Catherine Zeta-Jones’ Reaction to Husband Michael Douglas’ Bombshell Memoir May Surprise You

Plus, she and Douglas—who share kids Dylan, 26, and Carys, 23—have built a solid foundation over their almost three decades together. And, according to the 57-year-old, their winning partnership boils down to a few basic instincts.

“Being kind to each other,” she explained. “And we have a very similar, sick, dry sense of humor. Which, in any circumstance that you find yourself in, within 28 years—we were two years together before we go married—you’ve got to find humor in it. It may not be funny at the time, but you got to look back at it and go, ‘You gotta laugh at that now, remember when that happened?’”

In addition to patience, Zeta-Jones also sites giving the other “free reign” to pursue projects that appeal to them—including Kill Jackie, which sees the actress play a former drug queenpin on the run from assassins.