Cher has offered a warm response after Michael Douglas publicly questioned her 1988 best actress Oscar victory for “Moonstruck.”
A representative for Cher told Entertainment Weekly, “Cher adores Michael Douglas,” addressing comments that resurfaced one of that year’s biggest Academy Awards contests nearly four decades later.
Douglas revisited the race during a recent appearance on “The Graham Norton Show” alongside Glenn Close, his co-star in “Fatal Attraction.” He argued that Close “should have won [the Oscar] with ‘Fatal Attraction’” and recalled that she was already on what he believed to be her fourth nomination.
When Douglas pointed out that Cher had won instead, host Graham Norton responded, “Oh wow.” Douglas then added, “I know, that’s what we all said!”
Close quickly stepped in, turning toward Douglas and telling him, “Michael, be kind,” as the studio audience laughed.
The 1988 Oscar Race Revisited
Cher, Close and Douglas all attended the 60th Academy Awards in April 1988 as nominees. Cher ultimately received the best actress award for “Moonstruck,” while Close was nominated for “Fatal Attraction.” Douglas won best actor for his performance in Oliver Stone’s “Wall Street.”
Douglas was the only nominee representing “Wall Street.” “Moonstruck,” by comparison, competed in six categories, including best picture, and collected three Oscars. In addition to Cher’s victory, the romantic comedy won for adapted screenplay and supporting actress for Olympia Dukakis.
“Fatal Attraction” also entered the ceremony with six nominations, but did not win an award. Both “Fatal Attraction” and “Moonstruck” were contenders for best picture and best director. “The Last Emperor” won best picture, while Bernardo Bertolucci received the directing prize.
Close’s nomination history was part of Douglas’ argument. Before “Fatal Attraction,” she had received three supporting actress nominations for “The World According to Garp,” “The Big Chill” and “The Natural.” Her work in “Fatal Attraction” brought her first nomination in the best actress category and made her a four-time Oscar nominee at that point.
She later earned four additional nominations for “Dangerous Liaisons,” “Albert Nobbs,” “The Wife” and “Hillbilly Elegy.” Close has not won a competitive Oscar, although she is set to receive an honorary statue at the Governors Awards this month.
Cher had already been recognized by the Academy before her “Moonstruck” win. She received a best supporting actress nomination in 1984 for “Silkwood,” making “Moonstruck” her second nominated performance and first Oscar victory.
ShowBiz Take
Douglas’ remarks reopened a long-settled Oscar result, but Cher’s response avoids turning an awards disagreement into a personal clash. Her representative’s brief statement makes clear that Douglas’ criticism of the Academy’s choice has not changed Cher’s feelings toward him.
The exchange also highlights two separate pieces of Oscar history from the same ceremony. Cher left the 1988 event as a best actress winner, while Close’s performance began the leading-actress chapter of a nomination record that has continued across four more films. Douglas, meanwhile, was celebrating his own best actor victory that night.
Close’s playful warning on “The Graham Norton Show” kept the original conversation light, and Cher’s gracious reply has maintained that tone even as Douglas’ comments went viral. The disagreement over who should have won remains Douglas’ opinion; the official result remains Cher’s Oscar for “Moonstruck.”
What Happens Next?
The next confirmed awards milestone belongs to Close, who will receive an honorary Oscar at the Governors Awards this month. While she has yet to win competitively, the planned honor follows eight nominations spanning supporting and leading actress categories.