Top 10 Iconic Movies of Late Legend Kirk Douglas

Here’s a list of the top 10 iconic movies starring late legend Kirk Douglas

Hollywood icon and three-time Oscar-winning legend Kirk Douglas passes away at the age of 103.

Douglas is also a recipient of an honorary Oscar, American Film Institute life achievement award, Kennedy Center Honors, Cecil B. DeMille Award at the Golden Globes, Screen Actors Guild life achievement award and National Medal of Arts.

Douglas was born in 1916 and served in the Navy during WWII before beginning his acting career. He debuted with a small role in “The Strange Love of Martha Ivers” (1946) and was nominated for Best Actor for Mark Robson‘s boxing drama “Champion” (1949) only three years after his debut. He received praise for his work with director Vincent Minnelli’s  “The Bad and the Beautiful” (1952) which was Hollywood’s first melodrama and Vincent Van Gogh biopic “Lust for Life” (1956), which won him awards at the Golden Globes and New York Film Critics Circle.

Douglas didn’t just stick to the big screen. He acted in small screen projects and was also nominated for Emmys for “Amos” (Best Movie/Mini Actor in 1986), “Tales from the Crypt” (Best Drama Actor in 1992) and “Touched by an Angel” (Best Drama Guest Actor in 2000).

Douglas’s son, Michael Douglas also turned out to be a superstar like his father and went on to win Oscars for producing “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” (1975). He even acted in “Wall Street” (1987). The two, however, weren’t seen professionally together apart from in “It Runs in the Family” (2003). The father/son duo presented the Best Picture Oscar to “Chicago” in 2002.

Here’s a list of the top 10 iconic movies starring Kirk Douglas:

Out of the Past (1947)

Director Jacques Tourneur

A private eye escapes his past to run a gas station in a small town, but his past catches up with him. Kirk Douglas plays the role of Whit Sterling.

Champion (1949)

Director Mark Robson

Midge Kelly is thrown into a pro boxing match and is severely beaten. Midge’s life completely changes when he meets Emma and they get married and he ends up becoming a boxing champion. Kirk Douglas plays the role of Midge Kelly.

The Bad and the Beautiful (1952)

Director Vincente Minnelli

Unscrupulous movie producer Jonathan Shields is a child of Hollywood who ruthlessly toils his way to the top of the studio system. Kirk Douglas plays the roles of Jonathan Shields.

Ace in the Hole (1951)

Director Billy Wilder

With flaws that outweigh his talent, reporter Chuck Tatum has bounced across the country from job to job. Winding up in New Mexico, Tatum gets work from the local newspaper, but finds that there’s not much in the way of pressing news. Kirk Douglas plays the role of Chuck Tatum.

Gunfight at the O.K. Corral (1957)

Director John Sturges

An unlikely pact between a deputy federal marshal and an outlaw leads up to one of the most famous gunfights in the old west. Kirk Douglas plays the role of Doc Holliday.

Paths of Glory (1957)

Director Stanley Kubrick

General Mireau decides to take on an impossible mission to capture a German post. However, when his men decide to back out from the mission he insults them. Kirk Douglas plays the role of Col. Dax.

Spartacus (1960)

Director Stanley Kubrick

The rebellious Thracian Spartacus, born and raised a slave, is sold to Gladiator trainer Batiatus. Kirk Douglas plays the role of Spartacus.

Lonely Are the Brave (1962)

Director David Miller

Ranch hand Jack Burns feels out of place in the modern world. Kirk Douglas plays the role of Jack Burns.

Two Weeks in Another Town (1962)

Director Vincente Minnelli

An expose of the dark side of Hollywood, with Douglas as the washed up star trying to make a comeback through director Robinson’s latest ‘cheapie’ production. Kirk Douglas plays the role of Jack Andrus.

Seven Days in May (1964)

Director John Frankenheimer

US military leaders plot to overthrow the President because he supports a nuclear demilitarization treaty and they fear a Soviet sneak attack. Kirk Douglas plays the role of Martin Casey.