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Kirk Douglas

Birth Name:
Issur Danielovitch Demsky
Birth Place:
Amsterdam, New York, United States
Profession
Actor, Producer, Soundtrack, Director, Writer
Kirk Douglas

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: "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․"
  • 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․"
  • 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 AwardWinner
  • 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 BearNominated
  • 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
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