Contents
Kirk Douglas
Playing Spartacus and helping challenge the Hollywood blacklist.
Lust for Life · Paths of Glory
- Born
- 9 December 1916
- Birthplace
- United States
- Died
- 5 February 2020
More people
Kirk Douglas
Kirk Douglas was an American actor and producer known for forceful performances in dramas, westerns and historical epics. His career also included memoirs and philanthropy.
Early life
Poverty
Grew up in Amsterdam, New York, in an immigrant family with six sisters.
Training
Studied at St Lawrence University and the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.
Career
- 1946
Film debut
Appeared in The Strange Love of Martha Ivers.
- 1949
Breakthrough
Earned an Oscar nomination for Champion.
- 1960
Spartacus
Produced and starred in the historical epic.
- 1996
Honorary Oscar
Received an Academy Award for his career.
Selected work
Lust for Life
Portrayed Vincent van Gogh.
Paths of Glory
Played an officer confronting military injustice.
Spartacus
Played the leader of a slave revolt.
Beyond work
Family
Was the father of actor Michael Douglas and three other sons.
Writing
Recounted his childhood and career in The Ragman’s Son.
Sources & photo credit
Life, career and references ↗Biography and career evidence ↗Featured context evidence ↗Photo: Unknown author Unknown author. Public domain · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
