Kirk Douglas biography

Synopsis

Early Life

Born as Issur Danielovitch on December 9, 1916 in Amsterdam, New York, actor Kirk Douglas is known for his distinctive voice, strapping physique and cleft chin. The son of Russian Jewish immigrants, Douglas grew up poor. He worked odd jobs to pay for his college, and to support himself while studying acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Art. He had no idea, at that time, what his future had in store: In 1950s and '60s, Douglas was one of the most popular leading men in cinema.

After serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II—and a brief career on the Broadway stage—Douglas made his first Hollywood film, The Strange Love of Martha Ivers (1946), co-starring with Barbara Stanwyck. Three years later, he gave a breakthrough performance as a boxer who stops at nothing to make it to the top in Champion (1949). He amazed audiences and critics alike with his portrayal of Midge Kelly in the film, which earned him his first Academy Award nomination.

Career Highlights

A sought-after actor, Douglas worked with many leading directors, including Billy Wilder, for 1951's The Big Carnival. However, it was his work with Vincente Minnelli that led to two of his greatest performances—as morally bankrupt movie executive Jonathan Shields in The Bad and the Beautiful (1952), and troubled artist Vincent van Gogh in Lust for Life (1956). Douglas earned an Academy Award nomination for each of those films.

In addition to his critical acclaim, Douglas became a big box-office draw. Over the years, he often appeared with his friend and fellow Hollywood heavyweight, Burt Lancaster, in such films as Gunfight at the O.K. Corral (1957), a western drama; The Devil's Disciple (1959); and Seven Days in May (1964). Working with director Stanley Kubrick, he also starred in the World War I drama Paths of Glory (1957) and Spartacus (1960). Douglas's work in Spartacus as a Roman slave who leads an uprising—the film's title character—is considered to be one of his signature roles.

In the 1970s, Douglas tried his hand at directing, but met with little success. Two of his directorial efforts that decade, Scalawag (1973) and Posse (1975), failed to make much of an impression on movie-goers. Around the same time, his acting career stalled. His later and more memorable films include The Man from Snowy River (1982) and Tough Guys (1986)—his last on-screen reunion with Lancaster.

Writing and Acting

While one phase of Douglas's life was slowing down, another was just beginning. In 1989, he shared his life story in the best-selling autobiography, The Ragman's Son. He also showed a talent for fiction writing, with such works as Dance with the Devil (1990) and The Gift (1992). One of his nonfiction works, Climbing the Mountain: My Search for Meaning (1997), was published shortly after Douglas experienced a nearly fatal stroke, in 1995.