Kirk Douglas Reaches The Impressive Age Of 103 Today

Dec 09, 2019 by apost team

Kirk Douglas has out-lived many of his Golden Age of Hollywood co-stars and reached the incredible age of 103 today. He has led a storied life over those years and kept his family close the whole time.

A large part of his last 103 years has fortunately been captured on classic films such as Spartacus (1960), The Bad and the Beautiful (1952), The Champion (1949), and countless others. However, the starstudded actor now spends his days with family and with his wife of 65 years, Anne Buydens.

Krik is actor Michael Douglas's father, and is father-in-law to Michael's wife Catherine Zeta-Jones. The craft of acting is clearly important in this star-studded family.

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Douglas' long and big-screened life first started out with humble beginnings. According to Kirk Douglas' website, he was born in 1916 to Russian Jewish immigrant parents who had recently arrived in the United States. The only boy among six sisters, Kirk found his love of acting at an early age. He eventually went on to attend the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City on scholarship. 

Kirk launched his Hollywood career when he was cast with Barbara Stanwyck in the film The Strange Love of Martha Ivers (1946). His website tells of Kirk's early film roles including the film noir Out of the Past (1947), directed by Jacques Tourneur, and Joseph Mankiewicz’s A Letter to Three Wives (1949). However, Kirk achieved his first Oscar nomination for playing a fierce boxer in director Mark Robson's The Champion (1949).

Kirk went on to achieve two more Oscar nominations and then to receive an Oscar for Lifetime Achievement. Douglas raised four sons over his lifetime, Michael and Joel Douglas from his first marriage with actress Diana Dill (1943-1951), and Peter and Eric with Anne Buydens. 

Both Kirk and Michael have received special titles and awards for their humanitarian work around the world. According to Ambassadors For Peace, Michael Douglas was named a United Nations' Messenger of Peace. Similarly, Kirk has been a Goodwill Ambassador for the U.S. State Department as told on his website. 

MIchael Douglas spoke to Jimmy Kimmel recently about Kirk's wishes for his big 103rd celebration, saying he was begging for a quiet party this year. Since they had a huge party for his 100th birthday in 2016, he has since wanted to keep things more quiet.

During his appearance in November, Michael joked to the late-night show host, "So he’s begging me, he’s got tears down his eyes. ‘Let’s just have dinner, the family together. Bring the kids.'" according to People.

Happy birthday to Kirk Douglas on this momentous occasion! What are your favorite roles of this incredible talent? Let us know in the comments below and tell others about the centenarian's professional and personal achievements.