Kirk Douglas revealed he wished he’d kept his original name, after changing it early on in his career because of concerns it was "too Jewish" for Hollywood.
On Wednesday, the legendary Hollywood actor, known for roles in Spartacus, Lust for Life, and Paths of Glory, died at the age of 103.
Five years before his death, the actor, who was born Issur Danielovitch in 1916 in upstate New York to Russian immigrants, reflected on his upbringing and his regret over his decision to change his name in an interview with People.
“I wish I had kept it,” he said at the time. “It’s more interesting to keep your original name. But can you imagine that name on a marquee?”
During the interview, Douglas had explained that he’d grown up seeing his father barred from certain jobs because of his Jewish faith.
After choosing to pursue a career in show business, Douglas decided to change his own name because it was “too unwieldy and too Semitic” for Hollywood at the time.
He eventually made his acting debut in 1946, when he played an alcoholic husband in The Strange Love of Martha Ivers.
Although Douglas gave up his original name, the name lived on through his family, with the actor’s three-year-old great-granddaughter Lua Izzy named for him.
In a statement announcing his death, Douglas’ sons reflected on their father’s legacy as a “legend, an actor from the golden age of movies,” as well as a “Dad, wonderful father-in-law, a loving grandfather, and a wonderful husband”.
“Kirk’s life was well lived, and he leaves a legacy in film that will endure for generations to come, and a history as a renowned philanthropist who worked to aid the public and bring peace to the planet,” his son Michael said.
