Screen legend Kirk Douglas passed away on Wednesday at the age of 103, and tributes have poured in ever since for the veteran performer who was one of the last surviving stars of Hollywood’s Golden Age.
Now the icon’s final family photo has emerged, which shows the Spartacus star smiling among four generations of his family. The heartwarming snap was taken just months before Kirk passed away as the Douglas clan gathered together for a family meal in August at the home of Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones.
The impressive snap of the 14 relatives was posted by Michael’s niece Kelsey on Instagram, with the caption: “A table of strong jaw lines, large appetites and a shared love for attention #FAMILY (missing a few key players: @tylerdougie@ryandawglas ) – family photos are tough.” She also posted a sweet picture of herself with her grandfather Kirk who was sporting sunglasses and a trendy patterned shirt for the memorable occasion.
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The sweet photograph shows Kirk alongside his wife Anne Buydens, as well as his three sons Michael, 75, Joel, 73, and Peter, 64. Kirk’s daughters-in-law Catherine, 50, and Lisa Douglas – the wife of television producer Peter – are also pictured alongside several of Kirk’s grandchildren, including Michael’s children Cameron Morrell Douglas, whom he shares with first wife Diandra Luker, and his two children with The Mask of Zorro star Carys Zeta Douglas and Dylan Michael Douglas.
Cameron can be seen holding his own daughter, the youngest member of Kirk’s family, baby Lua Izzy, whose moniker is a sweet nod to her famous great-grandfather. The 41-year-old, who is seen with his partner Viviane Thibes, gave his daughter the middle name ‘Izzy’ as a nod to his grandfather, as Douglas was actually born Issur Danielovitch and was known as Izzy for most of his life.
Peter’s two children Kelsey, 27, and Jason, 16, also attended the meal, however his other two sons, Ryan, 19, and Tyler, 23, were missing from the picture.
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Kirk also gathered with his family in December, just weeks before his death, to celebrate his 103rd birthday. Cameron once again shared several photographs from the special occasion on Instagram, including one of a rather elaborate cake which had been decorated in honour of his Spartacus role.
However Michael and Catherine were not in attendance as they were out of the country at the time.
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After news of the star’s death broke on Thursday morning (AEDT), Michael Douglas issued an emotional tribute to his father on social media, speaking on behalf of himself and his two brothers Peter and Joel.
“It is with tremendous sadness that my brothers and I announce that Kirk Douglas left us today at the age of 103,” he wrote on Instagram. “To the world he was a legend, an actor from the golden age of movies who lived well into his golden years, a humanitarian whose commitment to justice and the causes he believed in set a standard for all of us to aspire to.
“But to me and my brothers Joel and Peter he was simply Dad, to Catherine, a wonderful father-in-law, to his grandchildren and great grandchild their loving grandfather, and to his wife Anne, a wonderful husband.”
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Michael, 75, added: “Kirk’s life was well lived, and he leaves a legacy in film that will endure for generations to come, and a history as a renowned philanthropist who worked to aid the public and bring peace to the planet.
“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. #KirkDouglas”
The veteran actor, who was one of the last surviving stars of Hollywood’s Golden Age, is survived by his wife of 65 years Anne Buydens. While his name is now known the world over, the acting legend was born Issur Danielovitch Demsky to Jewish immigrant parents in New York.
He made his movie debut in 1946’s The Strange Love of Martha Ivers opposite Barbara Stanwyck and Van Heflin, and was soon on the road to stardom, becoming one of the hottest stars of the 1950s and ’60s, with appearances in dramas, Westerns and war movies. But cinema fans will remember him best for his leading role in ground-breaking 1960 film Spartacus.