It has been less than a fortnight since the world was rocked by the sad news that iconic actor Kirk Douglas had passed away at the age of 103.

Tributes flooded in following the Spartacus star’s passing on February 5, as friend, family members, colleagues and fans alike paid their respects to Kirk. Now though, his grandson Dylan has opened up on his grief in an emotional public message, in which he described his paternal grandfather as his hero.

The 19-year-old son of Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones took to social media on Sunday as he admitted it had taken him so long to share a tribute to his “dear pappy” because he found it nigh-on impossible to capture the life and legacy of Kirk.

“I have waited to write this post both because I find it hard to write but also because I find it impossible to capture the life and legacy of my 103 year old grandfather,” Dylan wrote on Instagram, alongside an old photograph of the Hollywood star in his heyday.

“Though I am deeply sad by the death of my dear pappy; all I know from my life is that I want it to be long and good. I know full well that the life of Kirk Douglas was the longest and greatest I have ever seen. They say don’t meet your heroes but what they don’t tell you is if your lucky enough you can have your heroes be family- and pappy you are my hero and you always will be! I love and miss you and thank you for the imence [sic] impact you had on my life.

“I hope to live half the life and be half the man you are! Rest easy pappy, I love you!”

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Kirk’s son Michael, 75, confirmed the news of his father’s death on Instagram, as the Basic Instincts star penned an emotional tribute to his “legendary” father.

“It is with tremendous sadness that my brothers and I announce that Kirk Douglas left us today at the age of 103,” he wrote. “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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Father-of-three Michael 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”