Friday, February 14, 2025

Remembering Kirk Douglas

Five of the essential movies from the screen legend who in the 21st century was one of the last living actors and witnesses to Hollywood Golden era, born on this day in 1916

Remembering Kirk Douglas



Kirk Douglas was in the 21st century one of the very few last living actors and witnesses to Hollywood Golden era. The actor who had a successful career that earned him several awards, starred in countless film classics that elevated him to the legend status. Kirk was born 107 years ago today.

The iconic American actor, producer, and author Kirk Douglas was born Issur Danielovitch on December 9, 1916, in Amsterdam, New York. He was the son of Russian-Jewish immigrants and grew up in poverty, which fueled his determination to succeed. Douglas attended St. Lawrence University on a wrestling scholarship and later studied acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City.
Douglas’s film career took off in the 1940s, and he became one of Hollywood’s leading stars, renowned for his intense performances and rugged charm. He gained fame with films like Champion (1949), which earned him his first Academy Award nomination, and The Bad and the Beautiful (1952). His most iconic role was as the rebellious slave-turned-gladiator in Spartacus (1960), a film he also produced. The movie was significant not only for its epic storytelling but also for Douglas’s decision to credit blacklisted writer Dalton Trumbo, which played a key role in ending Hollywood’s anti-communist blacklist.
Over his career, Douglas appeared in more than 90 films, including Paths of Glory (1957) and Lust for Life (1956), in which he portrayed artist Vincent van Gogh. He was known for his commitment to challenging roles and his advocacy for artistic freedom.
Douglas married Anne Buydens in 1954, and the couple remained together for over 65 years, raising two sons, including actor Michael Douglas. He also had two sons from a previous marriage. In his later years, Douglas survived a severe stroke in 1996, which temporarily impaired his ability to speak, but he continued to write and make public appearances, becoming an inspiration for his perseverance.
Kirk Douglas passed away on February 5, 2020, at the age of 103, at his home in Beverly Hills, California. Here’s five essential Kirk Douglas movies.



5 – 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, 1954



4 – Lust for Life, 1956

3 – Champion, 1949

2 – Lonely Are the Brave, 1962



1 – Spartacus, 1960



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