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Kirk Douglas Biography

Birth Name:

Issur Danielovitch

Birth Place:

Amsterdam, New York, United States

Profession

Actor, producer, author

Fast Facts

Was a classmate of Lauren Bacall at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts
Served in the U
S
Navy, as a communications officer, during World War II
Formed one of Hollywood's first independent film companies, Bryna, in 1955
Helped break the Hollywood blacklist when he gave screen credit to blacklisted writer Dalton Trumbo for Spartacus (1960)
Placed No
36 on Entertainment Weekly's list of Greatest Movie Stars of All Time, and No
17 on the American Film Institute's rankings of the 50 Greatest Screen Legends
Was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1981, the highest U
S
honor a civilian can receive

1986Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Special: nominated
1986Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
1963BAFTA Film Awards-Best Foreign Actor: nominated
1957Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama: winner
1956Oscar-Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
1956New York Film Critics Circle-Best Actor: winner
1952Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama: nominated
1952Oscar-Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
1949Oscar-Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role: nominated