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    Actor And Philanthropist, Kirk Douglas, Passes Away At 103

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    Kirk Douglas Spartacus

    Today, we lost an icon of the film industry. Kirk Douglas, legendary actor with such famous roles in amazing films such as Spartacus and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, has passed away at the age of 103. The multi-time Academy Award nominated actor had a long and lustrous career, but it was his philanthropy and charitable work that is most amazing.

    Michael Douglas, the Oscar winning actor, Marvel Cinematic Universe star, and son of Kirk, posted on his Instagram about his father’s passing.

    “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.”

     

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    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. 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

    A post shared by Michael Douglas (@michaelkirkdouglas) on


    Kirk’s daughter in-law, fellow actress Catherine Zeta-Jones, also posted a loving tribute on her Instagram page.

    “To my darling Kirk, I shall love you for the rest of my life. I miss you already. Sleep tight…”

     

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    To my darling Kirk, I shall love you for the rest of my life. I miss you already. Sleep tight…

    A post shared by Catherine Zeta-Jones (@catherinezetajones) on


    While many know of Kirk’s acting contributions, his work in defending blacklisted workers in Hollywood during the Cold War propaganda era, known as the ‘Hollywood Ten’, and his charitable actions awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Jimmy Carter in 1981. And, while the actor will live on forever in his vast library of films, it is his work in these endeavors that will truly immortalize the man.

    103 years old is nothing to scoff at. It’s an impressive feat to live so long, even in this day and age. Kirk Douglas has lived through so many major historical events – The Great Depression, both World Wars, the Vietnam War, two presidential impeachments and one resignation, and an exponential increase in technology that no other era in human history has ever seen. And, through all of that, he was able to live his dream and help tons of people along the way. Godspeed, Kirk Douglas. You will be missed.

    What is your favorite Kirk Douglas movie? Let us know in the comments below!