Kirk Douglas American Actor (1916–2020)

Kirk Douglas (1916–2020) was an American actor from Amsterdam. His death was on 5 February 2020, at the age of 103. He was recognised as Spartacus in Spartacus (1960).

Early life

He went on to study at American Academy of Dramatic Arts, finishing in 1941 and St. Lawrence University.

Career

He appears in The Strange Love of Martha Ivers (1946), the earliest title among his listed credits. Out of the Past (1947) and A Letter to Three Wives (1949) are among his 1940s credits. In the 1950s, he appeared in 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954, as Ned Land) and Paths of Glory (1957). The 1960s brought The Heroes of Telemark (1965) and Is Paris Burning? (1966). His 1980s credits include The Final Countdown (1980) and Let Poland Be Poland (1982).

He had 85 films and one TV series on record from 1946 to 2012. Drama is the most frequent genre among his listed titles (6), followed by war (4) and action (2). Final Cut: Ladies and Gentlemen (2012) is the final credit listed before his death. The records also name him as director on 3 titles, including Lonely Are the Brave.

John Wayne appears in three of his listed titles, including The War Wagon (1967) and In Harm's Way (1965). Other co-stars who recur in his credits are Henry Fonda (three titles) and Laurence Olivier (two titles).

His work is filed under western and neo soul. Work listed as notable includes Lust for Life and The Vikings.

Recognition

His awards include an Academy Honorary Award (1995). His other honours include the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama (1956) for Lust for Life and a Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award (1967). The nominations list includes the Academy Award for Best Actor in 1950 for Champion. The records list 18 awards won and 10 nominations for him.

Public roles

Positions listed for him include President of the Jury at the Cannes Festival.

Personal life

Marriages on record are to Diana Douglas (1943 to 1951) and Anne Buydens (1954 to 2020, widowed). He was the father of Michael Douglas, Eric Douglas, Peter Douglas and Joel Douglas.