Kirk Douglas's bittersweet insight on aging:
“I am now a hundred years old. I read about Hollywood, and I don’t know the people. Where is Burt [Lancaster]? Where is Laurence Olivier? They’re all gone. I miss them. I feel lonely.”
With a staggering 91 acting credits spanning more than six decades, including three Academy Award nominations and honorary Lifetime Achievement Award Oscar in 1996, Douglas' influence on American Cinema is indisputable.
Married for 63 years to Anne Buydens, he is also the father of four sons, including, if ya didn't know for some reason, actor Michael Douglas. Douglas was also an influential voice in ending the Hollywood Blacklist of the 1950's through his support of screenwriter Dalton Trumbo. In addition, he is considered one of the worlds oldest active bloggers and continues to write for the Huffington Post.
Douglas discusses his life and work with Dick Cavett in 1971.
Douglas own recommendations of his movies to watch.
Some photos of Douglas through the years.
In a year when we have lost so many notable people please take a moment to celebrate the extraordinary life of this screen legend by sharing your favorite memories of his work.
From an interview he did last year with The Hollywood Reporter:
Douglas turns suddenly somber. “I am now a hundred years old. I read about Hollywood, and I don’t know the people. Where is Burt? Where is Laurence Olivier? They’re all gone. I miss them. I feel lonely.”
It’s one of the few moments of sadness from Douglas, who is otherwise upbeat and animated. He walks with assistance, and he speaks slowly and carefully, the result of a 1996 stroke. He interrupts the interview by saying, “I hope you understand me, because I used to talk better than this.”