Kirk Douglas or Issur Danielovitch Demsky was an American actor, producer, and director who rose from the ghettos to become a superstar in American cinema. His parents were very poor Jewish immigrants from Chavusy, located in present-day Belarus. Kirk was a very keen student and athlete. He was fond of acting and, at a very young age, realized that getting a scholarship for acting would be the road to salvation from his poor and wretched condition. He had enough talent to get enrolled at the ‘American Academy of Dramatic Arts, ' which opened the door to fame and riches. He has acted in a large number of movies, including serious works, thrillers, westerns, and comedies. His gravelly voice, dimpled chin, steely and penetrating gaze helped him to play roles that were very compelling and brought him rave reviews. He acted in seven films with Burt Lancaster, who is another American film legend. He portrayed in a variety of roles ranging from an opportunistic and untrustworthy character to a rebellious and unsavory character. He was nominated for the Oscar many times.
Known For
Credits
Cast Credits
Real Time with Bill Maher (2003)
Guest starring as Kirk Douglas
- Episode 10x21: June 22, 2012 (Jun 22, 2012)
Jimmy Kimmel Live (2003)
Guest starring as Kirk Douglas
- Episode 2007-09-04: Kirk Douglas, Terrell Owens, Gogol Bordello (Sep 4, 2007)
Clive Anderson All Talk (1996)
Guest starring as Kirk Douglas
- Episode 4x04: Vic Reeves, Kirk Douglas (Sep 23, 1999)
Late Night with Conan O'Brien (1993)
Guest starring as Kirk Douglas
- Episode 1997-09-16: Kirk Douglas, Gabrielle Reece, James Taylor (Sep 16, 1997)
The Simpsons (1989)
Guest starring as Chester J. Lampwick
- Episode 7x18: The Day the Violence Died (Mar 17, 1996)
Coach (1989)
Guest starring as Kirk Douglas
- Episode 7x12: The Popcorn Bowl (Dec 12, 1994) [Uncredited]
Saturday Night Live (1975)
Guest starring as Kirk Douglas
- Episode 5x12: Kirk Douglas / Sam & Dave (Feb 23, 1980)
People's Choice Awards (1975)
Guest starring as Kirk Douglas
(3 episodes)
- Episode 1988-03-13: The 14th Annual People's Choice Awards (Mar 13, 1988)
- Episode 1983-03-17: The 9th Annual People's Choice Awards (Mar 17, 1983)
- Episode 1976-02-19: The 2nd Annual People's Choice Awards (Feb 19, 1976)
AFI Life Achievement Award (1973)
Guest starring as Kirk Douglas
(2 episodes)
- Episode 2015-06-13: A Tribute to Steve Martin (Jun 13, 2015)
- Episode 1991-03-07: A Tribute to Kirk Douglas (Mar 7, 1991)
Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In (1967)
Guest starring as Kirk Douglas
- Episode 2x04: Robert Culp, Arlene Dahl, Kirk Douglas, Lena Horne, Liberace, France Nuyen, Otto Preminger, Sonny Tufts, Flip Wilson, Catherine Reid (Oct 7, 1968) [Uncredited]
The Lucy Show (1962)
Guest starring as Kirk Douglas
- Episode 4x20: Lucy Goes to a Hollywood Premiere (Feb 7, 1966)
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962)
Guest starring as Kirk Douglas
(4 episodes)
- Episode 1990-08-06: Jay Leno (guest host), Kirk Douglas, Willy T. Ribbs, Taylor Danne (Aug 6, 1990)
- Episode 1990-06-15: Super Dave Osborne, Kirk Douglas (Jun 15, 1990)
- Episode 1988-12-05: Jay Leno (guest host), Kirk Douglas, Paula Poundstone, Eva Marie Saint, Linda Hopkins (Dec 5, 1988)
- Episode 1988-08-31: Kirk Douglas, Ritch Shydner, The Temptations (Aug 31, 1988)
The Mike Douglas Show (1961)
Guest starring as Kirk Douglas
(5 episodes)
- Episode 17x135: Apr. 5, 1978 (Apr 5, 1978)
- Episode 15x181: May 31, 1976 (May 31, 1976)
- Episode 15x95: Jan. 26, 1976 (Jan 26, 1976)
- Episode 14x195: June 20, 1975 (Jun 20, 1975)
- Episode 14x191: Jun 16, 1975 (Jun 16, 1975)
Tonight Starring Jack Paar (1957)
Guest starring as Kirk Douglas
- Episode 1962-04-06: Apr 6, 1962 (Apr 6, 1962)
Tony Awards (1957)
Guest starring as Presenter
- Episode 1967-03-26: The 21st Annual Tony Awards (Mar 26, 1967)
Oscars (1953)
Guest starring as Kirk Douglas
(10 episodes)
- Episode 2011-02-27: The 83rd Annual Academy Awards (Feb 27, 2011)
- Episode 2003-03-23: The 75th Annual Academy Awards (Mar 23, 2003)
- Episode 1994-03-21: The 66th Annual Academy Awards (Mar 21, 1994)
- Episode 1985-03-25: The 57th Annual Academy Awards (Mar 25, 1985)
- Episode 1980-04-14: The 52nd Annual Academy Awards (Apr 14, 1980)
- Episode 1978-04-03: The 50th Annual Academy Awards (Apr 3, 1978)
- Episode 1959-04-06: The 31st Annual Academy Awards (Apr 6, 1959)
- Episode 1958-03-26: The 30th Annual Academy Awards (Mar 26, 1958)
- Episode 1957-03-27: The 29th Annual Academy Awards (Mar 27, 1957)
- Episode 1954-03-25: The 26th Annual Academy Awards (Mar 25, 1954)
The Jack Benny Program (1950)
Guest starring as Kirk
- Episode 5x02: Jam Session at Jack's (Oct 17, 1954)
The Colgate Comedy Hour (1950)
Guest starring as Kirk Douglas
- Episode 2x21: Jan 20, 1952 (Jan 20, 1952)
What's My Line? (1950)
Guest starring as Kirk Douglas
- Episode 12x05: Kirk Douglas & Mickey Rooney (Oct 2, 1960)
The Ed Sullivan Show (1948)
Guest starring as Kirk Douglas
- Episode 19x28: Debbie Reynolds; Kirk Douglas; Cilla Black; Ed Ames (Mar 27, 1966)
Golden Globe Awards (1944)
Guest starring as Kirk Douglas
(2 episodes)
- Episode 2018-01-07: The 75th Annual Golden Globe Awards 2018 (Jan 7, 2018)
- Episode 1986-01-24: The 43rd Annual Golden Globe Awards 1986 (Jan 24, 1986)