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Kirk DouglasActor
Date of Birth: 09.12.1916
Country:  USA |
Content:
Biography of Kirk Douglas
Kirk Douglas, a renowned American actor, was one of the last living representatives of Hollywood's "Golden Age" until his recent passing. He celebrated his 100th birthday on December 9, 2016, with a grand celebration organized by his equally famous son, actor Michael Douglas, and daughter-in-law Catherine Zeta-Jones. Over 200 people attended the event, including family members and famous friends. Unfortunately, his life came to an end on February 5, 2020.
Early Life
Born on December 9, 1916, in Amsterdam, New York, United States, Kirk Douglas, originally named Issur "Izzy" Danielovitch (later changed to Demsky), grew up in a poor Jewish family. His parents, Herschel and Bryna Danielovitch, were immigrants from the Belarusian city of Chausy. Kirk was the only boy in the family and had six sisters. His parents changed their names to Harry and Bertha Demsky upon arriving in the United States in 1910.
Kirk developed a passion for acting at an early age. He experienced anti-Semitic attacks during his school years but pursued his dream of becoming an actor. After completing his high school education, he enrolled at St. Lawrence University to study acting. Despite his dedication to the craft, Kirk received a scholarship for his achievements in wrestling. After graduating from university, he went to New York to attend the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Despite his lack of funds, he impressed the admissions committee during his audition, and they awarded him a scholarship. To make ends meet, Kirk worked as a waiter in a café. His drama group's leader, Carl Malden, suggested that Kirk change his name to "Kirk Douglas" because "Issur Danielovitch" would not be successful in the industry. Kirk liked the proposed name and officially adopted it. One of his classmates at the academy was Diana Dill, who later became his wife.
Career
From 1941 to 1943, Kirk Douglas served as a communications officer in the United States Navy during World War II. In November 1943, he suffered a minor injury and was sent to a hospital, where he married Diana. In 1944, Kirk was discharged and returned home. On September 25, 1944, Kirk and Diana welcomed their first child, Michael Kirk Douglas, who also became a famous actor. In 1947, they had a second son named Joel. Kirk divorced Diana in 1951 and married producer Anne Buydens in 1954. Together, they had two more sons, Peter (1955) and Eric (1958-2004). Kirk and Anne are still married to this day.
Kirk Douglas made his screen debut in the film "The Strange Love of Martha Ivers" (1946) after several stage performances. His portrayal of the supporting character Walter O'Neil earned him recognition from prominent figures in the film industry. Producer Hal Wallis, who cast Kirk in "The Strange Love of Martha Ivers" based on a recommendation from Kirk's friend Lauren Bacall, was impressed by his acting abilities. Wallis offered Kirk a seven-year contract with his studio, which would involve participating in all projects approved by the producers. However, Kirk declined the offer, remaining true to himself. A few years later, after becoming a major star, he signed a lucrative contract with Warner Bros. on his own terms. In the late 1940s and early 1950s, Kirk began to take on leading roles. Some of his early notable works include "Champion" (1949), which earned him his first Oscar nomination, "Ace in the Hole" (1951), "The Bad and the Beautiful" (1952), his second Oscar nomination, "The Story of Three Loves" (1953), and "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" (1954). By the mid-1950s, Kirk had established himself as one of the most in-demand actors in Hollywood.
Throughout his career, Kirk Douglas appeared in over 200 films and television projects. He is best known for his iconic roles in films such as "Lust for Life" (1956), which earned him his third Oscar nomination for Best Actor, "Paths of Glory" (1957), "Spartacus" (1960), "Lonely Are the Brave" (1962), "Seven Days in May" (1964), "The Arrangement" (1969), "There Was a Crooked Man..." (1970), "The Final Countdown" (1980), "Tough Guys" (1986), and "Greedy" (1994).
Later Years
In 1996, Kirk Douglas suffered a stroke, which made it difficult for him to speak. As a result, he appeared less frequently in films. Realizing that his acting career was nearing its end, Kirk decided to focus on writing books, another skill at which he excelled. His works, including "The Ragman's Son" (1988), an autobiography, "Dance with the Devil" (1990), and "Last Tango in Brooklyn" (1994), gained recognition from literature experts.
At the age of 94, Kirk Douglas was recognized as the "oldest celebrity blogger in the world" for his active presence on the social networking site MySpace. On his 99th birthday, he donated $15 million for the construction of a medical center in Los Angeles to support elderly actors and industry professionals suffering from Alzheimer's disease.
Kirk Douglas, a true legend of the film industry, received few major awards despite his widespread recognition. He won a Golden Globe in 1957 for Best Actor in a Drama for "Lust for Life" and received an Honorary Academy Award in 1996 for his contributions to cinema. However, awards are not the sole measure of his acting talent. One can simply watch a film for which Kirk did not receive any nominations and understand why the American Academy of Dramatic Arts awarded him a scholarship many years ago.
On February 5, 2020, Kirk Douglas passed away from natural causes at his home in Beverly Hills, California. He was buried at the Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery.
