Entertainment
Anne Douglas, publicist and wife of the late Kirk Douglas, dies aged 102
Anne Douglas, the widow of actor Kirk Douglas, has died aged 102.
The film publicist and philanthropist died on Thursday at her home in Beverly Hills, California, which she shared with her husband of 66 years. The couple had two sons, Peter and Eric.
Douglas’ death comes a little over a year after the death of Kirk on February 5, 2020 at 103-years-old.
In a tribute, actor Michael Douglas, 76, said in a statement to PEOPLE that she ‘brought out the best in us’.
‘Anne was more than a stepmother, and never “wicked.” She brought out the best in all of us, especially our father. Dad would never have had the career he did without Anne’s support and partnership,’ he said.
‘Catherine [Zeta-Jones] and I and the children adored her; she will always be in our hearts.’
Over her career Douglas has worked as a location scout and a publicist at Cannes Film Festival, as well as president of her husband’s production company, Bryna Co. She received a producer credit on Peg Leg, Musket & Sabre in 1973, and 1975’s Posse, both of which starred her husband
Her philanthropy included founding the Cedars-Sinai Research for Women’s Cancers and founded The Anne Douglas Center for Women at the Los Angeles Mission.
She met Kirk in 1953 on the set of Act of Love following his divorce from first wife Diana Douglas two years earlier.
They wed in 1954 and celebrated their 50th anniversary in 2004.
She had celebrated her 102 birthday just over a week ago, which Michael marked on Instagram with a family photo.
‘Happy Birthday Anne Douglas! We love you! ❤️ Michael, Catherine, Carys, & Dylan,’ he wrote.
Douglas is survived by children Peter, Michael and Joel, daughters-in-law Catherine and Lisa, numerous grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and sister Merle.
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