Catherine Zeta-Jones "lives vicariously" through her son.

Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones

Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones

The 48-year-old actress, her husband Michael Douglas and their 15-year-old daughter Carys recently said goodbye to 18-year-old Dylan when he left their home to study at Rhode Island's prestigious Brown University and she admitted the fact she envies him for going away to college because it wasn't something she got to experience herself.

She said: "I live vicariously through him. I never went to college; I was working and I kind of always wanted that life and that opportunity, that camaraderie and the love and joy of learning, and to see that happen for him -- it's really exciting. [Carys'] right behind. She's already been thinking about college."

Though the family were sad to say goodbye to Dylan, they were amused by aspiring actress Carys' reaction to the situation.

Carys told 'Extra' "Carys was videoing herself crying, like, enjoying the whole experience like it was some audition or something. It was very funny, but Carys said they are so incredibly close."

Michael, 73, was glad they got to experience Dylan's "rite of passage" as a family.

He said: "Carys came with us, too. It was wonderful. It's clearly a rite of passage, you know, it's that moment where you wave goodbye and you look at each other and he's not coming home with us."

Despite her theatrical reaction, Carys - who wants to be an actor or a doctor - admitted it was "really difficult" to see her brother move into a dorm because they have such a close relationship.

She said: "He's my best friend, so, I mean, like, we're very, very close. It was really difficult for me, but I'm so excited for him and I know he's going to have a great time in college so I couldn't be happier for him."

Catherine and her daughter recently posed for the cover of Town & Country magazine and 'Ant-Man and the Wasp' actor was very proud of the women in his life.

He gushed: "I married right and I never anticipated I'd see my daughter and wife on Town & Country. It was pretty cool and I'm very proud of Carys -- she's handling herself really well."