"I renet it when I hear some of these young actors say they wont sell a picture. Ive always felt thats part of my responsibility—to help getting people to see a movie. Funny thing is I dont even remember any of these young guys names. I want to spank them."
Kirk Douglas was an American actor and filmmaker. After an impoverished childhood, he made his film debut in The Strange Love of Martha Ivers (1946) with Barbara Stanwyck. Douglas soon developed into a leading box-office star throughout the 1950s, known for serious dramas, including westerns and war films. During his career, he appeared in more than 90 films and was known for his explosive acting
"I know Italians and I like them. A lot of my fathers best friends were Italians. I responded to that in making the picture. I put a lot of warmth into that character. Those immigrants were tough, more intensive than people are these days."
Kirk Douglas"On working with in Gunfight at the O.K. Corral (1957); as quoted in Halliwells Whos Who in the Movies (2003) by Leslie Halliwell (ed. John Walker), p. 468"
Kirk Douglas"Dont crucify me because of what your idea of a movie star is. I didnt start out to be a movie star. I started out to be an actor. You people out in the East have no idea what goes on out here. No awareness or knowledge whatsoever. You lose track of the human being behind the image of the movie star."
Kirk Douglas"I love champions. A champion has something special about him."
Kirk Douglas"I find characters with a little evil in them much more interesting to play than the good guy. Id rather play than ."
Kirk Douglas"Jo wanted to be pumped up before she went on to do a scene, she asked me to slap her... They did the scene over and over, never quite right. Every time she came over to me and asked me to hit her, and hit her harder."
Kirk Douglas