Washington, May 27 : Veteran actor Kirk Douglas had stopped son Michael to pursue a career in acting because he didn''t want him to experience the "rejection" of Hollywood.

The 92-year-old actor said that he was shocked when Michael decided to try out drama as a youngster, because he always wanted to be a lawyer.

When Michael took on his first play, Kirk decided to criticise his performance to divert his attention to law.

"He attended college in Santa Barbara with the intention of being a lawyer. I was very happy. I didn''t want him to deal with the rejection in my field. In his sophomore year he suddenly said to me, ''Dad, I''m going to be in a play,''" Contactmusic quoted Kirk as writing on his official website.

"I was startled. He never showed any interest in being an actor and I was glad. But I went to see the play at the college. It was a Shakespeare play and he had a very small part. After the play he said, ''Dad, how was I?'' I answered, ''Michael, you were terrible.''

"And I thought that would squash any desire he had to become an actor. Which just shows you how wrong I can be," he added. (ANI)