RIP Kirk Douglas

1916-2020

Kirk Douglas (born Issur Danielovitch) was an actor, producer, director and author. After an impoverished childhood with immigrant parents and six sisters, he made his film debut in 1946.  He went on to become one of Hollywood’s most enduring and popular actors, earning three Oscar nominations and receiving an honorary Oscar in 1996. 

In 1966, he did a cameo as himself on “The Lucy Show” in “Lucy Goes To A Hollywood Premiere” (TLS S4;E20). Douglas was introduced as “The star of two great films: ‘The Heroes of Telemark’ and ‘Cast a Giant Shadow.’”  The Heroes of Telemark was released in the UK in November 1965, but would not premiere in the US for a month after this episode first aired. One month later (March 30, 1966) Cast a Giant Shadow made its debut. 

In the second episode of “Here’s Lucy” in 1968, guest star Jack Benny is using his home as a hotel. Reading off the list of celebrities who have stayed there, Lucy comes to “Mr. and Mrs. Kirk Douglas.”  From 1954, Douglas was married to Anne Buydens, his second wife. 

Dais Duty

In 1978, The American Film Institue (AFI) honored Henry Fonda with tributes from Lucille Ball and Kirk Douglas, among many others. That same year, they were both on hand again to tribute Milton Berle in a televised celebration. And a third time in early 1979 on a Friar’s Club Tribute to Johnny Carson. 

In 1986, at the 38th Annual Emmy Awards, Lucille Ball was a presenter and Clint Eastwood was a nominee for playing the title role in the TV movie Amos.  On January 2, 1988, to celebrate the opening of the Bob Hope Cultural Center at Palm Springs, Ball, Douglas, and dozens of friends offered comedy and musical performances to honor the building’s namesake. Lucille Ball and Kirk Douglas were both long-time residents of Palm Springs.

Kirk Douglas died on February 5, 2020, at the age of 103.