Kirk Douglas helped end Hollywood blacklist

Born Issur Danielovitch, the only son of seven children of illiterate Russian-Jewish immigrant parents, Kirk Douglas became a film icon and maverick producer who helped end the Hollywood blacklist. He has died at 103.

Kirk Douglas in a scene from 'The Man From Snowy River' in 1982. Douglas, who continued to act occasionally after overcoming a stroke in 1996 that impaired his speech, died on Wednesday.

Dennis McLellan

Feb 6, 2020 – 1.24pm

Email LinkedIn Twitter Facebook

Subscribe to gift this article

Gift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe.

Subscribe now

Already a subscriber?

Kirk Douglas, the dimple-chinned screen icon who was known for bringing an explosive, clenched-jawed intensity to a memorable array of heroes and heels in films such as Spartacus and Champion and for playing an off-screen role as a maverick independent producer who helped end the Hollywood blacklist, has died. He was 103.

Douglas, who continued to act occasionally after overcoming a stroke in 1996 that impaired his speech, died on Wednesday, People magazine reported.

MCT