Hollywood legend Kirk Douglas, whose
acting career spanned seven decades, has died at the age of 103.
Kirk Douglas, a stage and screen
actor, was well-known for a range of roles, including the 1960 classic
Spartacus, in which he played the titular character.
Born in New York in 1916, Kirk
Douglas rose to prominence during Hollywood’s “golden age”, earning
his first Oscar nomination for the 1949 film
Champion.
The legendary actor was also the father of Oscar-winning actor Michael Douglas.
Michael Douglas said in a statement:
“It is with tremendous sadness that my
brothers and I announce that Kirk Douglas left us today.”
“To the world, he was a legend, an actor from the
golden age of movies… but to me and my brothers Joel and Peter he was simply
Dad,” the statement read.
“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.”
Michael Douglas’s wife and Kirk’s
daughter-in-law, Welsh actress Catherine Zeta Jones, posted a photo of the two
together, writing: “I shall love you
for the rest of my life. I miss you already.”
Kirk Douglas was prolific as a film actor, with more than 90 credits to his
name – ranging from the 1940s to the 2000s.
He is perhaps best-known for Spartacus,
a Stanley Kubrick film which won four Oscars and was so popular that its iconic
“I am Spartacus” scene entered the pop cultural lexicon.
Kirk Douglas was himself nominated for an Oscar three times – for Champion (1949), The Bad and the Beautiful (1952), and Lust for Life (1956). He eventually won the honorary award in 1996
in recognition of his 50 years in the industry.
The actor faced difficulties in his personal life. He narrowly survived a
helicopter crash in 1991 that left two people dead. Five years later, he
suffered a major stroke that affected his speech.
In 2004, his son Eric died at the age of 46 of an accidental drug overdose.
In his later years, Kirk Douglas turned his attention to charity. He donated millions of dollars to charitable causes and helped fund an Alzheimer’s unit at a retirement home in Los Angeles.
Tom Courtenay, Bill Nighy, Michael Gambon and Toby Jones are among the stars who will appear in a big-screen remake of classic sitcom Dad’s Army.
Toby Jones will star as Captain Mainwaring, Bill Nighy will appear as Sergeant Wilson and Tom Courtenay will play Corporal Jones.
Michael Gambon will fill the role of Private Godfrey and there will also be roles for Catherine Zeta-Jones, Sarah Lancashire and Mark Gatiss.
The original sitcom followed a hapless World War II Home Guard platoon.
Tom Courtenay, Bill Nighy, Michael Gambon and Toby Jones are among the stars who will appear in a big-screen remake of classic sitcom Dad’s Army
It ran for nine series from 1968 to 1977 and is regarded as one of Britain’s greatest TV comedies.
The story will see Catherine Zeta-Jones play a glamorous journalist sent to report on the Walmington-on-Sea Home Guard before MI5 discovers that there is a German spy in the fictional British town.
The film will be directed by Oliver Parker, who made Johnny English Reborn, St Trinian’s and Othello starring Kenneth Branagh.
The script will be written by Hamish McColl, who wrote Johnny English Reborn and Mr. Bean’s Holiday.
Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones reunited once again.
Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones spent the holidays skiing with their two children on New Year’s Day, just four months after announcing their separation.
Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones spent the holidays skiing with their two children on New Year’s Day
Michael Douglas, winner of the trophy for best actor in a miniseries or movie for playing Liberace in HBO’s Behind The Candelabra, closed his speech with a reference to his son Cameron who is serving a lengthy prison term for various drug crimes.
The actor said he hoped “they allow me to see him soon”.
It came in a no-holds-barred speech, which saw Michael Douglas cover everything from smutty jokes to thanking his wife Catherine Zeta-Jones for “her support”, despite their separation.
Backstage, Michael Douglas explained it will be another year before he can visit 34 year-old Cameron.
“I’m questioning the system,” he said.
Michael Douglas won Emmy award for best actor in a miniseries or movie for playing Liberace in HBO’s Behind The Candelabra
“At first I was certainly disappointed with my son, but I’ve reached a point now where I’m disappointed with the system.”
Cameron Douglas was convicted in 2010 of selling methamphetamine.
A judge nearly doubled his sentence after he was found guilty of repeatedly breaking prison rules by arranging to get drugs.
Cameron Douglas is scheduled for release in 2018.
“If you happen to have a slip, they punish you,” Michael Douglas said.
“In my son’s case, he has spent almost two years in solitary confinement.”
Michael Douglas said he’s optimistic Attorney General Eric Holder might change laws involving non-violent drug offenders.
From the stage, Michael Douglas also thanked his wife, Catherine Zeta-Jones “for your support”.
That was an attention-getter following the announcement last month that the couple was taking “some time apart to evaluate and work on their marriage”.
Catherine Zeta-Jones did not accompany her husband to the Emmys. She was in China this weekend.
Apart from his emotional moments, Michael Douglas also let a few jokes slip out.
“This is a two-hander, and Matt, you’re only as good as your other hand,” he jokes, referring to co-star Matt Damon, who was also nominated for the gong.
“So I can say you were magnificent. You really deserve half of this.
“You want the bottom or the top. The top? I figure that.”
Michael Douglas and co-star Matt Damon also took to the stage during the awards show where they paid tribute to Liberace and introduced a performance by Sir Elton John.
Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta Jones “are taking time apart” after 13 years of marriage, it has been confirmed.
Michael Douglas, 68, and Catherine Zeta Jones, 43, married in 2000 after meeting in France two years earlier.
They have two children – Dylan, 13, and Carys, 10.
The pair have both struggled with health problems in recent years.
Michael Douglas was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2010, while Catherine Zeta Jones sought treatment for bipolar disorder in 2011 and again earlier this year.
The couple share the same birthday, 25 September, and met at the Deauville Film Festival in France in 1998.
Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta Jones had their first child in August 2000, and married three months later in a lavish ceremony at New York’s Plaza hotel, where guests included Goldie Hawn, Christopher Reeve, Jack Nicholson and Brad Pitt.
Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta Jones had their first child in August 2000, and married three months later in a lavish ceremony at New York’s Plaza hotel
OK! magazine paid $1.5 million for exclusive access to photographs of the day, but rival magazine Hello! spoiled the scoop by publishing pictures taken by somebody pretending to be a guest or a waiter.
A long legal battle followed in the UK, with the couple arguing that Hello! Magazine had invaded their privacy.
The case was eventually resolved in 2007, when the House Of Lords ruled Hello! had breached OK!‘s confidentiality.
Prior to the wedding, Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta Jones reportedly signed a pre-nuptial agreement, which entitles Zeta Jones to $1.5 million for every year of their marriage in the event of the relationship coming to an end.
Michael Douglas insisted on the contract after his first wife, Diandra, was awarded $70 million in their divorce.
Speaking to the Mirror earlier this month, Michael Douglas said his biggest regret was not ending his first marriage sooner. He had married Diandra in 1977 and they separated in 1995, but did not file for divorce until 2000.
“I have nothing against her and in fact I’m very fond of my first wife, but we should have ended that marriage eight or 10 years earlier,” Michael Douglas said.
“It took me too long to realize that if you go to a marriage counsellor to resolve problems, it’s in his interest to keep the marriage going.”
In the same interview, Michael Douglas paid tribute to Catherine Zeta Jones, who had given him “this second chance to have a family”.
“The thing I’ve learned about getting older is you can’t take love for granted,” he said.
“You protect it, nurture it and it grows and after one’s initial, physical emotional aspects, it becomes deeper.”
Michael Douglas, whose films include Wall Street and Basic Instinct, recently made his post-cancer return to the big screen playing Liberace in the biopic Behind The Candelabra.
Catherine Zeta Jones, an Oscar-winner for her role in Chicago, is currently starring alongside Helen Mirren and Bruce Willis in popcorn action film Red 2.
After Catherine Zeta-Jones turned up alone to the Red 2 premieres in Los Angeles and New York, the rumor mill went into overdrive that she’s getting a divorce from Michael Douglas after 13 years of marriage.
They’ve overcome Michael Douglas’ stage 4 cancer and her bipolar disorder but apparently they’re now calling it quits.
Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones divorce
“Michael and Catherine’s marriage is effectively over,” one close family insider told Star magazine.
“Michael is going to announce the split soon, but he wants to wait until after the Emmys in September.”
According to this insider: “Catherine is fighting to save the marriage but he’s had it.”
“Michael has been through so much in recent years. he feels that life is too short for all this misery – her wild rages, temper tantrums, mood swings, secret boozing and demanding ways!”
And considering Michael Douglas’ divorce to first wife Diandra in 2000 was one of the most expensive in Hollywood history, his split from Catherine Zeta-Jones could cost a lot of money. Star magazine are putting the couple’s joint worth at a cool $300 million.
Another source said: “It’s been a long, rocky road for Michael and Catherine, but it’s clear to every-one that the end is near.”
Meanwhile the National Enquirer reports that Michael Douglas, 68, and Catherine Zeta-Jones, 43, secretly split a year ago in a trial separation.
Michael Douglas did not say he developed throat cancer because of a HPV infection, his publicist has said.
Michael Douglas, 68, who was diagnosed with cancer three years ago, was quoted as telling The Guardian his strain of cancer had been caused by HPV (human papillomavirus).
But in a statement Michael Douglas’ spokesman sought to clarify that the actor was not talking about his own cancer.
The World Health Organization (WHO) says HPV can cause cancer of the head and neck.
In his statement on Monday, Allen Burry said: “No. He [Michael Douglas] did not say oral s** was the cause of his cancer.”
The publicist referred to medical evidence linking oral s** to head neck cancer, adding “but [Michael Douglas] did not say it was the cause to his specific cancer”.
Michael Douglas was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2010
The Guardian stood by its story, releasing audio of the interview.
In the newspaper’s article on Sunday, Michael Douglas was asked if, given his illness, he regretted his years of smoking and drinking.
Michael Douglas was quoted as saying: “No. Because without wanting to get too specific, this particular cancer is caused by HPV, which actually comes about from cunni***gus.”
The actor continued: “I did worry if the stress caused by my son’s incarceration didn’t help trigger it. But yeah, it’s a s**ually transmitted disease that causes cancer.”
Michael Douglas’ illness is now in remission, following treatment.
His son, Cameron, is serving a prison sentence for d**g possession and dealing.
Michael Douglas, who is married to Welsh actress Catherine Zeta-Jones, was treated in the early 1990s for an addiction which some at the time claimed to be s**.
Michael Douglas himself denied this and said he was in rehab for alcohol abuse.
Michael Douglas has claimed that his throat cancer was caused by human papilloma virus (HPV), a s**ually transmitted disease.
Michael Douglas, 68, who fought a six month battle with the disease from August 2010 until January 2011, had initially believed that it was his years of smoking and drinking that had lead to the illness.
The Hollywood star made the frank admission about how he developed the illness during an interview with The Guardian newspaper when he was asked if he had regretted smoking and drinking in the past.
Michael Douglas candidly replied: “No. Because, without wanting to get too specific, this particular cancer is caused by HPV, which actually comes about from cunni***gus.”
The actor, who is married to Welsh actress Catherine Zeta-Jones, was diagnosed with cancer in August 2010 after a walnut-sized tumor was found on his tongue.
Michael Douglas’ health troubles started just a few months after his eldest son Cameron – from his first marriage to Diandra Luker – was jailed for d**g possession and dealing.
The actor admitted he initially believed his disease had been triggered by the stress over his son’s legal troubles.
Michael Douglas has claimed that his throat cancer was caused by human papilloma virus
Michael Douglas explained: “I did worry if the stress caused by my son’s incarceration didn’t help trigger it. But yeah, it’s a s**ually transmitted disease that causes cancer. And if you have it, cunni**gus is also the best cure for it.”
He was diagnosed with stage four of the disease and underwent an intense course of chemotherapy and radiation.
Eventually, Michael Douglas was given the all-clear, although he still has to undergo check-ups with doctors every six months.
However, the actor is optimistic he has conquered the disease once and for all.
“With this kind of cancer, 95 per cent of the time it doesn’t come back,” he said.
More than 20 years ago, Michael Douglas was hospitalized for an addiction, which many reports at the time claimed was to s**.
However, he has since denied that he was a s** addict, insisting that he was being treated for alcohol abuse.
HPV is a sexually transmitted virus which is more widely known as a cause of cervical and anal cancer.
Last year, Cancer Research UK said the rising rates of HPV16-positive cases of oral cancer could be linked to oral s**.
Anne Hathaway, Hugh Jackman, Adele and other stars performing on the Oscar show have insisted that they will sing live and won’t cheat by miming.
“They’re all singing live as far as I understand,” declared Cameron Mackintosh one of the producers of the Les Miserables movie.
Cast members from the picture such as Anne Hathaway, Hugh Jackman, Helena Bonham Carter, Russell Crow, Eddie Redmayne, Samantha Barks, Amanda Seyfried and Sacha Baron Cohen all sang live at rehearsals for a musical segment that celebrated movie musicals of the last decade such as Dreamgirls and Chicago.
However, Catherine Zeta Jones, who won a best supporting actress Oscar for Chicago eleven years ago, was said by observers not to have sung live during rehearsal sessions at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood where last night’s (Sunday) 85th annual Academy Awards extravaganza was taking place.
Organizers are desperate to avoid what they term a “Beyonce shambles”. A reference to Beyonce’s performance at President Barack Obama’s inauguration where the singer was found to have lip-synched to the national anthem of the United States of America.
The discovery led to a firestorm of criticism and the “Beyonce” topic was endlessly debated on political and entertainment television shows across the US, and there were choruses of disapproval in the UK, too.
Catherine Zeta Jones will dance and sing a number from Chicago, believed to be All That Jazz. It has been described as a major highlight of the Oscar show. It’s not known yet whether the actress, wife of Michael Douglas, will sing live or perform using a track she has already pre-recorded.
However, all singers performing at the Oscar ceremony – including Dame Shirley Bassey and Barbra Streisand – have pre-recorded their songs as a safety net just in case there are technical problems.
During rehearsals though, every performer has sung live, except Catherine Zeta Jones.
“Look, she maybe saving her voice for the official performance. Everybody’s dying to see whether she sings or not,” a source who has been at several rehearsals explained.
Anne Hathaway, Hugh Jackman, Adele and other stars performing on the Oscar show have insisted that they will sing live and won’t cheat by miming
Academy executives, some voters and actors and agents and producers have been using any old ruse to get into the rehearsals which are being held under tight security.
Onlookers note that Adele has been “indescribably mind-blowing”. Another observer told how at one point the singer performed the Oscar nominated Skyfall title song with no musical accompaniment.
“It was Adele, singing live and knocking it out of the park. Everyone stopped to listen. The carpenters and lighting guys started applauding. It’s impossible to impress those guys but they were bowled over and showed their respect.
“It sounded out of this world unaccompanied and later some of us heard her sing with the full works, the full orchestra and it was one of those rare goose bump moments that you never forget.”
Adele has already won the Golden Globe for best original song. She and co-writer Paul Epworth are front-runners to win the best song Oscar.
Les Miserables has a rival song called Suddenly which was written specially for the film by Herbert Kretzmer, Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schonberg.
Cameron Mackintosh paid out of his own pocket to double the chorus taking part in the Les Miserables segment from 24 to 48, flying some in from London and New York.
Others taking part in musical numbers include Jennifer Hudson who will perform a number from Dreamgirls and Norah Jones will sing the nominated song from the comedy Ted.
Last year Catherine Zeta-Jones went public about her bipolar disorder – and said just recently she hopes she can help remove the stigma from the mental condition.
But during an interview on ABC’s Good Morning America today, Catherine Zeta-Jones insisted she is tired of talking about the illness.
Catherine Zeta-Jones was treated in a psychiatric hospital last April for manic depression over the stress of her husband Michael Douglas’s battle against cancer.
At the time her publicist confirmed she was receiving help for the mood-altering illness.
Despite being very open about her condition since, during her interview today Catherine Zeta-Jones insisted she “never wanted to become the poster child” – and does not want to be seen as a victim.
She said: “You know what? I’m sick of talking about it because I never wanted to be the poster child for this.”
“I never wanted this to come out publicly. It came out,” she added emphatically.
Talking about how she copes with the illness she went on: “I dealt with it in the best way I could and that was just saying: <<Hey, I’m bipolar>>. Everyone has things going on and we deal with them as best we can.”
Very matter of factly, Catherine Zeta-Jones continued: “We can’t go jump from the rooftops shouting about I have this, look at me, victim.
“No, we all have issues in our life and I’m really lucky that I have great friends, great support and that’s all I can do.”
Catherine Zeta-Jones went public about her bipolar disorder last year
Catherine Zeta-Jones suffers from bipolar II, which unlike bipolar I, means the “up” moods do not reach full-on levels of mania.
Rather than descending into deep depressions, patients can be very outgoing, functional and often more productive than normal, one reason why it often goes undiagnosed.
Despite suggesting her reluctance to talk about her illness, Catherine Zeta-Jones spoke in detail to InStyle magazine this month about her diagnosis last year.
“It’s been an intense time, in good ways and bad,” Catherine Zeta-Jones said.
“You find out who you really are and who you are married to. You find things inside yourself you never imagined were there.”
“I’ve gained an appreciation for little things, like tea outside on a terrace and a beautiful afternoon like this.”
Catherine Zeta-Jones has been married to Michael Douglas for 12 years and the couple have two children together, son Dylan and daughter Carys.
It was reported last year that Catherine Zeta-Jones spent five days in a mental health clinic recovering, which lead to the diagnosis of bipolar disorder.
She also told the magazine that she hopes she can help other suffering with the condition.
“I’m not the kind of person who likes to shout out my personal issues from the rooftops but with my bipolar becoming public, I hope fellow sufferers will know it is completely controllable.
“I hope I can help remove any stigma attached to it, and that those who don’t have it under control will seek help with all that is available to treat it.”
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