Kirk Douglas (1916–2020) was a legendary American actor, producer, and author.
Born Issur Danielovitch in Amsterdam, New York, to Russian-Jewish immigrants, he rose from poverty to become one of Hollywood’s biggest stars. After serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II, he made his film debut in The Strange Love of Martha Ivers (1946).
Douglas became famous for his intense performances in films like Champion (1949), Paths of Glory (1957), and Spartacus (1960), where he also helped break Hollywood’s blacklist. His versatility shone in dramas, westerns, and war films, earning three Academy Award nominations before receiving an honorary Oscar in 1996.
Beyond acting, he was a philanthropist and author, dedicating much of his later life to charity. He survived a severe stroke in 1996 but remained active in public life. Kirk Douglas passed away on February 5, 2020, at the age of 103, leaving behind a remarkable legacy in cinema and beyond.
