Despite being a silver screen legend, star of 87 films and head of a powerful acting dynasty, it seems that actor Kirk Douglas is not content to sit back and relax.
Celebrating his 90th birthday at a Los Angeles restaurant surrounded by friends and family, the veteran actor chose the occasion to launch a call-to-arms for young people.
"It's a tradition that when a "birthday boy" stands over his cake he makes a silent wish for his life and then blows out the candles. I have followed that tradition for 89 years but on my 90th birthday, I have decided to rebel. Instead of making a silent wish for myself, I want to make a loud wish for the world," he said in an open letter.
Kirk, who was joined by son Michael Douglas and his wife Catherine Zeta-Jones for the birthday bash, is a forceful humanitarian campaigner. He has been a US state department Goodwill Ambassador, and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
"When I blow out my candles – 90 – it will take a long time, but I'll be thinking of you,” said the Spartacus star, addressing an entire generation of young Americans. "You need to rebel, to speak up, write, vote, and care about people and the world you live in," he said.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
