Kirk Douglas: biography and career

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

A bright representative of the "golden era" of Hollywood is an American actor, writer and former US State Department Ambassador Kirk Douglas. Films with his participation are known and remembered by many viewers. The actor is included in the list of male legends of classic Hollywood cinema, currently ranked first in it.

Childhood and adolescence

Real name Iser Danilovich. Born December 9, 1916 in Amsterdam, New York, in a poor family that has Jewish roots. He was the fourth child of seven children. Kirk Douglas was the only boy. His parents - Gershl and Brayna Danielovich - came from the now Belarusian city of Chausy. They moved to the United States two years after their marriage. Later, the parents changed their surname and first names to Harry and Berta Demsky.

The boy worked as a peddler of food and newspapers. The dream of an acting career appeared at the age of eight.

After high school, Kirk Douglas went to college, where he became interested in wrestling. Then he entered the prestigious Academy of Dramatic Arts. He couldn't pay for tuition, butmade such a strong impression on teachers that he was awarded a scholarship. After classes, he worked as a waiter in a cafe. With the name Iser, the guy did not count on success in the cinema. The head of the troupe suggested that he change his name to the current one. He liked the name and immediately agreed.

Served in the Navy during World War II. Later he was wounded, fell ill with dysentery, as a result of which he was commissioned. While in the hospital, Kirk married Diana Dill.

Career start

After returning home to his native New York, Douglas pursued an acting career. In this, Kirk was helped by his old friend Lauren Baccol, who recommended the aspiring actor to producer Hal Wallis. Kirk made his screen debut in the drama The Strange Love of Martha Ivers. After the role, the young man received a seven-year contract, was involved in the films "From the Past", "A Letter to Three Wives", "I'm Always Alone." After this picture, the actor began to collaborate with the most successful American actor Burt Lancaster.

In addition to the screen, young people maintained friendly relations in life. Kirk received an Oscar nomination for his role in Champion.

Success in movies

Since the 1950s, Kirk Douglas has become one of the most sought-after and famous actors. The film "The Evil and the Beautiful" earned Kirk a second Oscar nomination. He also took part in the film Lust for Life, where he played Vincent van Gogh. A few years laterthe actor decided to start his own production company, which sponsored some of the films in which Douglas himself starred ("Vikings", "Paths of Glory").

The company sponsored films by emerging directors. Kirk Douglas himself played the main role in D alton Trumbo's film "The Lonely Daredevil". Best Spartacus was Stanley Kubrick's first color film.

In 1962, Douglas bought the rights to staging Ken Kesey's book One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. Later, Kirk wanted to film the novel, but the idea did not generate interest. In the future, his son, Michael Kirk Douglas, took up the adaptation. Michael's films are of great interest to the audience.

Retirement

In the late 90s, the actor suffered a severe stroke, after which he could not return to the film industry. Then he took up writing books. His first work was the autobiography "Son of Ragman". Since then, several more books have been written that have received critical acclaim.

A second autobiographical book was also written, in which Douglas spoke about his life and the difficult path to an acting career, as well as meetings with Hollywood stars.

In 2011, Kirk attended the Oscars.

Private life

With his first wife, actress Diana Dill, Douglas lived for eight years (from 1943 to 1951), after which the couple divorced. They have two children. This is the daughter of Joel Douglas and no less famous son Michael Kirk Douglas. His films are quite popular.

Two years later, Douglas got married again. This time his wife was the German and American actress Ann Bidens. The couple also have two children: Peter and Eric. They still live with Ann, do charity work, donating money to educational institutions and medical centers. For now, they plan to donate most of their multi-million dollar fortune.

Thanks to their help, many people were able to get back on their feet, hundreds of playgrounds were restored, and the Kirk Douglas Theater opened.

Kirk donates money to build a care center for Hollywood actors and film industry members who suffer from Alzheimer's disease.

In December 2016, the actor celebrated his centenary. The celebration was organized by son Michael and his wife. The guests included Steven Spielberg and Jeffrey Katzenberg.

Kirk Douglas is constantly updating his page on the international social network "My Space".

Douglas was one of the most popular actors in American classic cinema, playing the roles of tough guys and cops.