Michael Douglas Believes Glenn Close Deserved 1988 Oscar, Not Cher
Despite Cher winning Best Actress for Moonstruck, Michael Douglas holds a different view on who should have taken home the prize.
Michael Douglas recently expressed his belief that Glenn Close deserved the 1988 Academy Award for Best Actress, a title that ultimately went to Cher for her role in *Moonstruck*. This sentiment, reported by multiple outlets, highlights the enduring admiration Douglas has for Close's performances, particularly her role in *Fatal Attraction*, which he considers one of the greatest of all time. 3
Cher's victory in 1988 was for her portrayal of Loretta Castorini, a Brooklyn resident whose life takes an unexpected turn after an affair with Johnny's younger brother Ronny and a marriage proposal from Johnny Cammareri. 3 Despite her triumph, Douglas's praise for Close underscores the competitive nature of the acting world and the recognition of talent that sometimes goes unacknowledged by major awards. 23
Glenn Close, despite receiving eight competitive Oscar nominations, has yet to win a competitive Oscar, although she will be honored with an honorary Oscar at the upcoming Governors Awards in November. 3 This recognition comes as a testament to her long-standing contributions to the film industry and her consistent excellence in her roles. 3
The 1988 Best Actress category was notably competitive, with other nominees including Holly Hunter, Sally Kirkland, and Meryl Streep. 3 Each actress brought their unique talents to the screen, making the choice of winner a challenging decision for the Academy voters. 3
While the headline suggests a personal feud or public disagreement, the verified facts indicate a professional and respectful acknowledgment of Close’s talent. Douglas’s comments reflect admiration for Close’s work rather than a direct criticism of Cher’s Oscar win. 23
Trust Score report
Likely accurate — probability of truth 74%, weighted across 9 claims from 3 independent outlets.
- likely Michael Douglas believes Glenn Close deserved to win the 1988 Oscar for Best Actress. (82%)
- likely Glenn Close received eight competitive Oscar nominations but never won. (82%)
- likely Cher won the Oscar for Best Actress for her role in 'Moonstruck'. (82%)
- likely Michael Douglas considers Glenn Close's performance in 'Fatal Attraction' as one of the greatest of all time. (67%)
- likely Glenn Close will receive an honorary Oscar at the Governors Awards in November. (67%)
- likely Cher's character in 'Moonstruck' is named Loretta Castorini and she lives in Brooklyn, New York. (67%)
- likely Cher's character in 'Moonstruck' had an affair with Johnny's younger brother Ronny. (67%)
- likely Cher's character in 'Moonstruck' accepted a marriage proposal from Johnny Cammareri. (67%)
- likely The other nominees for Best Actress in 1988 were Holly Hunter, Sally Kirkland, and Meryl Streep. (67%)
Sources
- Variety — ‘Cher Adores Michael Douglas,’ Icon’s Rep Says After Douglas Disses Her Oscar Win for ‘Moonstruck’
https://variety.com/2026/film/news/cher-michael-douglas-disses-oscar-win-moonstruck-1236938822/ - The A.V. Club — Michael Douglas thinks Cher's Oscar should have gone to Glenn Close
https://www.avclub.com/michael-douglas-glenn-close-oscar-cher-fatal-attraction - Page Six — Michael Douglas shades Cher’s Oscar win for ‘Moonstruck’
https://pagesix.com/2026/11/02/celebrity-news/michael-douglas-shades-chers-oscar-win-for-moonstruck/