Bill Text: NY K00762 | 2019-2020 | General Assembly | Introduced

New York Assembly Resolution 762 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Celebrating the life and accomplishments of Kirk Douglas, Hollywood icon, noted philanthropist, and devoted family man

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2020-02-12 - adopted [K00762 Detail]

Download: New_York-2019-K00762-Introduced.html


Assembly Resolution No. 762

BY: M. of A. Santabarbara

        CELEBRATING  the  life and accomplishments of Kirk
        Douglas, Hollywood icon, noted  philanthropist,  and
        devoted family man

  WHEREAS,  It  is  the  sense  of  this Legislative Body to honor the
memory of cherished citizens of the State of New York who  distinguished
themselves  in  their profession and whose talent, wit, charm, intellect
and unique personality permeated all they did; and

  WHEREAS,  It  is  with  great  sorrow  and  deep  regret  that  this
Legislative  Body  records  the  passing of Kirk Douglas who died at his
home in Beverly Hills, California, on Wednesday, February  5,  2020,  at
the age of 103; and

  WHEREAS,  Kirk  Douglas'  excellence  as an actor and director truly
transcended the mediums of film and theater; and

  WHEREAS,  Three-time  Academy  Award  nominee,  and  honorary  Oscar
award-winning  actor  Kirk Douglas, perhaps best known for his tough guy
role in "Spartacus," was born Issur Danielovich to Jewish immigrants  on
December  9,  1916,  in  Amsterdam,  New York; later, his given name was
changed to Isadore, and his family name became Demsky; and

  WHEREAS, Throughout his childhood and teenage years, Isadore  Demsky
worked  more  than 40 jobs to supplement his father's meager income as a
ragman; as a way to escape his difficult life, he  poured  his  emotions
into  acting  in  high  school  plays, and realized he wanted to build a
career in theater and acting; and

  WHEREAS, Upon graduating, Isadore Demsky hitchhiked to St.  Lawrence
University  in  Canton, New York, was admitted and given a college loan;
he became a star wrestler, and was elected President of the student body
in his junior year; and

  WHEREAS, During the summers, Isadore Demsky worked as a stagehand at
the Tamarack Playhouse in the Adirondacks, where he was given some minor
roles; he then tried out for the American Academy of  Dramatic  Arts  in
New York City, but was unable to obtain a scholarship; and

  WHEREAS,  After  graduating  from  college, he decided to change his
name to Kirk Douglas, and returned to New York  City  where  he  studied
acting  for  two  years,  played  in  summer  stock,  and made his first
Broadway appearance in the 1941 musical "Spring Again"; and

  WHEREAS, Kirk Douglas proudly served his country as a member of  the
United States Army for two years, before he was injured in an accidental
explosion; and

  WHEREAS,  In November of 1943, Kirk Douglas married the former Diana
Dill, and together, they had two sons, Michael and Joel; and

  WHEREAS, Kirk Douglas married producer Anne Buydens on May 29, 1954,
and became the proud father of two more sons, Peter and Eric;  in  2017,

the  couple  released  a  book  entitled Kirk and Anne: Letters of Love,
Laughter and a Lifetime in Hollywood, which  revealed  intimate  letters
they shared throughout more than six decades of marriage; and

  WHEREAS,  Kirk  Douglas  and  his family moved to California, and he
began his storied film career in "The Strange  Love  of  Martha  Ivers,"
which  starred  Barbara  Stanwyck;  in  1949,  he earned his first Oscar
nomination playing a has-been boxer, Midge Kelly, in "Champion"; and

  WHEREAS, Throughout his long and distinguished career, Kirk  Douglas
recorded  over  92 acting credits, including some 75 movies, often times
playing a ruthless villain; some of his  notable  roles  included  James
McLeod  in  "Detective  Story,"  for  which  he  received a Golden Globe
nomination; Jonathan in "The  Bad  and  the  Beautiful,"  for  which  he
received  his second Oscar nomination; and Vincent van Gogh in "Lust for
Life," for which he earned his third Oscar  nomination  and  his  second
Golden  Globe  nomination;  and  his  most famous, a rebellious slave in
"Spartacus," which went on to win four Oscars; and

  WHEREAS,  A  rebel  in  real  life,  Kirk  Douglas  formed  his  own
production company, Bryna in 1957, in an effort to manage is own career;
and

  WHEREAS,  As the years went by, Kirk Douglas starred in fewer films,
but stayed active in the business as a director,  producer  and  author,
writing  two  novels,  and  his best-selling autobiography, The Ragman's
Son; and

  WHEREAS, Kirk Douglas was a man of many interests  and  passions;  a
true  patriot,  he served as Special Ambassador under four United States
presidents, and in 1981, was the recipient of the Presidential Medal  of
Freedom; and

  WHEREAS,  Kirk  Douglas  and  his  beloved  wife  were an incredibly
generous  team;  they  donated  significant  funds   to   St.   Lawrence
University,  and  various  other  schools  and  medical  facilities, and
supported numerous non-profit organizations in southern California  such
as the Anne Douglas Childhood Center at the Sinai Temple of Westwood and
Harry's Haven, an Alzheimer's treatment facility in Woodland Hills; and

  WHEREAS,  This remarkable couple established the Anne Douglas Center
for Homeless Women at the Los Angeles  Mission,  and  the  Kirk  Douglas
Theatre  in  2004, and donated a number of playgrounds in Jerusalem, and
the Kirk Douglas Theater at the Aish  Center  across  from  the  Western
Wall; and

  WHEREAS,  Even  though  he  suffered a stroke in March of 1996, Kirk
Douglas persevered and remained a Hollywood fixture; later that year, he
gave a moving acceptance speech at the 68th Annual Academy  Awards  when
he received an Oscar for Lifetime Achievement; and

  WHEREAS, Kirk Douglas continued to work, playing Chester J. Lampwick
in  an  episode  of  "The  Simpsons,"  and  appeared  in  films  such as
"Diamonds", and the 2003 "It Runs in the Family," which  co-starred  his
son, Michael, grandson Cameron, and ex-wife Diana; and

  WHEREAS,  Predeceased  by his son, Eric, Kirk Douglas is survived by
his wife, Anne Buydens Douglas; three sons, Michael,  Peter,  and  Joel;

five  grandchildren, and one great-grandchild; as well as numerous other
relatives, fans and fellow actors, who will long cherish his memory; and

  WHEREAS,  In  appreciation of his life of commitment, dedication and
substantial contribution, it is the intent of this Legislative  Body  to
inscribe  upon  its  records  this tribute to the memory of Kirk Douglas
that many generations may know and appreciate his  admirable  character,
his  many  benevolent  deeds, and the respect and esteem in which he was
held; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its  deliberations  to
celebrating  the  life  and  accomplishments  of Kirk Douglas, Hollywood
icon, noted philanthropist, and devoted family man; and be it further

  RESOLVED, That a copy of this  Resolution,  suitably  engrossed,  be
transmitted to the family of Kirk Douglas.