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IMDbPro

Kirk Douglas(1916-2020)

  • Actor
  • Producer
  • Director
IMDbProStarmeterTop 5,000128
Kirk Douglas
IMDb honors Kirk Douglas, the iconic 'Spartacus' actor, award-winning producer, World War II veteran and humanitarian, who passed away at 103 years old.
Play clip1:43
In Memoriam: Kirk Douglas (1916 to 2020)
57 Videos
99+ Photos
Cleft-chinned, steely-eyed and virile star of international cinema who rose from being "the ragman's son" (the name of his best-selling 1988 autobiography) to become a bona fide superstar, Kirk Douglas, also known as Issur Danielovitch Demsky, was born on December 9, 1916 in Amsterdam, New York. His parents, Bryna (Sanglel) and Herschel Danielovitch, were Jewish immigrants from Chavusy, Mahilyow Voblast (now in Belarus). Although growing up in a poor ghetto, Douglas was a fine student and a keen athlete and wrestled competitively during his time at St. Lawrence University. Professional wrestling helped pay for his studies as did working on the side as a waiter and a bellboy. However, he soon identified an acting scholarship as a way out of his meager existence, and was sufficiently talented to gain entry into the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. He made his Broadway debut in "Spring Again" before his career was interrupted by World War II. He joining the United States Navy in 1941, and then after the end of hostilities in 1945, returned to the theater and some radio work. On the insistence of ex-classmate Lauren Bacall, movie producer Hal B. Wallis screen-tested Douglas and cast him in the lead role in Paholaisnainen (1946). His performance received rave reviews and further work quickly followed, including an appearance in the low-key drama Lain ulkopuolella (1947), the first time he worked alongside fellow future screen legend Burt Lancaster. Such was the strong chemistry between the two that they appeared in seven films together, including the dynamic western Kuolemanloukku O.K. Corral (1957), the John Frankenheimer political thriller Toukokuun 7 päivää (1964) and their final pairing in the gangster comedy Kovat kaverit (1986). Douglas once said about his good friend: "I've finally gotten away from Burt Lancaster. My luck has changed for the better. I've got nice-looking girls in my films now.".

After appearing in "I Walk Alone", Douglas scored his first Oscar nomination playing the untrustworthy and opportunistic boxer Midge Kelly in the gripping Nyrkkeilysankari (1949). The quality of his work continued to garner the attention of critics and he was again nominated for Oscars for his role as a film producer in Särkyneitten haaveitten kaupunki (1952) and as tortured painter Vincent van Gogh in Hän rakasti elämää (1956), both directed by Vincente Minnelli. In 1955, Douglas launched his own production company, Bryna Productions, the company behind two pivotal film roles in his career. The first was as French army officer Col. Dax in director Stanley Kubrick's brilliant anti-war epic Kunnian polut (1957). Douglas reunited with Kubrick for yet another epic, the magnificent Spartacus (1960). The film also marked a key turning point in the life of screenwriter Dalton Trumbo, who had been blacklisted during the McCarthy "Red Scare" hysteria in the 1950s. At Douglas' insistence, Trumbo was given on-screen credit for his contributions, which began the dissolution of the infamous blacklisting policies begun almost a decade previously that had destroyed so many careers and lives.

Douglas remained busy throughout the 1960s, starring in many films. He played a rebellious modern-day cowboy in Ratsasta viimeinen taival (1962), acted alongside John Wayne in the World War II story Ensi voitto (1965), again with The Duke in a drama about the Israeli fight for independence, Jättiläisen varjo (1966), and once more with Wayne in the tongue-in-cheek western Kultaa El Pasoon (1967). Additionally in 1963, he starred in an onstage production of Ken Kesey's "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest", but despite his keen interest, no Hollywood studio could be convinced to bring the story to the screen. However, the rights remained with the Douglas clan, and Kirk's talented son Michael Douglas finally filmed the tale in 1975, starring Jack Nicholson. Into the 1970s, Douglas wasn't as busy as previous years; however, he starred in some unusual vehicles, including alongside a young Arnold Schwarzenegger in the loopy western comedy Kaktus-Jack (1979), then with Farrah Fawcett in the sci-fi thriller Saturnus 3 - salainen avaruusasema (1980) and then he traveled to Australia for the horse opera/drama Lumisen joen mies (1982).

Unknown to many, Kirk has long been involved in humanitarian causes and has been a Goodwill Ambassador for the US State Department since 1963. His efforts were rewarded with the Presidential Medal of Freedom (1981), and with the Jefferson Award (1983). Furthermore, the French honored him with the Chevalier of the Legion of Honor. More recognition followed for his work with the American Cinema Award (1987), the German Golden Kamera Award (1987), The National Board of Reviews Career Achievement Award (1989), an honorary Academy Award (1995), Recipient of the American Film Institute's Lifetime Achievement Award (1999) and the UCLA Medal of Honor (2002). Despite a helicopter crash and a stroke suffered in the 1990s, he remained active and continued to appear in front of the camera. Until his passing on February 5 2020 at the age of 103, he and Olivia de Havilland were the last surviving major stars from the Golden Years of Hollywood.
BornDecember 9, 1916
DiedFebruary 5, 2020(103)
BornDecember 9, 1916
DiedFebruary 5, 2020(103)
IMDbProStarmeterTop 5,000128
  • Nominated for 3 Oscars
    • 34 wins & 25 nominations total

Photos1162

Kirk Douglas and Pier Angeli in Kolme rakkautta (1953)
Kirk Douglas in Kolme rakkautta (1953)
Kirk Douglas and Pier Angeli in Kolme rakkautta (1953)
Kirk Douglas and Pier Angeli in Kolme rakkautta (1953)
Kirk Douglas and Alix Talton in Kolme rakkautta (1953)
Kirk Douglas in Kolme rakkautta (1953)
Kirk Douglas and Pier Angeli in Kolme rakkautta (1953)
Kirk Douglas in Rantarosvot (1971)
Kirk Douglas, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Ann-Margret in Kaktus-Jack (1979)
Kirk Douglas in Laugh-In (1967)
Kirk Douglas, Laurence Olivier, Charles Laughton, Peter Ustinov, and Sabine Bethmann in Spartacus (1960)
Kirk Douglas in Laugh-In (1967)

Known for:

Hurrikaani (1980)
Hurrikaani
6.6
  • Capt. Matthew Yelland
  • 1980
Kirk Douglas, Laurence Olivier, Tony Curtis, John Gavin, Charles Laughton, Jean Simmons, and Peter Ustinov in Spartacus (1960)
Spartacus
7.9
  • Spartacus
  • 1960
Kirk Douglas and Julie Robinson in Hän rakasti elämää (1956)
Hän rakasti elämää
7.3
  • Vincent Van Gogh
  • 1956
Kirk Douglas in Kunnian polut (1957)
Kunnian polut
8.4
  • Col. Dax
  • 1957

Credits

Edit
IMDbPro

Actor

  • Meurtres à l'Empire State Building (2008)
    Meurtres à l'Empire State Building
    6.4
    TV Movie
    • Jim Kovalski
    • 2008
  • Kirk Douglas and Michael A. Goorjian in Illusion (2004)
    Illusion
    7.2
    • Donald Baines
    • 2004
  • Kirk Douglas, Michael Douglas, Bernadette Peters, Rory Culkin, Cameron Douglas, and Diana Douglas in It Runs in the Family (2003)
    It Runs in the Family
    5.5
    • Mitchell Gromberg
    • 2003
  • Valerie Bertinelli, Roma Downey, John Dye, and Della Reese in Enkelin kosketus (1994)
    Enkelin kosketus
    6.0
    TV Series
    • Ross Berger
    • 2000
  • Diamonds (1999)
    Diamonds
    5.5
    • Harry Agensky
    • 1999
  • Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Dan Castellaneta, and Yeardley Smith in Simpsonit (1989)
    Simpsonit
    8.7
    TV Series
    • Chester J. Lampwick (voice)
    • 1996
  • Don Henley: The Garden of Allah (1995)
    Don Henley: The Garden of Allah
    7.8
    Music Video
    • The Devil
    • 1995
  • Poikien valheet (1994)
    Poikien valheet
    5.9
    TV Movie
    • Ed Reece
    • 1994
  • Shelley Fabares, Craig T. Nelson, Bill Fagerbakke, Kenneth Kimmins, and Jerry Van Dyke in Coach (1989)
    Coach
    7.0
    TV Series
    • Kirk Douglas (uncredited)
    • 1994
  • Kirk Douglas, Michael J. Fox, Kirsten Dunst, Bob Balaban, Nancy Travis, Olivia d'Abo, Eric Lloyd, Siobhan Fallon Hogan, Adam Hendershott, and Jonathan Lynn in Joe-sedän perilliset (1994)
    Joe-sedän perilliset
    6.3
    • Uncle Joe
    • 1994
  • The Secret (1992)
    The Secret
    6.0
    TV Movie
    • Grandpa Mike Dunmore
    • 1992
  • Tales from the Crypt (1989)
    Tales from the Crypt
    8.0
    TV Series
    • Gen. Kalthrob
    • 1991
  • Veraz (1991)
    Veraz
    4.7
    • Quentin
    • 1991
  • Sylvester Stallone in Oscar (1991)
    Oscar
    6.5
    • Eduardo Provolone
    • 1991
  • Inherit the Wind (1988)
    Inherit the Wind
    6.6
    TV Movie
    • Matthew Harrison Brady
    • 1988

Producer

  • Kirk Douglas and Burt Lancaster in Kovat kaverit (1986)
    Kovat kaverit
    6.2
    • associate producer (uncredited)
    • 1986
  • Elizabeth Montgomery, Pat Morita, Dorothy McGuire, and James Sloyan in Amos (1985)
    Amos
    6.9
    TV Movie
    • executive producer (uncredited)
    • 1985
  • Kaksintaistelu (1984)
    Kaksintaistelu
    6.2
    TV Movie
    • executive producer (uncredited)
    • 1984
  • Jonathan Pryce, Shawn Carson, and Vidal Peterson in Jotain outoa ilmassa (1983)
    Jotain outoa ilmassa
    6.7
    • executive producer (uncredited)
    • 1983
  • Hurrikaani (1980)
    Hurrikaani
    6.6
    • executive producer (uncredited)
    • 1980
  • Kova sakki (1975)
    Kova sakki
    6.5
    • producer
    • 1975
  • Vakooja koukussa (1971)
    Vakooja koukussa
    5.2
    • executive producer (uncredited)
    • 1971
  • Kaksintaistelu (1971)
    Kaksintaistelu
    6.3
    • executive producer (uncredited)
    • 1971
  • Rantarosvot (1971)
    Rantarosvot
    6.0
    • producer
    • 1971
  • Viimeinen kesä (1971)
    Viimeinen kesä
    5.7
    • producer
    • 1971
  • The Brotherhood (1968)
    The Brotherhood
    6.1
    • producer
    • 1968
  • Grand Prix (1966)
    Grand Prix
    7.2
    • executive producer (uncredited)
    • 1966
  • Tapaus Wilson (1966)
    Tapaus Wilson
    7.6
    • co-executive producer (uncredited)
    • 1966
  • Kirk Douglas, Frank Sinatra, John Wayne, Senta Berger, and Yul Brynner in Jättiläisen varjo (1966)
    Jättiläisen varjo
    6.3
    • co-executive producer (uncredited)
    • 1966
  • Toukokuun 7 päivää (1964)
    Toukokuun 7 päivää
    7.8
    • co-executive producer (uncredited)
    • 1964

Director

  • Kova sakki (1975)
    Kova sakki
    6.5
    • Director
    • 1975
  • Scalawag (1973)
    Scalawag
    5.1
    • Director
    • 1973

Videos57

In Memoriam: Kirk Douglas (1916 to 2020)
Clip 1:43
In Memoriam: Kirk Douglas (1916 to 2020)
20,000 Leagues Under The Sea
Clip 1:28
20,000 Leagues Under The Sea
20,000 Leagues Under The Sea
Clip 1:27
20,000 Leagues Under The Sea
20,000 Leagues Under The Sea
Clip 1:40
20,000 Leagues Under The Sea
20,000 Leagues Under The Sea
Clip 1:24
20,000 Leagues Under The Sea
Trailer
Trailer 2:26
Trailer
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Trailer 1:05
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Trailer 2:28
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Trailer 1:31
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Trailer 3:28
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Trailer 1:03
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Trailer 0:33
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Personal details

Edit
  • Official sites
    • Official Site
    • The Douglas Foundation
  • Alternative names
    • Issur Danielovitch
  • Height
    • 1.75 m
  • Born
    • December 9, 1916
    • Amsterdam, New York, USA
  • Died
    • February 5, 2020
    • Beverly Hills, California, USA(natural causes)
  • Spouses
      Anne DouglasMay 29, 1954 - February 5, 2020 (his death, 2 children)
  • Children
      Michael Douglas
  • Parents
      Herschel Danielovitch
  • Relatives
      Freida Demsky-Becker(Sibling)
  • Other works
    Stage: Appeared in "The Three Sisters" on Broadway. Drama (revival). Written by Anton Chekhov. Translated by Aleksandr Kerensky and Guthrie McClintic. Directed by Guthrie McClintic. Ethel Barrymore Theatre: 21 Dec 1942-3 Apr 1943 (123 performances). Cast: Judith Anderson (as "Olga, Andrei's sister"), Stanley Bell, Alice Belmore (as "Nurse"; credited as Alice Belmore Cliffe), Patricia Calvert, Arthur Chatterdon (as "Ferapont, Courier for the City Council"), Katharine Cornell (as "Masha, Andrei's sister"), Walter Craig, Kirk Douglas (as "An Orderly"; Broadway debut), Eric Dressler (as "Andrei Prozorov"), Ruth Gordon (as "Natalya Ivanovna, Andrei's fiancée/wife"), Edmund Gwenn (as "Chebutykin, Army doctor"), Dennis King, Alexander Knox (as "Baron Tuzenbach, Lieutenant"), Tom McDermott, McKay Morris, Gertrude Musgrove, Marie Paxton, Tom Powers. Produced by Katharine Cornell.
  • Publicity listings
    • 6 Biographical Movies
    • 8 Print Biographies
    • 3 Portrayals
    • 7 Interviews
    • 25 Articles
    • 7 Pictorials
    • 54 Magazine Cover Photos

Did you know

Edit
  • Trivia
    If he had not heeded wife Anne Douglas's advice, he would have been on producer Mike Todd's private plane in 1958 when it crashed and killed all on-board. Todd's wife Elizabeth Taylor was also scheduled to be on the plane but canceled due to a bad cold.
  • Quotes
    I've finally gotten away from Burt Lancaster. My luck has changed for the better. I've got nice-looking girls in my films now.
  • Trademarks
      Gravelly voice
  • Salaries
      Kultaa El Pasoon
      (1967)
      $300,000 + %10 of the gross.

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