Kirk Douglas Net Worth - Pulptastic

What was Kirk Douglas’ net worth

Kirk Douglas, the American actor, producer, author, and philanthropist, had a net worth of $60 million at the time of his death. Despite giving away tens of millions of dollars through The Douglas Foundation, his fortune would have been much higher.

In his final years, Kirk’s foundation generously donated $50 million to support various charities, including $40 million to Harry’s Haven, an Alzheimer’s facility in the LA suburbs. On his 99th birthday, he gave $15 million to establish the Kirk Douglas Care Pavilion at Harry’s Haven.

Kirk Douglas was also the father of actor/producer Michael Douglas.

Early Life and Career

Kirk Douglas was born Issur Danielovitch on December 9, 1916, in Amsterdam, New York. He grew up impoverished, selling snacks and delivering newspapers to help support his family of six sisters. Despite his difficult upbringing, Douglas discovered acting at a young age and by high school, he knew he wanted to become a professional actor. He talked his way into the dean’s office at St. Lawrence University, where he was given a loan to pay tuition. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 1939. Douglas’s acting was noticed at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City, where he was given a special scholarship to attend.

One of his classmates at the Academy was Lauren Bacall, who played an important role in launching his film career. Another classmate and friend of Bacall’s was aspiring actress Diana Dill, who later became Kirk’s first wife.

Service in World War II

Kirk Douglas joined the Navy in 1941, shortly after the U.S. entered World War II. He served as a communications officer in anti-submarine warfare on the USS PC-1137. In 1944, he was medically discharged for injuries sustained from the accidental dropping of a depth charge.

Kirk Douglas: From Radio to Hollywood Legend

After the war, Kirk Douglas returned to New York City and found work in radio, commercials, and theater. He acted in soap operas and developed his skill in using one’s voice, which was important for aspiring actors. His stage break occurred when he took over a role in Kiss and Tell, which led to other offers. Lauren Bacall helped him get his first film role in The Strange Love of Martha Ivers. Douglas developed into a leading box-office star throughout the 1950s, known for serious dramas. He appeared in more than 90 movies and was known for his explosive acting style.

Douglas became an international movie star for his leading role in Champion. Other early films include Young Man with a Horn, Ace in the Hole, Detective Story, and The Bad and the Beautiful. One of his best-known roles was in Spartacus. He played a crucial role in ending the Hollywood blacklist in 1960 by hiring a blacklisted screenwriter. Douglas had over 90 acting credits to his name and was named #17 on the American Film Institute’s list of the greatest male screen legends in American film history. He received lifetime achievement awards from the Screen Actors Guild and AFI, as well as the Honorary Academy Award and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Kirk Douglas’ Personal Life

Kirk Douglas married Diana Dill in 1943 and had two sons, Michael and Joel, before divorcing in 1951. He then married Anne Buydens in 1954 and had two more sons, Peter and Eric. Eric died in 2004 due to a drug and alcohol overdose. Kirk and Anne had been married for 65 years at the time of his death.

In 1991, Kirk was in a helicopter accident that led him to rediscover his Jewish faith. In 1996, he suffered a severe stroke that impaired his speech, but after intense daily therapy, he was able to regain some of his speaking ability.

Kirk Douglas’ Philanthropy

Following a helicopter accident, Kirk Douglas decided to dedicate himself to philanthropy. In 2012, he asked his wife about their finances and upon learning they had $80 million, he decided to give it away. The Douglas Foundation donated more than $50 million to various charities and established a scholarship at his alma mater, St. Lawrence University, as well as at the Westwood Sinai Temple and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.

Kirk Douglas’ Wife Anne Dies at 98

Anne Douglas, the wife of the late Hollywood icon Kirk Douglas, has died at the age of 98, from natural causes. She passed away on April 29, 2021, just over a year after her husband’s death.

Anne was born Anne Buydens in Germany in 1919 and moved to Paris to pursue a career in fashion. She met Kirk Douglas while working as a publicist for the film studio where he was under contract. They were married in 1954 and remained together for over 65 years.

Together, they were active in philanthropy, supporting numerous causes through the Douglas Foundation, which they founded in 1964. Anne was also involved in the restoration of the historic Hollywood theatre, now known as the Kirk Douglas Theatre.

She is survived by her three sons, Michael, Joel, and Peter, as well as several grandchildren and a great-grandchild.

Kirk Douglas’ Real Estate Properties

In 1999, Douglas and his wife sold their Palm Springs retreat for $1.3 million. The midcentury modern home features five bedrooms, eight bathrooms, and a pool.

Their primary home was a $400,000 Beverly Hills property, which Kirk owned from the 1970s until his death. The “Stars of Beverly Hills” garden path features autographs from famous friends such as Frank Sinatra, Ronald Reagan, Lucille Ball, Elizabeth Taylor, and Jack Nicholson. In December 2021, the home was listed for sale for $7.5 million and sold a month later for $9 million.