We've learned the sad news this afternoon that one of the most famous actors of the mid-20th Century, 3-time Oscar nominee and father of Michael Douglas, the legendary Kirk Douglas, has passed away at the age of 103.
Most known for his roles in Spartacus, Ace in the Hole, Lust for Life, The Bad and the Beautiful and Champion, Douglas starred in well over 80 films throughout his career, and though he never won an Academy Award, Douglas was given an Honorary Oscar in 1996 "for 50 years as a creative and moral force in the motion picture community." Steven Spielberg presented him with the award.
In the horror and sci-fi community, Douglas starred in Brian De Palma’s 1978 film The Fury, wherein he played a former CIA agent who uses the talents of a young psychic to help retrieve his telekinetic son from terrorists.
He also starred in 1973’s made for TV film Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, 1977’s The Chosen (also released as Holocaust 2000 and Rain of Fire), and 1980’s Saturn 3. He also appeared in the "Tales from the Crypt" episode Yellow and voiced a part in the 1996 "The Simpsons" episode The Day the Violence Died.
His final big-screen role was in 2003's It Runs in the Family, a comedy in which he co-starred with Michael Douglas.
"It is with tremendous sadness that my brothers and I announce that Kirk Douglas left us today at the age of 103," Kirk's son, Michael Douglas, wrote in a statement on Instagram. "To the world he was a legend, an actor from the golden age of movies who lived well into his golden years, a humanitarian whose commitment to justice and the causes he believed in set a standard for all of us to aspire to."
He continued, "But to me and my brothers Joel and Peter he was simply Dad, to Catherine, a wonderful father-in-law, to his grandchildren and great grandchild their loving grandfather, and to his wife Anne, a wonderful husband," he added.Michael concluded his post by writing: "Kirk's life was well lived, and he leaves a legacy in film that will endure for generations to come, and a history as a renowned philanthropist who worked to aid the public and bring peace to the planet.Let me end with the words I told him on his last birthday and which will always remain true. Dad- I love you so much and I am so proud to be your son."
The cinematic world has lost an amazing actor, icon and family man. A true giant from the golden age of Hollywood. Rest in peace, legend.