Kirk Douglas biography, best roles, children, son, age and cause of death, height

Biography of Kirk Douglas

Kirk Douglas was a legendary actor who starred in nearly 100 films and left an indelible mark on cinema history, bringing iconic characters like Spartacus and Ulysses to life. The son of a Jewish immigrant, he became a star of world cinema and the golden age of American film. He earned three Oscar nominations and received an honorary Oscar for his contributions to cinema. The Hollywood legend passed away on February 5, 2020, at the age of 103.

Childhood and Family

In 1910, Herschel and Bryna Danielovitch emigrated to the United States from the pre-revolutionary Russian Empire, leaving the small town of Chausy in the Mogilev Governorate (now part of Belarus). They moved to the city of Amsterdam, New York, where Herschel's brother had already settled in the local Jewish community. To blend in, Herschel took the name Harry, Bryna became Bertha, and they changed their surname to the more English-friendly "Demsky."

Unfortunately, the family's hopes for a bright future in America didn't materialize. The residents of Amsterdam, New York were, to put it mildly, unwelcoming to Jews. The city had dozens of factories, but no one wanted to hire a Jew. Back home, Herschel had been a horse trader and was quite well-off. In America, he could barely afford a horse and cart. He became a junk dealer, buying odds and ends from townspeople and selling them as scrap. Even among poor immigrants, the Danielovitch family was at the bottom of the ladder.

The couple's seven children grew up in crushing poverty. The only son, whom the world would later know as Kirk Douglas, was named Issur at birth in 1916. From a young age, he worked to help feed the family: delivering milk and newspapers, selling candy to factory workers, and taking any job that would earn a few pennies. He held around forty different jobs before becoming an actor.

The junk dealer's son showed acting talent early on. When the family gathered for Jewish holidays and birthdays, Izzy delighted them by impersonating movie stars and reciting excerpts from classic works in a mix of Yiddish and English. He kept his acting dreams secret from his parents and planned to move to New York after graduating from college.

The Difficult Path to Success

The Academy of Dramatic Arts was Izzy's ticket to his acting dreams, but there was one problem: he needed money he simply didn't have. During entrance exams, fate stepped in for the junkman's son.

Tall and striking like a Greek god, the talented young man with his resolute chin so impressed the committee that they admitted him on the spot and awarded the future star a scholarship. When a teacher suggested Izzy adopt a stage name, the young actor soon made his theater debut as Kirk Douglas.

When World War II broke out, Kirk wanted to serve on the front lines, but military doctors discovered his poor eyesight. Through eye exercises and sheer determination, Kirk improved his vision enough to qualify for naval service.

Kirk Douglas is the pseudonym of Izzy Danielovich

Kirk's combat service was short-lived – luck seemed to be on his side. After being wounded, Kirk was hospitalized and declared unfit for combat. He returned to civilian life. Throughout his life, he'd cheat death repeatedly, somehow always pulling through.

Best Movie Roles

Audiences first glimpsed the young actor in the 1946 film "The Strange Love of Martha Ivers," where he played the husband of the main character—a woman who destroyed both their lives, ultimately driving him to suicide. His co-stars were Barbara Stanwyck and Lizabeth Scott.

Kirk Douglas and Barbara Stanwyck in 'The Strange Love of Martha Ivers'

Kirk's rise to stardom came in the 1950s, and his powerhouse performance as boxer Midge in the 1949 film "Champion" earned him his first Oscar nomination.

Over several years, Douglas starred in ten films and became one of Hollywood's most popular actors. Newspapers crowned him the most handsome man in Hollywood, and theaters witnessed long lines of eager fans.

Another career-defining film for Douglas was "The Bad and the Beautiful," which earned him a second Oscar nomination and the chance to work alongside Lana Turner, Rosemary Bartlow, Barry Sullivan, and Walter Pidgeon. In this 1952 film that exceeded all expectations, Kirk brilliantly portrayed a narcissistic wealthy producer whom three broken individuals blame for their shattered dreams. Kirk's aristocratic features are particularly striking in this film, and his layered, nuanced performance stands as a masterclass in acting.

Kirk Douglas with Lana Turner in 'The Bad and the Beautiful'

In 1954, the historical drama "Ulysses" was released, where Douglas transformed into the legendary hero Odysseus, battling his way home after the Trojan War. Anthony Quinn joined him in this film. Even 60 years later, the film holds up remarkably well, and Kirk's stunts still dazzle with their combination of power and grace.

That same year, Douglas appeared as a professional racer in the dramatic film "The Racers," and the following year he embodied Van Gogh in the legendary "Lust for Life," earning both an Oscar nomination and a Golden Globe.

In the next five years, Kirk effortlessly transformed into various characters: detectives and criminals, betrayed husbands and frivolous lovers, doctors, military generals, cowboys, and Vikings.

The film adaptation of Howard Fast's novel about Spartacus, who dared to challenge authority, cemented Kirk Douglas's place in cinematic history as one of Hollywood's Golden Age legends.

Spartacus - Kirk Douglas

Throughout his incredibly prolific career, Kirk starred in nearly 100 films. His standout performances in classic films that have become cultural touchstones include "The Last Sunset," "Seven Days in May," "Cast a Giant Shadow," "The Way West," "The Legend of Silent Night," "The Fury," "The Man from Snowy River," and many others .

In the early 1970s, Kirk stepped behind the camera to direct the Westerns "Posse" and "Scalawag," starring in both films. While the first film received mixed reviews, the second was nominated for the Golden Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival.

Kirk Douglas appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1973)

At the Edge of Life

In 1991, Douglas nearly lost his life in a devastating aircraft collision. He was aboard a helicopter departing from São Paulo, Brazil, with two pilots when a small plane slammed into their aircraft shortly after takeoff. Both pilots were killed instantly—it took rescue crews an hour and a half to pull their bodies from the twisted wreckage. Miraculously, despite being 74 years old, Douglas walked away with just a back injury.

Kirk Douglas almost died in a plane crash

Five years later, a massive stroke nearly ended everything. The damage was devastating: his speech became garbled, his hearing and vision severely impaired, and his limbs barely responded.

At his lowest point, Kirk lost all hope. Exhausted from the struggle, he attempted to end his life with a gun, but his shaking hands caused him to strike only his teeth. In that moment, he understood that fate had intervened once more, saving him from a tragic mistake.

A long recovery process began. Just when all seemed hopeless, speech therapy became his lifeline—slowly, his voice began to return. In 1999, Kirk, having crossed the eighty-year mark, starred in the comedy-drama "Diamonds," playing a former boxer and now a lonely old man with paralysis. Audiences marveled at his performance, praising how "convincingly Douglas portrayed the character"—unaware he wasn't acting at all.

Kirk Douglas receives a Honorary Oscar (1996)

Against all odds, Douglas not only survived but returned to acting full-time, though he never fully recovered control of his body. In the 2004 drama "It Runs in the Family," he acted alongside Diana Dill, his first wife, his son Michael Douglas, and his grandson Cameron. The film also featured Rory Culkin, Michelle Monaghan, and Kelli Overton. In the drama "Illusion," Brian Cranston and Ron Marasco joined Kirk.

Kirk Douglas with his son Michael and grandson Cameron in the film 'It Runs in the Family'

His final performance came as Jim Kovalski in the 2008 mockumentary "Empire State Building Murders."

As Douglas neared 90, time finally caught up with him—he stepped away from the screen for good.

Kirk Douglas' star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

Books

Kirk's first book was published in 1988. The autobiographical work "The Ragman's Son" chronicles his journey from poverty to stardom, detailing every obstacle he overcame.

"I am a happy man who has achieved everything one could dream of," the actor writes.

Over the following years, Kirk penned several more books, including romance-adventure novels that won critical praise and established him as a gifted storyteller. It is "Dance With the Devil," "Last Tango in Brooklyn," "The Gift," and others.

Personal Life of Kirk Douglas

While recovering from wounds sustained in combat, Kirk spotted a photo of young actress Diana Love Dill and told his roommates she'd be his future wife.

Kirk Douglas with his first wife Diana Love Webster

The truth was, Kirk and Diana had actually attended the Academy together, but he'd been so focused on his studies and work that he didn't remember her. When they reconnected in 1943, they married within the year.

The marriage was short-lived. They divorced shortly after their second son was born, but remained close friends for life. Michael Douglas became a well-known actor and award winner, while Joel became a producer.

Kirk's second wife, Anne Buydens, gave him two more sons: Peter, who also became an actor, and Eric, who pursued acting but struggled to find success and turned to drugs.

Kirk Douglas with his wife Anne Buydens and children

In 2004, Eric Douglas was found dead. When Michael began struggling with drugs and alcohol, one stern conversation with his father set him straight. Kirk told him, "I fought so hard to climb out of the dirt, and you're so eager to crawl back in!"

Recent Years and Death

By 2019, the legendary star once known as the world's most handsome man had become the planet's oldest living actor. He turned 103 in December 2019.

What Kirk Douglas Looked Like at 102

Though Kirk hadn't acted since 2004, he remained active in philanthropy, regularly donating substantial amounts to charities and nursing homes for isolated seniors.

Kirk credited his longevity to his happy marriage with Anne, who celebrated her 100th birthday in 2019. He kept his curiosity about life, sharp wit, and sense of humor intact.

Michael Douglas revealed that despite his father's mobility limitations, Kirk still worked with a trainer daily, stayed in touch with friends, and spent considerable time writing.

Public appearances became rare for Kirk. In early 2018, he attended an auction and purchased several paintings for his art collection, which was considered among the world's largest and most valuable.

Pictured: Kirk Douglas in the Last Years of His Life

Michael Douglas announced his father's passing on February 5, 2020. While no official cause of death was released, it was clear he died peacefully of natural causes at his advanced age.

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