Kirk Douglas Family Tree: The Story Behind Spartacus

Issur Danielovitch (1916–2020), known as Kirk Douglas, born 9 December 1916 in Amsterdam, New York, USA, and died 5 February 2020 in Beverly Hills, was Hollywood's most-iconic strongman — Champion (1949), Lust for Life (1956), Paths of Glory (1957), Spartacus (1960) as producer-star (broke Hollywood blacklist by crediting Dalton Trumbo); 3 Best Actor Oscar nominations; Honorary Academy Award (1996); Presidential Medal of Freedom (1981).

The Family's Roots: A Russian-Jewish Immigrant Family

Parents were poor Jewish immigrants from Chavusy, Belarus.

His Parents

Father: Herschel Danielovitch (1884–1950) — Russian-Jewish immigrant ragman.

Mother: Bryna Sanglel Danielovitch (1884–1978).

His Sisters

Kirk had 6 sisters (7 children total in the family; Kirk was the only son).

His Wives

Diana Dill (m. 2 November 1943, div. 1951) — Bermudian actress.

Anne Buydens (m. 29 May 1954, until his death 2020) — German-American producer; 66-year marriage.

His Sons (with Diana)

Michael Douglas, born 25 September 1944 — Academy Award Best Actor (Wall Street 1987) and producer.

Joel Douglas, born 23 January 1947 — producer.

His Sons (with Anne)

Peter Douglas, born 23 November 1955 — producer.

Eric Douglas (1958–2004) — actor.

The Douglas Family Tree at a Glance

Father: Herschel Danielovitch (1884–1950).

Mother: Bryna Sanglel Danielovitch (1884–1978).

Sisters: 6.

Wives: Diana Dill (1943-51); Anne Buydens (1954-death — 66 years).

Sons: Michael (b. 25 September 1944) — Oscar winner; Joel (b. 23 January 1947); Peter (b. 23 November 1955); Eric (1958–2004).

Kirk Douglas:

  • Born 9 December 1916, Amsterdam, NY
  • St Lawrence University wrestling scholarship
  • WWII US Navy 1941-1944
  • The Strange Love of Martha Ivers (1946) — Hollywood debut
  • Spartacus (1960): broke Hollywood blacklist by publicly crediting Dalton Trumbo
  • Died: 5 February 2020, Beverly Hills — age 103

What the Douglas Family Story Teaches Us

Russian-Jewish immigrant parents. 6 sisters (Kirk the only son). Two marriages, the second lasting 66 years. Four sons including Oscar-winner Michael Douglas. A career of 100 films that broke the Hollywood blacklist and lived to 103.

For every family — large or small, famous or otherwise — the Kirk story carries the same lesson. Some careers cross an immigrant-poverty childhood to 103 years and a family Hollywood dynasty.

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