Last Updated on 2 months by Vijay Kumar
Kirk Douglas (born Issur Danielovitch; December 9, 1916 – February 5, 2020) was an iconic American actor, producer, director, and author. He became a major box-office star in the 1950s and is best remembered for his intense performances and charismatic screen presence. Known for films such as Spartacus (1960), Paths of Glory (1957), and Lust for Life (1956), Douglas was one of the last surviving stars of Hollywood’s Golden Age. Over his career, he appeared in more than 90 films and was honored with an Academy Award for Lifetime Achievement in 1996.
Early Life
Kirk Douglas was born Issur Danielovitch on December 9, 1916, in Amsterdam, New York, to Jewish immigrant parents from the Russian Empire. His father, Herschel Danielovitch, was a ragman, and his mother, Bryna Sanglel, cared for their six children. Growing up in poverty, Douglas worked various odd jobs to support his family. Despite financial struggles, he excelled in academics and sports. He attended St. Lawrence University on a wrestling scholarship and later enrolled in the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City, where he began honing his acting skills.
Career
Douglas made his film debut in The Strange Love of Martha Ivers (1946) and quickly gained attention for his intensity and versatility. He rose to stardom with roles in Champion (1949), for which he received his first Academy Award nomination, and Ace in the Hole (1951).
In the 1950s and 1960s, he became one of Hollywood’s most bankable stars, starring in critically acclaimed films like 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954), Paths of Glory (1957), The Vikings (1958), and Spartacus (1960), which he also produced. Douglas was instrumental in breaking the Hollywood blacklist by crediting screenwriter Dalton Trumbo for Spartacus.
Throughout the following decades, Douglas continued acting in films and television, authoring several books, and occasionally directing. His career spanned over six decades, earning him widespread respect in the film industry.
Kirk Douglas’s most famous films include Champion (1949), 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954), Lust for Life (1956), Paths of Glory (1957), The Vikings (1958), and Spartacus (1960), the miniseries Amos (1985), which earned him an Emmy nomination, and the TV movies Inherit the Wind (1988), The Secret (1992), and Diamonds (1999).
Personal Life
Douglas married actress Diana Dill in 1943, and they had two sons, Michael and Joel Douglas, before divorcing in 1951. In 1954, he married producer Anne Buydens, with whom he had two more sons, Peter and Eric Douglas.
In 1996, Douglas suffered a severe stroke that impaired his speech, but he continued making public appearances and writing memoirs. He was known for his philanthropy, donating millions to education, healthcare, and cultural institutions.
Death
Kirk Douglas passed away on February 5, 2020, at the age of 103 in Beverly Hills, California. He was one of the last surviving legends of classic Hollywood. His family, including his son Michael Douglas, paid tribute to his remarkable life, celebrating his enduring impact on cinema and his dedication to humanitarian causes.
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