RITTNER: Kirk deserves better |
No, not that Kirk.
In the whole output of American movies and culture, Kirk Douglas stands out as one of the best actors and people in the business. He started life as Issur Danielovitch in 1916, born to Jewish immigrants (Herschel and Bryna (Sanglel) Danielovitch) who had almost nothing. His father was a rag man (basically a junk collector).
The family barely spoke English and lived hand-to-mouth in Amsterdam, New York, a tough textile mill town. Still, Douglas pushed through. He hustled odd jobs, fought hard for a shot at college, and finally landed a scholarship at St. Lawrence University. He went on to the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, and before long, Hollywood couldn’t ignore him.
Douglas didn’t just have a long career; he changed the game. Over seventy years and more than ninety films, he set new standards for what it means to be a leading man. He stood up to the Hollywood blacklist when almost nobody else would. He used his success to push for causes that mattered, both on the screen and off.
Honoring Kirk Douglas isn’t only about looking up to a famous actor; it’s about recognizing the grit and values that shaped his life, values that echo the best parts of the American........