Kirk Douglas turns 100

He made his film debut in 1946 with The Strange Love of Martha Ivers. Since then there has been no stopping Kirk Douglas, who in his long career spanning nearly 60 years has not only acted, directed and produced films but also authored several books. From reigning the screens in the 50s and 60s to surviving a stroke and a helicopter crash, Kirk (who’s actor Michael Douglas’ father) has been invincible on and off screen. Here are some of his noteworthy films and trivia from his life. 

TRIVIA

Kirk was born Issur Danielovich Demsky, son of an illiterate Russian-Jewish rag picker Herschel Danielovitch and his wife Bryna. 

Though Kirk was brought up Jewish, he did not practice the religion as an adult. However, he had a second Bar Mitzvah at the age of 83 reaffirming his belief in the faith. 

The actor is apparently about 5’7” — 5’8” in height. He used many lifts on screen in order to appear 5’11” in his films. 

He was nominated for a Best Actor Oscar three times, but never won. In 1996 though, Kirk was given an honourary Oscar for his 50 years in the film industry.
He also got American Film Institute’s Lifetime Achievement award.

One of his longterm co-stars and friend was Burt Lancaster with whom he did seven movies — Victory at Entebbe, Tough Guys, Seven Days in May, The List of Adrian Messenger, I Walk Alone, Gunfight at the OK Corral and The Devil’s Disciple.

Kirk had a severe stroke in 1996. The actor underwent speech therapy for several years that improved his ability to speak again. This became the subject of one of his books, My Stroke of Luck. Five years earlier, he survived a helicopter crash where two others were killed. The actor suffered from a major back injury post the incident.

On his 99th birthday, Kirk made a donation of $15 million, towards the Motion Picture & Television Fund in Woodland Hills that plans to build an Alzheimer’s facility, which will be able to take care of more than 80 industry members with that disease. 

Noteworthy movie roles

Champion

This 1949 film based on a short story by Ring Lardner, put Kirk in the limelight as he took on the role of Midge Kelly, an unscrupulous boxer. His performance earned him his first Oscar nomination for Best Actor.

The Bad and the Beautiful 

This 1952 film that revolves around the life of a film producer, got Kirk a Best Actor Oscar nomination. The film also won five Oscars for Best Supporting Actress, Art Direction, Cinematography, Costume Design and Writing.

Young Man with a Horn

In this musical drama, Kirk played a jazz musician who quickly earned much fame and fortune but gradually loses it all due to his dependency on alcohol. 

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea 

This 1954 film based on the Jules Verne book of the same name, was Disney’s first live action spectacle and saw Kirk play a 19th century seaman. It became one of the top 10 highest-grossing pictures of that year.

Spartacus

One of his most memorable films, this was a classic tale of a slave revolting against the Roman Empire. Kirk not only played the lead, but as the film’s executive producer, broke with Hollywood’s blacklisting of the 1950s and hired a screenwriter who had been banned for Communist ties. Spartacus became a critical and box-office success.

Paths of Glory

Directed by Stanley Kubrick, this anti-war film, set against the backdrop of World War I, had Kirk essay the role of French Army Colonel who refused to continue with a suicidal attack.

Ace in the Hole

This 1951 film was about a manipulative newspaper reporter who tries to capitalise on a major disaster in order to regain his job. The film went on to receive an Oscar nomination for Best Story and Screenplay.

Lust for Life

This 1956 production was a biographical work of the life of the troubled Dutch artist Vincent Van Gogh. Kirk portrayed the various facets of the painter with ease and earned himself a Best Actor Oscar nomination.  

Compiled by Sanaya Chavda