Michael Douglas feels guilty about dead brother

OHMYGOSSIP — Michael Douglas is feeling bad! The actor, 68, is consumed with guilt over his gay half brother Eric, who was brutalized for years by their father Kirk and shunned by Michael because neither star could deal with his sexuality, according to the National Enquirer.

“Michael blames himself for not being there for Eric,” said a source. “But he didn’t have the time. He was too busy with his career and marriage – and he’s regretted it ever since.

“Michael is haunted by his brother’s death, always asking himself, ‘How could I have saved him?’ That’s why he took the part of Liberace. He did it for Eric. It’s his way of making amends.

“Despite what Catherine may know about the Liberace movie project, Michael has kept hidden from her the true depths of despair he’s bottled up about his agony over Eric.

“She has no idea how tor­tured Michael still is over what Eric endured. Michael has never been willing to share this gay secret with Catherine. As a Douglas, he’s always kept the stiff upper lip and the family has never been good about admitting emotional weaknesses. She’ll be shocked when she finds out the extent of his grief.

“We all knew that Eric was gay from an early age be­cause his behavior was very effeminate. Other kids picked on him, but he also baited people – particularly his dad Kirk, who he knew was ashamed of him.

“Kirk tried to ‘beat the gayness’ out of him. I’d hear Eric’s screams through the window, and I once walked in­side and saw Kirk hitting Eric at the top of the stairs. We all knew what was going on, and I know Michael felt real bad about it. Along with other members of his family, he felt they didn’t do enough to help Eric.”