Along with Burt Lancaster, Douglas was the top male Hollywood star of the post-WW II era. A singularly unrelaxed performer, he brought relentless drive as well as talent to his screen roles, which were often as cynical, egotistical types. Born Issur Danielovitch in Amsterdam, NY, Douglas made his screen debut as a jaded weakling in THE STRANGE LOVE OF MARTHA IVERS (1946), achieved stardom as the ruthless boxer in Stanley Kramer's CHAMPION (1949) and was memorable as Vincent van Gogh in Vincente Minnelli's biopic LUST FOR LIFE (1956). He played classic heels in Billy Wilder's THE BIG CARNIVAL (1951) and William Wyler's DETECTIVE STORY (1951) and more sympathetic characters in OUT OF THE PAST (1947), GUNFIGHT AT THE O.K. CORRAL (1957, as Doc Holliday), PATHS OF GLORY (1957) and THE LIST OF ADRIAN MESSENGER (1963). Douglas turned to producing in the late 1950s and his public announcement that blacklisted writer Dalton Trumbo would script SPARTACUS (1960) was a key move in Hollywood's reacceptance of allegedly communist figures. After suffering a stroke in 1995, Douglas has made rare film appearances (most recently in the 2004 drama THE ILLUSION). He had established a second career as an author, publishing a volume of memoirs titled The Ragman's Son (1989), followed by the novels Dance with the Devil (1991) and The Gift (1993). Douglas is the father of actor-director-producer Michael and TV producer Joel (with his first wife, actress Diana Dill) and of producer Peter and actor Eric (with his second wife and former publicity agent Anne Buydens). His daughter-in-law is actress Catherine Zeta-Jones. In 1981, Kirk Douglas received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest honor bestowed on an American civilian.  Nominated for Actor 1949: CHAMPION  Nominated for Actor 1952: THE BAD AND THE BEAUTIFUL  Nominated for Actor 1956: LUST FOR LIFE  Honorary Award 1995: "For fifty years as a creative and moral force in the motion picture community." Winner received a Statuette. 3 nominations, 1 Honorary Award