Kirk Douglas has died at the age of 103. He was one of the last of the stars of Hollywood’s Golden Age. Here are seven Jewish facts about Douglas and his star-studded career.
Jewish Childhood
Kirk Douglas was born with the name Issur Danielovitch. His parents Herschel and Byrna immigrated from Russia to the United States, in part so that Douglas’ father could escape forced servitude in the Czar’s army. The family settled in the small town of Amsterdam in upstate New York, near Albany. Douglas was one of seven children and the only boy, born December 9, 1916. He and his sisters grew up speaking Yiddish at home.
Textile mills were the town’s main employers, but they refused to hire Jews. Douglas’ father worked as a ragman, buying and selling scraps of cloth. “Even on Eagle Street, in the poorest part of town, where all the families were struggling,” Douglas later recalled, “the ragman was on the lowest rung on the ladder… And I was the ragman’s son.”
Despite his family’s poverty, Douglas recalled that they always tried to help those in need. “Sometimes we didn’t have enough to eat, but very often there would be a knock at the door and it would be hobo wanting food, and my mother always gave them something,” he recalled. “My mother said to me, ‘You must take care of other people.’ That stayed with me.”
Douglas picked up spare jobs while he was still in school; he estimated that he probably worked about 40 jobs before going away to college. Anti-Semitism was a constant threat. “Kids on every street corner beat you up,” he remembered. He was so bright that members of Amsterdam’s small and impoverished Jewish community considered pooling their resources to send Douglas to rabbinical school, but Douglas refused. “I wanted to be an actor ever since I was a kid in the second grade” Douglas later explained.
First Jewish Student Body President
After high school, Douglas hitchhiked to Canton, New York, where he took out a loan to attend St. Lawrence College. Douglas discovered acting in college, working in regional theatre. During the school year, he was a star wrestler – but was rejected by college fraternities because he was Jewish. Douglas eventually became Student Body President, the first time a Jew held that position at Sarah Lawrence College.
Byrna Productions
Douglas soon found fame in Hollywood. His first big break was the 1946 classic The Strange Love of Martha Ivers, in which he played a weakling who witnesses a murder. In his heyday, Douglas appeared in up to three movies a year, often with some of the biggest names in Hollywood.
Douglas in Paths of Glory
In 1955, he set up his own production company, naming it Byrna Productions after his mother. Byrna Productions produced some of Douglas’ most well-received movies, including Paths of Glory (1957), Spartacus (1960) and Seven Days in May (1964). “When I think of my mother, who couldn’t read or write, a legal peasant from Russia,” Douglas later mused to a Hollywood Reporter journalist before breaking into a grin and sharing a fond memory, “I took her in a limousine to Times Square, and I stopped the car, and I said (gesturing towards a massive billboard above), ‘See Ma? BYRNA PRESENTS THE VIKINGS! And my mother said, ‘America – such a wonderful land!’”
Leading Philanthropist
Douglas and his second wife Anne became one of Hollywood’s leading philanthropic couples, establishing the Douglas Foundation, and donating a total of about $100 million to charitable causes. Beneficiaries include playgrounds in poor areas of Los Angeles and Jerusalem, synagogues, and the Kirk Douglas Theatre at Aish HaTorah in Jerusalem, which provides visitors to the holy city with educational films about Jews and Judaism.
Embracing Jewish Study
For much of his life, Douglas was not religiously observant. Neither his first wife Diana Dill nor his second wife Anne Buydens were Jewish, and for many years Douglas seemed not to ponder his Jewish identity – though he did always make a point to fast on Yom Kippur each year.
That changed in 1991, when he was seriously injured in a helicopter crash. Two younger men died and Douglas was left with serious back injuries: his spine was compressed three inches in the trauma. As he lay in terrible pain in the hospital, Douglas began to think about what his life was all about. The meaning he was searching for, he thought, seemed to be in Judaism. “I came to believe that I was spared because I had never come to grips with what it means to be Jewish” he later explained.
Douglas began studying Torah, and even held a second celebration of his bar mitzvah – at the age of 83.
Jewish Author
In addition to his stellar acting career, Douglas also worked as an author, penning twelve books (one co-authored with his wife Anne), including some on Jewish themes. In 1997, Douglas published The Broken Mirror, a novel about the Holocaust aimed at younger readers. He followed that up in 1999 with Young Heroes of the Bible, which re-tells stories from the Five Books of Moses for children.
Son Rediscovering Jewish Heritage
Kirk Douglas’ son Michael has publicly spoken out about his connection with his Jewish heritage. In 2015, he wrote about a terrible experience his son Dylan had while on vacation in Spain: a fellow hotel guest, spying the Jewish star that Dylan was wearing, started yelling at the boy. Michael confronted the man, pointing out why it was wrong to attack a child sporting a Jewish symbol. “Afterward,” he recalled, “I sat down with my son and said: ‘Dylan, you just had your first taste of anti-Semitism.’”
Kirk Douglas with Rabbi Noah Weinberg, dedicating the Kirk Douglas Theater in Jerusalem
“With little knowledge of what it means to be a Jew,” Michael wrote about himself when he was a child, “I found myself passionately defending the Jewish people. Now...I have to defend my son. Anti-Semitism, I’ve seen, is like a disease that goes dormant, flaring up with the next political trigger.”
In 2015, Michael Douglas was awarded the Genesis Prize in Jerusalem. Sometimes called the “Jewish Nobel Prize”, the award came with a cash prize, which Michael donated to the Jewish Funders’ Network and to Hillel International, the Foundation for Jewish Campus Life. As he accepted the award, Michael referred to his father Kirk, then 97, sitting in the audience. Speaking of his love of his Jewish heritage, Michael noted that it “is as deep as my genes” from his beloved father.
After Kirk Douglas’ death was announced on February 5, 2020, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke for many when he said “Israel mourns the loss of Kirk Douglas, a legendary actor, a proud Jew and a great friend of the Jewish state.” The entire Jewish world mourns Douglas, a talented actor who wasn’t afraid to begin exploring what it meant to be Jewish, even later on in life.
(30) Anonymous, June 21, 2020 8:39 PM
God bless him for returning to the Lord's known chosen ones!. Amen
(29) TED BERNSTEIN, February 17, 2020 11:26 PM
TOO FEW MEN OF THIS CALIBER ARE RECOGNIZED-GOD BLESS
My belief is that every generation of Jews produces an unusual special group of men that keep the strength of Judaism alive. Mr. Douglas reminded me of my uncle Jerome who dedicated to over 50 charities, went to synagogue every week,celebrated every Holy Holiday married once in his life, took care of his wife after she had a stroke and lived 10 years WITH HIM, because of the love he gave to her. He never had a bad word to say about anyone. Mr. Douglas and my Uncle Jerome Reiter were TZADICKS.
My uncle passed at 94, much to soon.
(28) Anonymous, February 12, 2020 12:18 AM
As he married non Jewish women, unfortunately his son is not Jewish
His son was born from a gentile woman, so unfortunately Kirk’s son is not Jewish, so there is no point in his keeping any Mitzvos.
(27) Stephen, February 11, 2020 8:47 PM
Great actor great person
I grew up watching him on the black&white tube tv with Mom and Dad I believe it was Spartacus He just had a way to think you were there standing behind him on tv and he was going lead you through.
(26) avrum Ashery, February 10, 2020 3:03 PM
some lessons learned from his life
As we study Kirks life, we now learn that he missed a basic good jewish education when a young man since there was little as a boy. With a good Jewish academic background, he would not have drew his Jewish pride on his unfortunate anti-Jewish experiences but rather the positive ones which he learned much later in life. From our Jewish education, we then would be able to answer the many questions non-Jews and even Jews have, filing their minds with the right knowledge thus blocking all the hateful ideas would like to pour into the unknowing heads of good people. AS to Kirk, better late then never and my hope is that his son and grandson understand that Jewish education really only starts at bar mitzvah and does not end there.
My wife, Susan coming from Albany on sycamore st,. remembers seeing Kirk coming to visit his mother down the block.
(25) Anonymous, February 9, 2020 9:25 PM
I always loved Kirk Douglas even without this information, but now I’m so proud too.
This adds to the pride I feel in being Jewish. Thank you Michael for carrying on your dad’s legacy.
(24) Saul P Heller, February 9, 2020 9:20 PM
What is this thing called Jewish
I love being a Jew and everything that it stands for ! I duvanend as a Chazan for 5 years on the High Holidays until I felt like a Fraud because I am not Religious yet it was the highlight of my life as my Mother kvelled as a congregant ! It's a feeling of belonging to a culture unlike any other taking pride in all of the accomplishments of Am Yisroel and hurting at her failures . To be A Jew is the best feeling in the world !
(23) Shelley, February 9, 2020 3:43 PM
Isn't his mother's name Bryna?
Bryna, not Byrna, if I'm not mistaken.
(22) Nita Moss, February 9, 2020 3:24 PM
Glad to know he was such a charitable person.
(21) Andy Schwartz, February 9, 2020 3:18 PM
Cast a giant shadow
I remember Kirk Douglas in the picture "Cast A Giant Shadow". His career as an actor and later in life when he discovered his Jewish life tells me he was a giant. May his memory be for a blessing.
(20) Arlene Ross, February 9, 2020 3:09 PM
No Jewish progeny
Very sad that Kirk Douglas didn’t connect with his Jewish heritage earlier in his life. Now, he has no Jewish progeny. Tragic.
(19) Ian K Woolfson, February 9, 2020 2:51 PM
wonderful person
suggest an easy read 'the ragmans son' his autobiography. Some interesting comments about people he knew.
He enlisted in the armed forces after graduating college during ww2.
Guy was a real mensche.
I recall a movie he was in that one scene had him seated in a restaurant in Cesarea with the Mediterranean Sea in the background. He was very proud of his Jewish heritage
(18) Sunarto Hariman, February 9, 2020 2:44 PM
Good to know
To understanding choosen generation of God
(17) Annie, February 8, 2020 11:55 PM
A good man.
Thank you, Kirk Douglas.
(16) Janice Rappaport, February 8, 2020 7:13 PM
article of a great man
what a beautiful article.it gave me great insight into a great man.
thank you so much.
(15) Sylvie Chisholm, February 8, 2020 5:51 PM
Very good knowing about his life as Jew. Very sorry for a list of a great men.
(14) H.E.Brown, February 7, 2020 7:13 PM
Anti-Semitism
I just don't get i it. Why there is Anit-Semitism. Thanks for telling us about Kirk Douglas. I didn't know that about him and his family. Thank you for bringing to light these people that are Jewish.
(13) Anonymous, February 7, 2020 2:36 PM
Kirk Douglas
Great article about Mr. Douglas. However, one small mistake where his alma mater was referred to as Sarah Lawrence rather than St. Lawrence. Also, he was not only a wrestler and student body president--he donated the Kirk Douglas Residence Hall on the campus.
(12) Mordechai B., February 7, 2020 10:40 AM
Michael Douglas not Jewish
Dr. Yvette Miller under the subtitle "Son Rediscovering Jewish Heritage." quotes Michael Douglas that it "“is as deep as my genes” from his beloved father." Halacha says otherwise. One can't be a half Jew, as Jewish identity comes solely from the mother. Unfortunately, Kirk Douglas, of blessed memory, left no Jewish posterity.
Cheryl, February 8, 2020 2:48 AM
Your comment is a slap in the face; not just to the Douglas family but to people all over the world who consider themselves to be Jewish.
Ed, February 8, 2020 8:34 PM
Slap in the face?
As much as i consider myself an astronaut, if im not one, then im not!
Considering oneself jewish may be very warm and fuzzy but that isnt the deciding factor.
G-d gave rules. We may not understand or like them (although if we actually apply ourselves and act with humility we'll achieve both) but the rules remain regardless.
Anonymous, February 10, 2020 4:15 PM
Truth is not a "slap in the face".
Cheryl --
The "Orthodox Jewish Law" is the Law that the Jewish People followed for over a thousand years -- until the "Leaders" and "Rabbis" who called themselves "Reform" decided to present Judaism as nothing more than a "feel good club". A "club" where you can do whatever you want and what ever pleases you. Judaism is MUCH more than that -- it is a NATION with a rigorous commitment to serving G-d as commanded in the Torah and explained based upon an Oral Tradition that goes "all the way back". Just as any nation has "rules for citizenship", so is the case with Judaism. In Judaism, citizenship is passed THROUGH THE MOTHER -- regardless of what one feels. Similarly, one can become a"naturalized citizen" of the United States by taking an Oath of Allegiance. Just because one "feels" like being a U.S. citizen -- does NOT make that person a citizen. Since Kirk Douglas married non-Jewish women, his children from them are NOT "born Jews". At best, they could be righteous Noahides -- but they are NOT Jewish -- regardless of how they "feel". Of course, they have the option to CONVERT and thus become "naturalized citizens" of the Jewish People -- with all the "rights and obligations" of the rest of the Jewish Nation. What is TRULY sad is that those people who "consider themselves Jewish" have been utterly misled and deceived by the "Rabbis" and "Leaders" who have abrogated Torah and substituted their own personal "beliefs". Those who truly wish to be Jewish should be encouraged to convert "properly" and those who have no intention of observing the Torah should be told that there is NOTHING WRONG with that -- since they are not Jewish, anyway.
LarryB, February 8, 2020 3:38 PM
Convert
He can convert.
(11) Roger Gaon, February 7, 2020 9:48 AM
A wonderful man Actor and philanthropist
Kirk was Spartacus. And always will be. Rest In Peace.
(10) Judy R., February 7, 2020 5:29 AM
Kirk Douglas facts
Kirk Douglas in the end of his life embraced his Judaism, also he did good deeds and gave charity to good causes. One of the movies he starred in was "Cast A Giant Shadow" about the fight between Israel and the Arab countries in 1948 war, a true story about Micky Marcus, that is a important movie about Israel becoming a state for the Jews in 1948. Even though he intermarried he was proud of being Jewish, and talked about antisemitism and experienced it in his life, and his kids and grandkids experienced it even though they are not really Jewish according to orthodox Jews laws, Kirk Douglas changed his name like a lot of Jewish actors did, a long time ago, maybe because antisemitism actors changed their names to names that sounded less Jewish. Also, Kirk Douglas wrote a lot of books some had to do with Judaism and the Holocaust I think, and he did repentance and lived a long full life, BDE and RIP, so a person with a good heart and soul, that did good things even though he intermarried still tried to be Jewish and support Jewish causes and house of worship and your organization too. So now his memory should be a blessing!! So a legendary actor is a star in the sky now(so to speak)!!
(9) Alta Christopher, February 7, 2020 2:46 AM
I truly enjoyed reading about the many facets of Kirk Douglas.
Thank you so much for adding more depth to someone I have admired through my parents’ expression of his great talent as an actor. Alta
(8) Eny Patrickson, February 6, 2020 10:26 PM
It was very nice to read it!
(7) Anonymous, February 6, 2020 9:20 PM
Very proud of the Danielovitch family!
Jewish conscience and pride followed the Danielovitch family and I am so proud of the entire family! A great Jewish man proud of his Jewish heritage till the end of his life here on planet earth. God keeps him in his glory!
(6) Herbert Ausubel, February 6, 2020 9:14 PM
I am a Jew who never denied his Jewish heritage.
I was born in my parent's apartment. They couldn't afford a hospital. But I knew I was a Jew and that by the sweat of my brow shall I need bread. I am a graduate of Harvard Medical School still practicing medicine at the age of 90. But I clearly point out to my patients that I am a Jew and then point out to each of them what the Jewish people have done for the world despite all the persecution they have endured.
Now read my books collectively titled "The Other Guests: Chronicles of a People"
(5) Laura, February 6, 2020 7:24 PM
Kirk Douglas
Like many Hollywood liberal Jews, politics is their religion. Their Jewishness is put on hold. It's nice to know that Mr. Douglas recognized his heritage eventually. May his soul be bound in the bond of eternal life.
(4) William Papèt, February 6, 2020 5:33 PM
A Jewish Hero has died.
Kirk Douglas was a great man, a great Jew and a passionate humanitarian.
A tough guy with a heart of compassion. He will continue to be a role model for Jews the world over.
(3) Tova saul, February 6, 2020 4:47 PM
Missing link
https://www.aish.com/sp/so/Touching_Bedrock.html
(2) Devorah Mei Snidecor, February 6, 2020 2:50 PM
Hashem never allows a Jew to die withhout doing Teshuva .
BH
As we see once more, Hashem never allows a Jew to die without giving it a chance to do Teshuva. Blessed the one who understands and makes use of this last chance to leave this world in peace. Stabach Shmo. What a long, rich and beautiful life this Jew was blessed with. May his soul rest in Peace.
(1) art, February 6, 2020 9:20 AM
extraordinary life
extraordinary life & achievements ..