American actor Kirk Douglas (Issur Danielovitch Demsky) holding Italian actress Elsa Martinelli in his arms in the film The indian fighter. USA, 1955. (Photo by Mondadori via Getty Images)

The golden age of cinema was truly special. Breaking new ground in technology and story lines, at the forefront of Hollywood’s forge forward was Kirk Douglas who could be considered an icon of the era. Known for his roles in the likes of Spartacus, Lust for Life and Paths of Glory, the actor was known to be involved in three films a year, best seen in ‘manly’ productions such as western and war genres. Overnight, his son Michael Douglas announced the unfortunate passing of Kirk, aged 103.

“It is with tremendous sadness that my brothers and I announce that Kirk Douglas left us today at the age of 103,” Michael wrote on Instagram.

With a larger-than-life personality and dimpled chin, the actor was nominated three times for best actor at the Academy Awards, where he won one in 1996. Douglas suffered a severe stroke the same year and has been fighting the effects ever since. In 2011, he made it to the Academy Awards stage to present the award for best supporting actress before candidly flirty with the then-co host, Anne Hathaway.

While stories from on-set played the man out to be incredibly demanding during filming, he was also known as a political activist, charity benefactor, family man, and comedic storyteller.

His death comes just days before the Oscars, where no doubt, he will be honoured by the Hollywood community.