I've noticed,

taken something from your roles

and applied it to your real life.

So very famously,

you're a very you're very active

on nuclear nonproliferation

and all that

came out of the China Syndrome, correct?

I read somewhere that you have taken from

Ben Franklin,

his love of Marcus Aurelius.

I have I have

I have become a stoic.

I've started

doing a lot of reading about stoicism,

and I'm very impressed and do.

TEGMARK

Do you think, Benjamin Franklin

for giving me that?

What what does it mean

to you to be a story?

Well, it's

it's something somewhere

between the Protestant ethic

and my my own Judeo roots.

But it basically involves

being the best you can

be every single day,

not reaching

necessarily outside of yourself,

but nurturing

what is inside of yourself

and drawing the best from everybody

which you're out and giving the best

that you can can give.

In the Jewish faith,

they have an expression called cyclamen,

which means to repair the world,

to make it a better place.

And I and it's

we have to remember that stoicism

300 years

B.C., was was

that was it

That was the major, major faith

in Christianity.

Seemed to push it to the side.

But there's a lot of qualities that I've,

I find very helpful.

So Jewish, stoic.

Yes.

So let's talk about age.

You're about President Biden's age.

You're doing fantastically.

You look like a million bucks.

Why don't you fully run for president?

Oh,

I did the movie once, you know.

But I did.

Ever attempt to.

Well,

I knew

I had the ending, you know, So

the difference really had the ending?

No.

They asked me to run for governor

a couple of times in California

earlier time.

And I remember saying, well,

where do you want me?

Well,

we need a man

who can finance his own campaign.

So, yeah, you know,

who has a credibility, notoriety, who

who is well known around the around

everything.

And I remember saying,

You sure you're not

looking for a kamikaze pilot?

I said, I don't think so.

So you and Biden are about the same age.

What do you do you think?

Are you

one of those people who wished

he had bowed out

and left the field to somebody else?

How do you how do you think about that?

Well, I think I think that I

walk a little similar to him

and the people that I've

talked to and everybody that I have

say he is as sharp as a tack.

He's fine.

We all have an issue of memories.

And as we get older, we forget names,

something he's overcome, a stutter,

his life, and sometimes he might.

But

let's just say that his

is his entire cabinet,

including his vice president.

Everybody in his cabinet

would be more than happy

to work with him again in the next term.

I cannot say that

about the other candidate running

because nobody in his in his cabinet

for 2016 wants to be involved with him.

Do you

do you think when you you know,

everyone says, yeah, he's

okay now,

but you know,

what's it going to be like

the next four or five years?

But you're

you're going to work

for the next four or five years.

You're not retiring. Well, I'm not.

However, I will say

we did, frankly,

in 2022 and after 165 days

of shooting

for seven months, I haven't worked since.

So I look,

I took 23 off

and we're going into 24

and I must say, I'm

enjoying the time off.

And I think he'll be he'll be fine.

Thank you very much. We have a

this is

probably the

most important election of my lifetime.

I share with my kids to the Vietnam War.

This is the most

critical time in my lifetime,

and I can't remember where

we're at right now.

We need somebody in control in power

who has some experience

and knows

how to work on a global situation.

The world.

You can't ask for one side.

For us to be active globally,

but then internally say

we're just going to isolate.

It doesn't work that way anymore.

I think this

a year also for us

to really remind ourselves

about local elections.

And I think

if we're going to kind of

adjust,

we have to start from the bottom up,

not the top down.

And so I think all of us who

go for president

should be actively involved

in our local elections, too.

Well, this is an honor and a pleasure.

And what a career.

I mean, all in all of you.

You're very kind for me to keep going.

Keep on.

I can't wait to see you again on Sunday.

Thank you, sir. Thanks.

Thank you very much.