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Kirk Douglas Biography

Birth Name:Issur Danielovitch Demsky

Birth Place:Amsterdam, New York, United States

Profession Actor, Producer, Soundtrack, Director, Writer

Fast Facts

Founded the Douglas Foundation in 1964 to help support charitable causes
Honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1980
Graduated from St․ Lawrence University
Is the father of actor Michael Douglas, producer Joel Douglas, producer Peter Douglas and comic Eric Douglas
While studying acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, he was a classmate of aspiring actresses Lauren Bacall and Diana Dill
Quote: "Virtue is not photogenic․ What is it to be a nice guy? To be nothing, that's what․ A big fat zero with a smile for everybody․"
Quote: "I think half the success in life comes from first trying to find out what you really want to do․ And then going ahead and doing it․"
Demanded writer Dalton Trumbo get credit for writing "Spartacus" in the midst of the Hollywood anticommunist era when Trumbo was blacklisted
In order to appear taller in films, he would wear lifts in his shoes while shooting scenes
Originally owned the film rights to "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," but ended up turning the rights over to his son Michael Douglas

Awards

1949Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (June): winner
1949Gold Medal-Most Popular Male Star: nominated
1950Oscar-Best Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
1950Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (April): winner
1951Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (December): winner
1951Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (May): winner
1952Golden Globe-Best Actor - Drama: nominated
1952Golden Laurel-Top Male Dramatic Performance: winner
1952Gold Medal-Best Actor: winner
1953Oscar-Best Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
1956NYFCC Award-Best Actor: winner
1957Oscar-Best Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
1957Golden Globe-Best Actor - Drama: winner
1957Special Award-: winner
1958Golden Laurel-Top Male Action Star: nominated
1958Zulueta Prize-Best Actor: winner
1961Golden Laurel-Top Male Dramatic Performance: nominated
1962Golden Laurel-Top Action Performance: nominated
1963BAFTA Film Award-Best Foreign Actor: nominated
1963Golden Laurel-Top Action Performance: nominated
1971Fotogramas de Plata-Best Foreign Performer (Mejor intérprete de cine extranjero): nominated
1975Golden Berlin Bear-: nominated
1980Stinker Award-Worst On-Screen Couple: nominated
1981Saturn Award-Best Actor: nominated
1981Razzie Award-Worst Actor: nominated
1986Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
1986Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Special: nominated
1992CableACE-Actor in a Dramatic Series: nominated
1992Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
2000Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series: nominated