Film · Military · Music · 1916–2020
Born: 9 December 1916 · Died: 5 February 2020 · Age at death: 103
Kirk Douglas died aged 103. He was born on 9 December 1916 and died on 5 February 2020.
Hollywood legend known for his starring role in Spartacus
Did you know?He helped end the Hollywood blacklist by insisting that the formerly banned writer Dalton Trumbo received full screen credit.
Kirk Douglas brought raw intensity to the screen, often playing driven or tormented men. He was also a pioneering producer who took control of his own films. By putting Dalton Trumbo's real name on Spartacus, he helped end the blacklist. It had barred left-wing writers from work. After a stroke he learned to speak again. He continued to write books and give to charity. His son Michael followed him into film stardom.
Kirk Douglas (born Issur Danielovitch; December 9, 1916 – February 5, 2020) was an American actor and filmmaker. After an impoverished childhood, he made his film debut in The Strange Love of Martha Ivers (1946) with Barbara Stanwyck.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Profile
American actor, born 1916
Kirk Douglas was born in Amsterdam on 9 December 1916.
He starred in Spartacus in 1960.
He helped break the Hollywood blacklist by crediting Dalton Trumbo.
He lived to 103.
Career highlights
Did you know?He was born Issur Danielovitch to poor Jewish immigrants.
Questions people ask
1608–1674
1842–1921
1868–1934
b. 1954
b. 1934
b. 1946Missing someone? Suggest them
1878–1953
1770–1827
1815–1852
1874–1965A newspaper from their birth date
The front page from the day they were born, a classic keepsake.
Shop on AmazonSagittarius zodiac gifts
Jewellery, prints and candles for the Sagittarius in your life.
Shop on EtsyStar map of December 9
A custom print of the night sky on their birthday.
Shop on EtsyMilestone birthday gifts
Ideas for 18th, 30th, 40th, 50th and beyond.
Shop on AmazonWe may earn a small commission from purchases, at no extra cost to you.
Reviewed by the Who Shares My Birthday editorial team.
Last reviewed: October 2026