Kirk Douglas: Late Actor’s Career, Movies, Awards, & Roles

The late Hollywood legend, Kirk Douglas was a charming man. The three-time Oscar nominee was in a league of his own. From defying the blacklist of Hollywood to serving in the Navy, his life is an inspiration.  

Born Issur Danielovitch, Kirk Douglas kicked off his acting career after serving in the Navy during World War II. Some of the iconic movies that all of us have grown up watching and still go back to include Ulysses, The Vikings, and Lust for Life. 

He wasn’t just a decorated soldier, but an accomplished actor as well. He won the Golden Globes and the New York Film Critics Circle. He was also the recipient of the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award and National Medal of Arts.

Let’s  look at the 103-year long life of this legend. Which movies are you anticipating on our list?  

Kirk Douglas

The man died o February 5, 2020. So if someone asked me in 2020, “how old is Kirk Douglas?” The answer would be 103. Here is some basic information about this legendary actor:

Kirk Douglas: Early Life

Kirk was born in Amsterdam, Ney York in 1916. His parents’ names were Bryna Bertha and Herschel Harry Danielovitch. His parents were immigrants. They came from Chavusy, Mogilev Governorate. Currently, the place is in Belarus. He had a total of six sisters. And Kirk was the only son and fourth child. And he was born and brought up as Jewish.

His uncle was an immigrant too. And when he came to the United States, he adopted the surname of Demsky. Later Kirk’s family adopted the surname also. When he was growing up, his name was Izzy Demsky, and later, he changed his name to Kirk Douglas. He changed his name before entering the United States Navy. He served in the United States Military and participated in World War II. 

Kirk Douglas: Struggle And Education 

Kirk had an unhappy childhood. His father was an alcoholic and physically abusive. Consequently, Kirk, his mother, and his sisters had to suffer a lot and had little money.  

Kirk wanted to be an actor from his childhood days after he received applause for reciting the poem “The Red Robin of Spring.” His life was not smooth as he had to sell snacks to mill workers.  

Later, with the money, he bought bread and milk for his family. After that, he used to sell newspapers. During his youth days, he did more than forty jobs. He graduated in 1934 from Amsterdam High School. During that time, he stated, 

“I was dying to get out. In a sense, it lit a fire under me.“

He had no money to pay for acting tuition. So, he talked with the dean and got a loan. Then, he completed his graduation in 1939. Later, he worked as a janitor and gardener and paid the loan back.  

Finally, the American Academy of Dramatic Arts saw his acting talent and wanted to give him a scholarship. Moreover, one of his classmates had a role in his acting career.  

Kirk Douglas Career

He started his career by joining the United States Navy in 1941. However, he served as a communication officer for a short time and was discharged in 1944 for injuries. Thus, after returning from the war, he joined in commercials, theater, and radio.  

He started acting in soap operas. Finally, he made his debut in Wallis’s film The Strange Love of Martha Ivers (1946).  In 1947, he was in another movie named Out of the Past, where his co-stars were Jane Greer and Robert Mitchum.  

His first breakthrough was in 1949 when he acted as the protagonist in the movie Three Sisters. Later, he was in I Walk Alone.  In 1949, he started making films portraying a tough guy. In addition, there were around eight films like that. So, he  began with the movie Champion.  

Then he was in The Great Sinner. For the role in the movie Variety, Kirk Douglas got his first Academy Award nomination. The 1950s and 1960s were the years when he was into some great films. This was the time when he was at the peak of his career.   

Kirk Douglas Movies

Here are some movies by Kirk that you must watch.

• Ulysses
• Out of the Past
• Ace in the Hole
• Champion
• The Bad and the Beautiful
• Lust for Life
• 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
• Paths of Glory
• Lonely Are the Brave
• The Vikings
• Tough Guys
• Saturn 3
• The Simpsons
• Touched by an Angel
• Illusion
• Empire State Building Murders 

Final Words

Kirk married his first wife in 1943. With Diana, Douglas had two sons. You might be heard about producer Joel Douglas and actor Michael Douglas. Later they divorced, and then he married his second wife, Anne Buydens. They shared their marriage for almost 66 years. 

Many of us don’t remember this excellent actor who died in 2020. He died at the age of 103, and the next year, his wife Anne died at the of 102. However, one of the most romantic things is that they were buried alongside each other. Thus, Anne Douglas Kirk Douglas and their son are resting together.   

So, which one is your favorite movie? Let us know in the comment section below. 

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