Kirk Douglas' Son, Eric, Found Dead

FoxNews ^ | July 6, 2004

[nuconvert]

Kirk Douglas' Son, Eric, Found Dead

July 06, 2004

NEW YORK — Oscar-winning actor Kirk Douglas' (search) youngest son, who battled drug and alcohol problems for years, was found dead Tuesday inside an apartment building, police said.

Eric Douglas (search), 46, was discovered after someone flagged down a passing police car. There were no signs of foul play, police said. An autopsy was planned.

Eric Douglas was an aspiring actor and comedian, but he never found the success of his father or of his Academy Award-winning sibling, Michael Douglas (search). He had a short-lived acting career in the 1980s and early '90s, playing supporting roles in movies such as "Delta Force 3: The Killing Game." (search)

He also appeared in an episode of the HBO program "Tales From the Crypt" opposite his father, who earned an Emmy nomination for his role on the show.

In recent years, the youngest of Kirk Douglas' four sons drew attention more for his problems than for any performances. In a 2000 interview, he said he spent eight days in a coma after a pill overdose a year earlier.

[I got the rope]

I never knew there was another Douglas. This is sad. I don't like M. Douglas's politics, but I did admire his work. Kirk's especially. No matter how bad you think you have it...someone...somewhere...has it worse.

[Reagan Man]

A sad day for the Douglas Family and especially for Kirk Douglas. My condolances.

[Howlin]

Wow.......you're on the wrong web site.

[Howlin]

They supported him in every single thing he wanted to do, but it was never enough.

[Reagan Man]

I think theres another son of Kirk's. Joel Douglas.

[no more apples]

Too sad. May he rest in peace.

[tet68]

I have to admit that it would be a little difficult waking up every morning in your $500 a month condo thinking of your brother living at his $20M estate and married to Catherine Zeta-Jones. If that wouldn't drive you to drink then nothing could.

Seems to work for Maureen D.

[sushiman]

" His face resembles 10 miles of rough road! "

46 ? Looked 66 . Drugs and too much booze will do that to ya .

[Plutarch]

Douglas eyes damages in OD case
Army Archerd
Jun 18, 2003

GOOD MORNING: Eric Douglas now has court OK to seek punitive damages in his multi-million-$ suit vs. Dr. William Leader and the Leader Medical Group. The motion for Douglas, 45, to add the claim for punitive damages (Civil Code Section 3294 and Code of Civil Procedure Section 425.13) was granted June 11 to the complaint which was originally filed May 16, 2001. Douglas was under Leader's care from April 1996 to July of 1999. The complaint, leading to the approval to seek punitive damages notes Leader prescribed 105 tablets of Xanax on Jan. 11, 1999. Two days later, he provided Eric with prescriptions for 315 Xanax tablets plus 189 Vicodin tablets and 63 Halcion tablets plus other medications. And just 13 days later, on Jan. 26, Leader prescribed 105 more tablets of Xanax, more Vicodin ES and 21 tablets of Halcion. And Feb. 5, he issued three prescriptions on the same day for 163 more Vicodin, 210 tablets of Klonopin -- a sedative similar to Halcion -- and 90 tablets of Lomotil, another sedative. (Please note these numbers were not denied by the defendant!) In February and March 1999, Leader issued multiple prescriptions to Eric for the above and April 1, 1999, Eric was admitted to Cedars-Sinai for emergency treatment of possible drug overdose which resulted in cardiac arrest. He suffers severe disabilities and is now unable to work. Eric, through his family's counsel Neil Papiano, filed for general damages and now is able to add punitive damages. Eric's case has been mostly downplayed and/or ignored by friends in the press in deference to the pain and suffering both he and his parents Kirk and Anne Douglas have endured over the years. But now, Anne told me she is anxious the truth be known so that others may be saved from a similar fate. "The satisfaction about forewarning others is enough reason for me to make it public." I spoke to her shortly after she received the Jefferson Award at the Kennedy Center Wednesday for "greatest public service by a private citizen." Other recipients were Condolezza Rice, Mathilde Krim and Matthew Meyer. Kirk, who received a similar honor in 1983, was at her side. Jack Valenti, who made the presentation to Anne, dinner-partied the Douglases last night at the D.C. MPAA h.q.

Variety

(The article had no paragraphs, so it is formatted).

[joesnuffy]

well...if the commies ever figure out a way to 'distribute' Catherine Zeta Joneses to all the proleteriate......they might just win....
:)

[Mears]

Good Lord!!!! The amount of medications prescribed boggles my mind.

[ladyjane]

You make a good point. It can't be easy to come from a talented family and feel so inadequate. Poor kid.

[InterceptPoint]

Spoken like a true commie!

Not at all.

I am not criticizing anyone here and in particular any success that Michael Douglas might have. I don't agree with his politics but you have to give the guy credit - he did good. And I meant what I said about his brother having a difficult life. It would be hard. It would be challenging. It would not be impossible. You can overcome envy. But it is a mirror that I wouldn't want to have to look in every morning.

[InterceptPoint]

Wow.......you're on the wrong web site.

Nope. Read my post #33.

[evagoblin]

Although nepotism DOES help in Hollywood (having the right connections etc.) people also should consider that TALENT can also be inherited (like musical etc.) Although schooling and training helps, a person can become an actor without ANY training at all (Danny Aiello, Shelly Duvall etc.) unlike say, being a doctor but not without talent (which it is true, can be subjective.) Actors children also learn how to be at ease in movie sets and theater stage.

[gigglygigg]

Eric and I were in the Same Improv group @ the New York Comedy Club. He was not with us long, but he was a powerful presence. He was at times rude and loud. But, I was new to Stand up comedy, he was compassionate, and very helpful with his critique. I am very sorry for his tragic death. My prayers go to the Douglas Family. May God watch over Eric. He is a good soul.