Kirk Douglas And The Role That Almost Cracked Him

Lust for Life was the film that should have finally won Kirk Douglas the coveted Best Actor Oscar. He was definitely due for his gripping portrayal of the tortured, complicated Van Gogh, and losing to Yul Brenner in The King and I was an injustice.

Kirk Douglas was personally devastated by the loss - I really thought I had a chance, he said stoically after losing. It was a blow that gnawed at his soul for years. Lust for Life Director Vincente Minnelli himself stated, Kirk Douglas
achieved a moving and memorable portrait of the artist - a man of massive creative power, triggered by severe emotional stress, the fear and horror of madness. In my opinion, Kirk should have won the Academy Award.

(via Everlasting Blort)