Early Life
Kirk Douglas was an iconic American actor, producer, author, and philanthropist who made an indelible mark on the American cultural landscape. Born Issur Danielovitch on December 9, 1916, in Amsterdam, New York, Douglas was the son of Jewish immigrants from what is now Belarus. He grew up in poverty but, through a combination of determination, hard work, and a wrestling scholarship, was able to attend St. Lawrence University. While at St. Lawrence, Douglas excelled in acting and public speaking, gaining recognition from his professors, who encouraged him to pursue drama professionally. Their support led him to secure a scholarship to the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York, where he studied alongside future stars like Lauren Bacall.
After serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II, Douglas made his Broadway debut in the play Spring Again in 1941. Though it was a minor role, it marked the beginning of his professional acting career. Douglas also appeared in other Broadway productions, including The Three Sisters and Alice in Arms. His stage experience helped him develop the powerful screen presence that later defined his film career and led to his casting in his first film, The Strange Love of Martha Ivers (1946), alongside Barbara Stanwyck.
Douglas the Star
- Champion (1949) – Earned his first Academy Award nomination for Best Actor.
- Ace in the Hole (1951) – A film noir classic where he played a ruthless journalist.
- The Bad and the Beautiful (1952) – Another Oscar-nominated performance as a manipulative film producer.
- 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954) – A Disney classic where he portrayed Ned Land.
- Paths of Glory (1957) – A powerful anti-war film directed by Stanley Kubrick.
- Spartacus (1960) – His most famous role as a rebellious slave. As the film’s executive producer, Douglas helped break McCarthy’s hold on Hollywood by crediting blacklisted screenwriter Dalton Trumbo.
- Lonely Are the Brave (1962) – One of his personal favorites, a Western about a cowboy struggling in the modern world.
- Seven Days in May (1964) – A political thriller about a military coup attempt in the U.S.
- Tough Guys (1986) – His final major film, alongside longtime friend Burt Lancaster.
Douglas appeared in over 90 films throughout his career that spanned six decades. He was also a producer, founding his own production company, Bryna Productions. Films produced through that company include Paths of Glory (1957), The Vikings (1958), Spartacus (1960), Town Without Pity (1961), Lonely Are the Brave (1962), Seven Days in May (1964), The Brotherhood (1968), Scalawag (1973), and Posse (1975).
Douglas the Author
Kirk Douglas was also a prolific author. In addition to his Hollywood career, he wrote several books, including memoirs, novels, and reflections on his life and experiences. Some of his notable works include:
- The Ragman’s Son (1988) – His first autobiography, in which he recounts his journey from an impoverished childhood to Hollywood stardom.
- Climbing the Mountain: My Search for Meaning (1997) – A deeply personal book exploring his Jewish faith and spirituality.
- My Stroke of Luck (2002) – A memoir about his recovery after suffering a debilitating stroke in 1996.
- Let’s Face It: 90 Years of Living, Loving, and Learning (2007) – A reflection on life, aging, and his Hollywood experiences.
- I Am Spartacus!: Making a Film, Breaking the Blacklist (2012) – A behind-the-scenes look at the making of Spartacus and how he helped break the Hollywood blacklist.
- Last Tango in Brooklyn (1994) and Dance with the Devil (1990) – Novels he wrote later in life.
Douglas the Philanthropist
- St. Lawrence University
- Kirk Douglas Stroke Research Center, UCLA
- Children’s Hospital Los Angeles
- Anne Douglas Center For Women, Los Angeles Mission
- Motion Picture & Television Fund
- Anne & Kirk Douglas Breast Center, Eisenhower Health
- Kirk Douglas Theatre
- Anne & Kirk Douglas Playground Awards
“To the world, he was a legend—an actor from the golden age of movies who lived well into his golden years, a humanitarian whose commitment to justice and the causes he believed in set a standard for all of us to aspire to.”
– Michael Douglas
Taking a Stand
During the Red Scare of the late 1940s and 1950s, Hollywood was deeply affected by McCarthyism and the Hollywood blacklist, which targeted writers, directors, and actors suspected of having Communist ties. Unlike some Hollywood figures who remained silent or cooperated with HUAC by naming suspected Communists, Douglas refused to participate in blacklisting and spoke out against it, believing that the Red Scare was damaging to artistic freedom and personal liberties.
His decision to hire blacklisted screenwriter Dalton Trumbo—one of the “Hollywood Ten” who had been jailed for refusing to testify before the House Un-American Activities Committee—for Spartacus, the iconic film he both produced and starred in.His insistence that Trumbo receive full screen credit under his real name, was widely seen as a turning point in ending the blacklist. That turning point was further solidified when President John F. Kennedy crossed a picket line to see Spartacus, signaling his political support for Douglas’ bravery.
Kirk Douglas’ bold stance remains one of his most significant contributions to Hollywood beyond acting, cementing his legacy not only as a star but as a defender of artistic freedom and justice.
Legacy
