When you become a star, you don't change - everyone else does. Kirk Douglas More Quotes by Kirk Douglas More Quotes From Kirk Douglas Michael [Douglas] was just leaving the TV series The Streets of San Francisco and he said, 'Dad, let me try it.' I thought, 'Well, if I couldn't make it...' So, I gave it to him and he got the money, the director and the cast. The biggest disappointment for me, I always wanted to play McMurphy. They got a young actor, Jack Nicholson. I thought, 'Oh God. He will be terrible.' Then I saw the picture and, of course, he was great in it! That was my biggest disappointment that turned out to be one of the things I'm most proud of because my son Michael did it. I couldn't do it, but Michael did it. Kirk Douglas daddisappointmentson Virtue is not photogenic. What is it to be a nice guy? To be nothing, that's what. A big fat zero with a smile for everybody. Kirk Douglas smilezeronice When you get old the worst thing is you lose so many friends. Burt Lancaster, Frank Sinatra, John Wayne. People who I loved to work with. Kirk Douglas lancasterwaynepeople Virtue is not photogenic. Kirk Douglas photogenicvirtuephotography We look for wine when we should be hunting bread. Kirk Douglas huntingwinelooks What would my parents think about America if they arrived here today? Would they even want to come? I wonder. Kirk Douglas parentamericathinking You know, you have to have some inner philosophy to deal with adversity. Kirk Douglas dealsadversityphilosophy I'm a loner clear down deep to my guts. Kirk Douglas gutslonerclear I was living in a terrible time when people were being accused of being communists, and they attacked the movie industry, especially the writers. People couldn't work if they were on the blacklist. The studios banned them. It was the most onerous period in movie history. I don't think we have ever had a period so dark as that. Kirk Douglas darkpeoplethinking I came from abject poverty. There was nowhere to go but up. Kirk Douglas nowhere-to-go-but-upnowhere-to-gopoverty The first thing I look for in a woman is warmth-femininity. It's got nothing to do with a pretty face. Kirk Douglas faceslooksfirsts The older you get, the more awards you get. So, if you live long enough, then you get all the awards eventually. Kirk Douglas awardsenoughlong Now, what does an actor who can't talk do? Wait for silent pictures to come back? Kirk Douglas actorswaitingdoe The learning process continues until the day you die. Kirk Douglas learning-processdiesprocess Sometimes, the thing that ties you down sets you free. Kirk Douglas tiessometimes No matter how bad things are, they can always be worse. So what if my stroke left me with a speech impediment? Moses had one, and he did all right. Kirk Douglas optimismwhat-ifspeech Maybe there is no peace in this world. I don't know ... But I know as long as we live we must stay true to ourselves. Kirk Douglas inspirationallongworld If you want to know about a man you can find out an awful lot by looking at who he married. Kirk Douglas awfulwantmen Michael [Douglas] is, I think, a great actor. He's made some very interesting pictures. When he was going to college, I was very proud of him, but when he said, 'Dad, I want to be in a play,' he had a bit part. I went to see it and Michael said, 'Dad, how was I?' I said, 'You were terrible.' I thought he would go on to be a lawyer and in three months, he was in another play and I went and, I must admit, he was great. I think he has been good in everything he's done. Kirk Douglas dadcollegethinking If I can get enough signatures, to present an apology to slavery, I will present it to the President. The House of Representatives has already passed the resolution for the apology, but it has to pass the Senate. I think, in spite of all our problems, I think we're in the right direction. Kirk Douglas apologyhousethinking
