Michael Douglas' secrets behind his and Catherine Zeta-Jones' long-lasting marriage include humor, communication and open mindedness.

 A good sense of humor doesn't hurt, number one. And talking things out. Never using the words  never' or  always' when you get angry with each other,  the actor told People Tuesday when asked about his and Zeta-Jones' longevity.

 And putting yourself in the other person's position before you make your value judgment. But you gotta have fun. When I first met her, I said,  Do you like golf?' She said,  I love golf.' Well, I melted,  he gushed.

6 Michael Douglas credits humor, communication and open mindedness for his long-lasting marriage with Catherine Zeta-Jones (pictured in 2019). Getty Images for Turner

6  A good sense of humor doesn't hurt, number one,  the actor (pictured with his wife in 2013) shared Tuesday. Stefanie Keenan

The couple separated in 2013 but reunited by the following year. When asked what he learned from that time apart, the  Wall Street  actor credited communication as the key factor that brought them back together.

 Communication, talking. It's an English trait - I know my mother had it - where you don't talk about things that are uncomfortable,  Douglas admitted.

 I think sometimes because you don't know the answers, you don't want to ask the questions. I think we have to be able to talk out some things. It's made it easier for us to understand each other,  he explained.

While promoting his new memoir,  One Helluva Ride,  Douglas revealed that he  never gave up hope  that he'd  reconcile  with the actress during their brief separation.

6  And talking things out. Never using the words  never' or  always' when you get angry with each other,  the  Wall Street  star (seen with Zeta-Jones in 2000) said. Getty Images

6 The couple, notably, separated for one year in 2013, but Douglas maintains that they never lost the love for one another. catherinezetajones/Instagram

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