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Kirk Douglas turns 102: Catherine Zeta-Jones shares a video tribute to 'the most beautiful man'

Odette Odendaal
Dec 12, 2018
09:20 P.M.

December 9, was a day of celebration for the Douglas family as Kirk Douglas had his 102nd birthday with a touching tribute by Catherine Zeta-Jones.

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Catherine posted a thoughtful video to honor her ‘Spartacus’ father in law on his milestone. Read more on our Twitter account, @amomama_usa.

The video shows pictures of Kirk back in the day, side by side with the recorded performance of Carys Douglas playing the piano while singing "Beautiful," by Christina Aguilera.

In the slideshow of memories honoring Kirk some represented family pictures, while some were old movie shots, as well as scene’s showing Kirk dancing with his grandkids.

Catherine Zeta-Jones captioned the lovely video, “Happy 102nd birthday to the most beautiful man. We love you, Kirk.”

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The grandkids also posted sweet messages, as Carys posted a picture of her grandfather in a behind the scenes picture of an old movie with the caption:

"102 years young. To my inspiration, my pappy. I can't put into words how much you mean to me. happy birthday, I love you."

One of his grandsons, Dylan, wrote on his Instagram:

"Happy birthday Pappy 102 years!!! Though you are adored by millions, my love for you is by far the greatest. Love you forever and always."

Kirk had quite the life in his 102 years on this earth, and melted hearts at an early age, as even his English teacher in the 1930’s seduced him when he was only 14.

Born Issur Danielovtich in 1916 in New York City to parents Herschel and Bryna, two Jewish-Russian immigrants who moved from what is known today as Belarus to the United States for a better life.

After graduating with a degree in English, Kirk won a scholarship to the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City, where he changed his name to Kirk Douglas.

But his career in acting would have to wait, as World War II broke out.

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Kirk enlisted in the United States Navy in 1941 and spent the majority of the next three years aboard small patrol crafts in the Pacific Ocean war zone in search of Japanese submarines.

It is during one of these patrols that a depth charge exploded prematurely and Kirk suffered injuries that kept in the San Diego’s Balboa Hospital for months before receiving a medical discharge in 1944.

After the discharge, Kirk resumed acting, but it wasn’t until Disney Studios made him their first big-time movie star with the 1954 film, "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea," that his career took a boost.

Even though he starred in many highly acclaimed movies, Kirk never won an Academy Award. However, he received an honorary Oscar for his 50 years in the entertainment industry in 1996.

Just a month ago, Kirk joined his son, Michael, and the rest of the family for an outing when Michael received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Following in his father, Kirk’s footsteps, who received his star in February 1960, Michael thanked his father and said:

"It means so much to me, dad, that you're here today. Thank you for your advice, for your inspiration, and I'll say it simply, and with all my heart, I'm so proud to be your son."

Not surprising that Kirk is listed as the 17th greatest male American screen legend of all time, on the American Film Institute’s list.

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