With some help from tearful letters from the Douglas family pleading for leniency, Cameron Douglas, Michael Douglas‘ first-born child, was sentenced today to five years in federal prison for his involvement in a narcotics-trafficking operation.  Prior to personal pleas from Michael and his first wife and Cameron’s mother, Diandra Douglas, Cameron had been expected to receive up to ten years in prison.

Cameron Douglas has had a long track of battling addiction to heroin and other drugs throughout his adult life.

As far as film work, Cameron is perhaps best known for his work in the movie, It Runs in the Family, where he starred alongside his father, Michael, and grandfather, Kirk Douglas.