ORIGIN
Kirk Douglas was an American actor, producer and author. His film credit includes The Bad and the Beautiful (1952), Spartacus (1960) and Lust for Life (1956). Douglas was born Issur Danielovitch on December 9, 1916, in Amsterdam, New York. His parents Bertha and Harry were Russian-Jewish immigrants. Douglas completed his Bachelor’s degree at St. Lawrence University in 1939. He later took acting classes at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City. Douglas served briefly in the United States Navy from 1941 to 1944. He was medically discharged due to injuries.

CAREER
Douglas made his film debut in The Strange Love of Martha Ivers (1946) starring Barbara Stanwyck. He followed up with small roles in Out of the Past, I Walk Alone, and My Dear Secretary. Douglas got his big break with the role of Michael “Midge” Kelly in the drama-sport film, Champion (1949). His performance earned him an Academy Award nomination for best actor. Douglas starred as “Chuck Tatum” in Billy Wilder’s film, Ace in the Hole (1951). He won a second Academy Award nomination for his lead role as “Jonathan Shields” in The Bad and the Beautiful (1952).

Douglas’s next major role was that of “Vincent van Gogh” in the 1956 biopic, Lust for Life. The film was based on Irving Stone’s 1934 novel of the same name. Douglas established the film production company, Bryna Productions, in 1955. The company produced a total of 25 films starting with ‘The Indian Fighter’ in 1955. Other notable productions include Paths of Glory (1957), Spartacus (1960), Lonely Are the Brave (1962) and Tough Guys (1986). As a director, Douglas was known for the films Scalawag (1973) and Posse (1975).

Douglas was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1981 by President Jimmy Carter. He was awarded the American Film Institute’s Life Achievement Award in 1991. Douglas received the Academy Honorary Award in 1996 for his 50+ years contribution to the film industry. He was presented with the National Medal of Arts in 2001.

In addition to acting, Douglas had written ten novels and memoirs. His first book ‘The Ragman’s Son’ was published in 1988. Selected works include Dance with the Devil (1990), The Gift (1992), Climbing the Mountain (2001) and My Stroke of Luck (2003).

PERSONAL
Kirk Douglas died on February 5, 2020, at the age of 103. His official cause of death was not disclosed. He likely died of natural causes. Douglas was 5ft 9in tall and he was of Russian-Jewish descent. His net worth was estimated at $60 million prior to his death. Douglas was married to first wife ‘Diana Dill’ from 1943 to 1951. They had two sons, Joel and Michael. Douglas married his second wife ‘Anne Buydens’ in May 1954. Anne is an actress and producer. The couple had two children, Eric and Peter. Eric died in 2004 from prescription drugs overdose.

Kirk Douglas Real Name, Birthday, Wiki

Is Kirk Douglas Dead or Alive?

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