Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones Say Late Kirk Douglas Crosses Their Minds Every Day

Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas shared how the late and legendary Kirk Douglas continue to inspire their daily lives amid the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Michael Douglas and his longtime wife and actress Catherine participated in “We All Play Our Part: A Benefit for MPTF” held on Friday, and the couple’s thoughts turned to the late and great Kirk Douglas when they spoke to ET ahead of the event.

KIRK WOULD APPROVE

Reminiscing about earlier years, Michael said that there “wasn’t anyone” like his father Kirk, who died at the age of 103 in February this year. Knowing that his father would be “very happy” with their contributions to the Motion Picture Television Fund, Michael couldn’t help but add in good humor:

"We would call him up and he would be like, 'Enough with you, let me talk to your wife.' He was a flirt until the very end."

Catherine agreed that Kirk was “a great flirt,” but the way Kirk approached life taught her a valuable lesson that helps the whole Douglas household during the difficult time in self-isolation amid the pandemic.

HE CONTINUES TO INSPIRE

“He crosses our minds every day. But for me, during this time of, ‘OK, we are all locked down, what do you do?’” Catherine explained. “He always said to us, ‘Write a book, do something else. What are you doing?’ And he’d be working on something right now, I’m sure.”

Finding or creating something to do in aid of others is a trait Catherine always found “admirable” about Kirk. Apart from philanthropic “endeavors,” Kirk also wrote 11 books, became involved with “courage events,” apart from an acting career that brought him much fame.

Kirk Douglas became the face of “Spartacus” in the 1960 film turned classic, and it marked only a part of his seven-decade long career that Steven Spielberg reportedly called a “breathtaking body of work.”

GENERATIONS OF DOUGLAS MEN

However, after Michael announced the news of his father’s passing, his son, Cameron Douglas, shared that grandfather Kirk had a profound impact on his career and his life as well.

When Cameron turned his attention to rebuilding his life after getting out of prison, Kirk always supported his pursuit of an acting career and encouraged Cameron to commit to his decision fully.

But he also passed down the value of hard work - which Cameron said is the secret behind his grandfather’s success, apart from also needing to show up, and being prepared when you do.

THE DOUGLAS PRIDE

Catherine had as much affection towards Kirk as he had for her, as she called him her “darling” Kirk in her tribute to him on social media after he passed. Husband Michael initially shared the sad news on February 6 and wrote in conclusion to a lengthy post that he felt “proud” to be Kirk’s son.

Kirk Douglas’s widow, Anne Buydens, celebrated her first birthday in decades without Kirk when she turned 101 years old last month.

Even though social-distancing regulations didn’t make it possible for the family to physically enjoy the day together, the children all made sure to send Anne heartwarming messages to wish her a happy birthday.