Michael Douglas has said he heard angels singing when he almost drowned as a young student.
The 73-year-old actor – who is married to Catherine Zeta-Jones – was swimming in the ocean when he was studying at the University of California when he got into serious trouble in the water and almost died.
The Hollywood legend says before he was pulled to safety he saw a ‘white light’ as he ‘faced death’ and he could hear heavenly voices around him.
Heaven’s chorus: Michael Douglas (above Wednesday) claimed he heard ‘angels singing’ and saw ‘a white light’ after he almost drowned when a college student
Speaking to USA Today, he recalled: ‘I did hear angels singing, saw a white light and then a relaxation came over me as I faced death.’
Douglas made the confession whilst discussing his latest movie Flatliners.
The reboot follows on from the cult 1990 horror movie of the same name, following a group of medical students who undertake clandestine experiments to produce near death experiences resulting in terrifying consequences for all.
At peace: After getting over his head while swimming in the ocean, Douglas (above in Mexico in 2016) says ‘a relaxation came over me as I faced death’
Although he has had his own near-death experience, Douglas doesn’t believe there is an after-life, as described by the world’s main religions and instead believes the phenomenon he witnessed is a natural part of the process of dying.
He said: ‘I think we have a mechanism in our brain that takes over and makes it easier to accept the inevitable during the process of dying.’
Douglas – who has beaten tongue cancer – produced the new remake, which stars Ellen Page, Nina Dobrev and Diego Luna, and sees Kiefer Sutherland reprise his role as Nelson Wright from the original film.
Back from beyond: Douglas made the confession whilst discussing his latest movie Flatliners, which is about a group of medical students who flirt with death, yielding terrifying and unexpected consequences
The cast: Diego Luna, Kiersey Clemons, Ellen Page, Dobrev and James Norton took a group pic
On Saturday, the Hollywood veteran gushed about his wife of 17-years on Extra.
The leading man, who shares a September 25 birthday with his love, explained he’d give her the moon if possible.
‘I’ll give her anything she wants. I’m crazy about her, but I’m a few years older than her so I’m happy letting it pass,’ said the Wall Street actor.
Twinning! The Hollywood vet gushed about his wife of 17-years (above in 1999,) saying ‘I’ll give her anything she wants. I’m crazy about her’ of his other half and September 25 birthday twin