Kirk Douglas, known for his roles in “Spartacus” and “The Bad and the Beautiful,” has died at age 103 Wednesday, according to a statement from his son, famed actor Michael Douglas.
The legendary thespian, who appeared in films across seven decades, had experienced declining health since suffering a stroke in 1996.
In a statement, Michael Douglas spoke of his father’s impact on the acting industry as well as his heart for humanity:
"It is with tremendous sadness that my brothers and I announce that Kirk Douglas left us today at the age of 103. 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." -- Michael Douglas
Douglas goes on to say that despite his father’s larger-than-life screen presence, he and his brothers, Joel and Peter, just knew him as “Dad,” while his surviving wife Anne knew him as a “wonderful husband.”
Kirk Douglas appeared in a variety of movies and television shows during his prolific career. His charismatic screen presence was recognized by the American Film Institute, which listed Douglas as No. 17 on its list of the greatest male screen legends in American film history.
Despite his health woes, Douglas continued acting in a number of television movies, including his last small-screen appearance in “Empire State Building Murders” in 2008.
“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,” Michael Douglas wrote in his Instagram post Wednesday, which was complemented by photos of his dad through the years.
The tributes came swiftly once Douglas’ passing became known to fellow actors, directors and fans.
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