Talk:Kirk Douglas

Kirk Douglas fitness

• Douglas was known for his physical fitness in a time when most actors and actresses didn't worry about it. For example he stopped smoking in the late forties when some of the first studies came out. He had a stroke in the mid-ninties at the age of eighty-five and his doctors credit his level of fitness as being a major player in keeping him alvie and helping him in his recovery. Here is an expert from when he appeared on the Merv Griffin show in the seventies. He talks about excercising. Thought some might find it interesting. --Jcordell (talk) 17:49, 27 October 2014 (EDT)

Merv: Kirk, you've long been recognized for your rugged, masculine and virile physique. Did you have to work at it?

Kirk Douglas: Well let me tell you Merv....I came to Hollywood in 1945, just another out of work actor trying to make it in Hollywood. I shared a cheap apartment with another out of work actor. We both worked odd jobs while trying to get our big break. I was always a skinny kid growing up and being a starving actor didn't help me add any meat on my bones.[audience laughter]

I thought that if I could build my body up it might help me get some acting jobs. So I sent away for the Charles Atlas course. I think it cost me $35, which was a lot of money back in those days! When I got the course I did just what Atlas told me to do. I worked out twice a day on his Dynamic Tension exercises. I had being doing the course for over 6 months and during this time I noticed that my roommate would go out every evening for a couple of hours. I never asked him where he went, I just thought he was out looking for work or just hanging out with friends. Anyway, like I said, I'd been doing the course for 6 months and I just wasn't getting any results. I still looked thin and weak. But I noticed my roommate was looking much bigger and stronger. So I asked him what he had been doing? He told me he had been going to the YMCA every night for the last 6 months. He'd go there and lift weights and swim in the pool. He took off his shirt and I couldn't believe the muscles he had! Broad shoulders, bulging biceps and trim muscular waist. [audience sounds awed]

Needless to say I chucked Chuck Atlas in the trashcan!! [loud audience laughter] And then I headed out to the YMCA with him every night, I think I paid $5 a month for membership dues? Within 6 months I had added 25lbs. of muscle on my frame and felt stronger and better than at any point in my life (up till then).

Merv: Did it help get you acting jobs?

Kirk Douglas: I really believe it was paramount to my success. Studio executives suddenly started to take notice of me, and the rest is history. And Merv....do you know who my roommate was?

Merv: No, who???

Kirk Douglas: Hercules himself.....STEVE REEVES!!!!! [audience bursts into wild applause and cheering!!!]'