Just one look at the piercing features of Kirk Douglas's face is enough to understand that he was an outstanding old-school Hollywood movie star. Whether he was playing Vincent Van Gogh or Spartacus, Douglas always brought to the screen an intensity unmatched by anyone else. However, the real drama unfolded when the cameras stopped rolling. From numerous changes to daunting accusations, it's hard to say whether Kirk Douglas was a hero or a villain.

Many actors like to draw attention to their difficult childhoods, but Kirk Douglas didn't need to embellish his story. Born as Issur Danielovitch to a family of Russian Jewish immigrants in Amsterdam, New York, his family and friends called him Izzy, the only boy among six sisters. His parents came to America hoping for a better life, but their American dream soon turned into a nightmare.