Kirk Douglas, legendary Hollywood actor, dead at 103

Kirk Douglas, one of Hollywood’s great leading men died Wednesday at age 103.

His son, actor Michael Douglas announced his death in an Instagram post on behalf of the family.

“It is with tremendous sadness that my brothers and I announce that Kirk Douglas left us today at the age of 103,” he wrote on his Instagram account.

“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. 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: “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.”

Douglas is survived by his wife and three sons, Michael, Peter and Joel Douglas. His youngest son with his second wife Anne Buydens Douglas, Eric, died in 2004 of what was ruled an accidental drug overdose.

Hollywood Reacts :

Kirk Douglas was one of the biggest stars of all time & a brilliant actor with an unforgettable, blazing charisma. He will also be remembered for putting his career on the line by defying the Hollywood Blacklist, hiring writer Dalton Trumbo for the classic Spartacus. #RIP 💔 pic.twitter.com/snzoHPMtDr
— Mark Hamill (@HamillHimself) February 6, 2020

Thinking about Kirk Douglas and his family tonight. Not only was he a towering presence in film history. He also risked his career and financial stability to do the right thing to help break the Blacklist. That kind of heroism makes all of us stand up and shout, I AM SPARTACUS pic.twitter.com/ujaMzeiN39
— Bryan Cranston (@BryanCranston) February 6, 2020

RIP Kirk Douglas, 103.
One of the all-time great movie stars. What a life. 👏👏 pic.twitter.com/V0l1qEZvTv
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) February 6, 2020

“Kirk Douglas” the Great movie “Champion” a lesson for me,to this day: “The bottom, is nothing to be afraid of,” if you willing to fight, Kirk you’re forever loved,Thanks pic.twitter.com/oRSSrZlNUr
— George Foreman (@GeorgeForeman) February 6, 2020

Kirk Douglas stood up for decency, justice, and the best of America when he put himself on the line to end the blacklist. He’s a reminder that when people with power stand up to tyranny, they can affect change. https://t.co/6CBT5kkNQL
— Ben Mankiewicz (@BenMank77) February 6, 2020

Working with #KirkDouglas #TRUMBO was one of the highlights of my life. Here we are April 28, 2014: Jay Roach, the man, me and Michael London. The world has lost a star, an icon and a hero, onscreen but especially off, where he put everything on the line to end injustice. pic.twitter.com/pAcSE96o5Y
— John McNamara (@johnthemcnamara) February 6, 2020

RIP #kirkdouglas I remember him walking into a lift in NYC, I was 21. After a few moments he looked up at me and said “how’s school son?” I said “good sir”. (I couldn’t tell him I never finished school.) What a moment, what a total legend he was.
— Bryan Adams (@bryanadams) February 6, 2020

Kirk Douglas. The inspirational Scalawag. 103 years on this earth. That’s got a nice ring to it! Great hanging with you man.
— Danny DeVito (@DannyDeVito) February 6, 2020

KIrk Douglas will always be an icon in the pantheon of Hollywood. He put himself on the line to break the blacklist. My love goes out to my friend Michael and the whole family.
— Rob Reiner (@robreiner) February 5, 2020

Sad to hear that the great Hollywood Star #KirkDouglas has passed away at 103. Kirk was an old family friend who starred with my grandfather in “20,000 Leagues Under The Sea” back in 1954. Here they are together in the film. He lived an incredible life, and he will be missed. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/CSYadyOIO9
— James Duke Mason (@JamesDukeMason) February 5, 2020

“I wanted to be an actor ever since I was a kid in the second grade. I did a play, and my mother made a black apron, and I played a shoemaker. After the performance, [my father] gave me my first Oscar: an ice cream cone.” -Kirk Douglas

Goodbye to a Hollywood legend. pic.twitter.com/vnu1Hkb2FA
— The Academy (@TheAcademy) February 5, 2020

After many years of banishment @CBS courtesy of Les Moonves I want to thank the producers of @AllRiseCBS for being brave enough to invite me to guest star on their show. They did a helluva thing, (on Kirk Douglas's birthday no less) Please support them! It airs tonight!
— Illeana Douglas (@Illeanarama) December 9, 2019

Legendary actor Kirk Douglas has passed on today at the age of 103. An Academy Award winning actor and recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Douglas was a champion for many just causes and lived a long and storied life. He was adored and beloved, and he shall be missed.
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) February 5, 2020

Condolences to the family of Kirk Douglas. What an incredible icon he was in this industry! 😞
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) February 5, 2020

Bravo Kirk Douglas on an incredible life. Thank you for so generously sharing your amazing talent with all of us. The film we made together will always hold a special place in my heart. My love to Anne & your beautiful family. #KirkDouglas
— Mitzi Gaynor (@TheMitziGaynor) February 5, 2020

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