Kirk Douglas was born Issur Danielovitch on the 9th of December 1916, in Amsterdam, New York. He grew up as the fourth of seven children and the only son of Russian-Jewish immigrants Bryna and Herschel Danielovitch.
Bryna Productions began producing films such as Paths of Glory released in 1957 and Spartacus released in 1960. The company also produced Lonely Are the Brave released in 1962 and Seven Days in May released in 1964 opposite Burt Lancaster whom he made seven films with.
Douglas insisted on giving Dalton Trumbo an official on-screen credit for Spartacus thereby helping to break the Hollywood blacklist. He later stated that breaking the blacklist was the thing he is most proud of despite disputes from other producers.
He died at home in Beverly Hills California surrounded by family on the 5th of February 2020 at age 103. His funeral held at Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery on the 7th of February 2020 buried same plot as son Eric.
Kirk Douglas received Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Jimmy Carter in 1981 for goodwill ambassador work traveling more than 40 countries speaking about democracy and freedom. Carter said Douglas did this sacrificial way almost invariably without fanfare claiming no personal credit.