Actor son Michael Douglas took to Instagram to make the announcement saying, "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."
He went on to say, "But to me and my brothers Joel and Peter he was simply Dad, to Catherine, a wonderful father-in-law, to his grandchildren and great grandchild their loving grandfather, and to his wife Anne, a wonderful husband. 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. Let me end with the words I told him on his last birthday and which will always remain true. Dad- I love you so much and I am so proud to be your son. #KirkDouglas"
Douglas was born Issur Danielovitch Demsky on Dec. 9, 1916. He was the child of Russian Jewish immigrants in Amsterdam, NY. His first major role was in 1949's "Champion", for which he earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. He went on to play many roles, but none as iconic as 1960's "Spartacus". He was truly the last leading man left from the Golden Age of Hollywood. He was the recipient of three Academy Award nominations, an Oscar for Lifetime Achievement, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Douglas is survived by his wife, Anne Buydens and children Michael, Joel, and Peter. He was predeceased by his son Eric, in 2004.
