Kirk Douglas - Directors, Facts and Personal Life
Kirk Douglas's Personal Details
Kirk Douglas or Issur Danielovitch Demsky is an American actor, producer and director
| Information | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birthday | December 9, 1916 |
| Nationality | American |
| Famous | Jewish Actors, Film & Theater Personalities, Actors, Directors, T V & Movie Producers, ISTJ |
| City/State | New Yorkers |
| Spouses | Anne Buydens |
| Known as | Issur Danielovitch Demsky, Issur Danielovitch, Izzy Demsky, Mr Kirk Douglas |
| Childrens | Michael Douglas |
| Universities |
|
| Birth Place | Amsterdam, New York, U.S. |
| Religion | Conservative Judaism |
| Height | 175 |
| Gender | Male |
| Father | Herschel Danielovitch |
| Mother | Bryna Sanglel |
| Net Worth | $60 million as of Apr 18,2017 |
| Sun Sign | Sagittarius |
| Born in | Amsterdam, New York, U.S. |
| Famous as | Actor |
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Kirk Douglas's photo
Who is Kirk Douglas?
Kirk Douglas or Issur Danielovitch Demsky is an American actor, producer and director who rose from the ghettos to become a super star in American cinema. His parents were very poor Jewish immigrants from Chavusy, located in present day Belarus. Kirk was a very keen student and athlete. He was fond of acting and at a very young age realized that getting a scholarship for acting would be the road to salvation from his poor and wretched condition. He had enough talent to get enrolled at the ‘American Academy of Dramatic Arts’ which opened the door to fame and riches. He has acted in a large number of movies including serious works, thrillers, westerns and comedies. His gravelly voice, dimpled chin, steely and penetrating gaze helped him to play roles which were very compelling and brought him rave reviews. He has acted in seven films with Burt Lancaster who is another American film legend. He has acted in a variety of roles ranging from an opportunistic and untrustworthy character to a rebellious and unsavory character. He has acted in sci-fi thrillers and has been nominated for the Oscar many times.
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Childhood & Early Life
Kirk Douglas was born in Amsterdam, New York, USA, on December 9, 1916 to Herschel Danielovitch and Bryna Sanglel Danielovitch. Kirk grew up with six sisters.
During his early days he worked at different jobs to support himself and his family and wanted to become a professional actor.
After completing high school he was able to get a loan from the Dean of the St. Lawrence University to pay for his studies.
He got a scholarship for studying acting from New York’s ‘American Academy of Dramatic Arts’ which recognized his acting talent.
Career
Kirk Douglas started his acting career with a handful of minor roles in various Broadway productions.
He joined the US Navy in 1941 during the Second World War and returned to acting in the theater after the end of the war in 1945.
In 1946 Hal B. Wallis gave Kirk the lead role in ‘The Strange Love of Martha Ivers’ which brought rave reviews.
In 1948 he acted in the low-key drama ‘I Walk Alone’ alongside Burt Lancaster for the first time.
He received his first nomination for the Oscar in 1949 for his role in ‘Champion’.
He acted in the film ‘Ace in the Hole’ in 1951. The ‘Bad and the Beautiful’ brought him his second Oscar nomination in 1952.
He started his own production company ‘Bryna Productions’ in 1955.
His third Oscar nomination came with the film ‘Lust for Life’ in 1956.
The film ‘Gunfight at the O.K. Corral’ in 1957 was another of his films with Burt Lancaster.
He acted in the anti-war epic ‘Paths of Glory’ in 1957 and the magnificent film ‘Spartacus’ in 1960 under the banner of Bryna Productions.
In 1962 he acted in the western ‘Lonely Are the Brave’ while in 1963 he appeared in the stage adaptation of ‘One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest’ which was made into a film in 1975 by his son Michael.
In 1964 he acted in the political thriller ‘Seven Days in May’. He acted alongside John Wayne in the Second World War film ‘in Harm’s Way’ in 1965.
In 1966 he acted in the film ‘Cast a Giant Shadow’ based on the Israeli freedom struggle.
His second film with John Wayne was ‘The War Wagon’ in 1967
He paired up with Burt Lancaster for the last time in a gangster comedy called ‘Tough Guys’ in 1968.
He directed ‘Scalawag’ in 1973 and ‘Posse’ in 1975 but did not have much success at the box-office.
He starred alongside a young Arnold Schwarzenegger in the Western comedy film ‘The Villain’ in 1979.
His sci-fi film ‘Saturn 3’ with Farah Fawcett came out in 1980.
He travelled to Australia in 1982 to act in the film ‘The Man from Snowy River’.
He produced two great movies ‘Dance with the Devil’ and ‘The Gift’ in 1990 and 1992 respectively.
He starred in the comedy ‘Diamonds’ in 1999.
He was nominated for the Emmy Award for a guest appearance in ‘Touched by an Angel’ in 2000.
In 2003 he acted with his son Michael in the film ‘It Runs in the Family’.
In 2009 he staged a one-man show ‘Before I Forget’ and was greatly appreciated for his performance.
In 1988 he brought out his autography titled ‘The Ragman’s Son’, which was a best-seller.
He published the non-fiction, ‘Climbing the Mountain: My Search for Meaning’ in 1997’ and in 2003 and ‘My Stroke of Luck’.
He published the biographical work ‘Let’s face It: 90 Years of Living, Loving, and Learning’ in 2007 and ‘I am Spartacus! The making of a Film, Breaking the Blacklist’ in 2012.
Awards & Achievements
Kirk Douglas has received the American ‘Presidential Medal of Freedom’ in 1981 and the Jefferson Award in 1983 for his humanitarian activities.
He has received the ‘American Cinema Award’ and the ‘German Golden Kamera Award’ in 1987, the ‘National Board of Reviews Career Achievement Award’ in 1989, an honorary ‘Academy Award in 1995, the ‘Recipient of the American Film Institute’s Lifetime Achievement Award’ in 1999 and the ‘UCLA medal of Honor’ in 2002.
Personal Life & Legacy
Kirk Douglas married Diana Dill on November 2, 1943 and divorced her on February 23, 1951. He has two sons, Michael and Joel from this marriage.
He married Anne Budyens on May 29, 1954 and they have two sons, Peter and Eric from this marriage.
Kirk Douglas has contributed millions of dollars in aid to hospitals and other institutions. He has been the ‘Goodwill Ambassador’ of the US government since 1963.
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Kirk Douglas's awards
| Year | Name | Award |
|---|---|---|
Golden Globe Awards | ||
| 1957 | Best Actor - Drama | Lust for Life (1956) |
Kirk Douglas biography timelines
- // 9th Dec 1916Kirk Douglas was born in Amsterdam, New York, USA, on December 9, 1916 to Herschel Danielovitch and Bryna Sanglel Danielovitch. Kirk grew up with six sisters.
- // 1941 To 1945He joined the US Navy in 1941 during the Second World War and returned to acting in the theater after the end of the war in 1945.
- // 2nd Nov 1943 To 23rd Feb 1951Kirk Douglas married Diana Dill on November 2, 1943 and divorced her on February 23, 1951. He has two sons, Michael and Joel from this marriage.
- // 1946In 1946 Hal B. Wallis gave Kirk the lead role in ‘The Strange Love of Martha Ivers’ which brought rave reviews.
- // 1948In 1948 he acted in the low-key drama ‘I Walk Alone’ alongside Burt Lancaster for the first time.
- // 1949He received his first nomination for the Oscar in 1949 for his role in ‘Champion’.
- // 1951 To 1952He acted in the film ‘Ace in the Hole’ in 1951. The ‘Bad and the Beautiful’ brought him his second Oscar nomination in 1952.
- // 29th May 1954He married Anne Budyens on May 29, 1954 and they have two sons, Peter and Eric from this marriage.
- // 1955He started his own production company ‘Bryna Productions’ in 1955.
- // 1956His third Oscar nomination came with the film ‘Lust for Life’ in 1956.
- // 1957The film ‘Gunfight at the O.K. Corral’ in 1957 was another of his films with Burt Lancaster.
- // 1957 To 1960He acted in the anti-war epic ‘Paths of Glory’ in 1957 and the magnificent film ‘Spartacus’ in 1960 under the banner of Bryna Productions.
- // 1963Kirk Douglas has contributed millions of dollars in aid to hospitals and other institutions. He has been the ‘Goodwill Ambassador’ of the US government since 1963.
- // 1964 To 1965In 1964 he acted in the political thriller ‘Seven Days in May’. He acted alongside John Wayne in the Second World War film ‘in Harm’s Way’ in 1965.
- // 1966In 1966 he acted in the film ‘Cast a Giant Shadow’ based on the Israeli freedom struggle.
- // 1967His second film with John Wayne was ‘The War Wagon’ in 1967
- // 1968He paired up with Burt Lancaster for the last time in a gangster comedy called ‘Tough Guys’ in 1968.
- // 1973 To 1975He directed ‘Scalawag’ in 1973 and ‘Posse’ in 1975 but did not have much success at the box-office.
- // 1979He starred alongside a young Arnold Schwarzenegger in the Western comedy film ‘The Villain’ in 1979.
- // 1980His sci-fi film ‘Saturn 3’ with Farah Fawcett came out in 1980.
- // 1981 To 1983Kirk Douglas has received the American ‘Presidential Medal of Freedom’ in 1981 and the Jefferson Award in 1983 for his humanitarian activities.
- // 1982He travelled to Australia in 1982 to act in the film ‘The Man from Snowy River’.
- // 1988In 1988 he brought out his autography titled ‘The Ragman’s Son’, which was a best-seller.
- // 1990 To 1992He produced two great movies ‘Dance with the Devil’ and ‘The Gift’ in 1990 and 1992 respectively.
- // 1997 To 2003He published the non-fiction, ‘Climbing the Mountain: My Search for Meaning’ in 1997’ and in 2003 and ‘My Stroke of Luck’.
- // 1999He starred in the comedy ‘Diamonds’ in 1999.
- // 2000He was nominated for the Emmy Award for a guest appearance in ‘Touched by an Angel’ in 2000.
- // 2003In 2003 he acted with his son Michael in the film ‘It Runs in the Family’.
- // 2007 To 2012He published the biographical work ‘Let’s face It: 90 Years of Living, Loving, and Learning’ in 2007 and ‘I am Spartacus! The making of a Film, Breaking the Blacklist’ in 2012.
- // 2009In 2009 he staged a one-man show ‘Before I Forget’ and was greatly appreciated for his performance.
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Kirk Douglas's FAQ
What is Kirk Douglas birthday?
Kirk Douglas was born at 1916-12-09
Where is Kirk Douglas's birth place?
Kirk Douglas was born in Amsterdam, New York, U.S.
What is Kirk Douglas nationalities?
Kirk Douglas's nationalities is American
Who is Kirk Douglas spouses?
Kirk Douglas's spouses is Anne Buydens
Who is Kirk Douglas childrens?
Kirk Douglas's childrens is Michael Douglas
What was Kirk Douglas universities?
Kirk Douglas studied at St. Lawrence University, American Academy of Dramatic Arts
What is Kirk Douglas's religion?
Kirk Douglas's religion is Conservative Judaism
How tall is Kirk Douglas?
Kirk Douglas's height is 175
Who is Kirk Douglas's father?
Kirk Douglas's father is Herschel Danielovitch
Who is Kirk Douglas's mother?
Kirk Douglas's mother is Bryna Sanglel
What is Kirk Douglas's sun sign?
Kirk Douglas is Sagittarius
How famous is Kirk Douglas?
Kirk Douglas is famouse as Actor