Kirk Douglas celebrates 100th birthday with star-studded party

Movie legend Kirk Douglas was joined by his son Michael Douglas, daughter-in-law Catherine Zeta-Jones, Steven Spielberg and comedian Don Rickles as he celebrated his 100th birthday on Friday (09Dec16).
Family and friends gathered at the upscale Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles to take part in vodka-fuelled festivities in honour of the actor’s milestone birthday.
Michael and his wife Catherine brought along their two children – Dylan Michael and Carys Zeta – to the party, which was also attended by Kirk’s wife of 62 years, Anne. Around 135 guests arrived at the hotel at on Friday afternoon (09Dec16), just before the birthday boy showed up.
Wall Street star Michael kicked off the speeches with a touching tribute to the Hollywood icon.
“I owe a lot of my career and success to him,” he said, recalling how his father gave the reins of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest when Kirk couldn’t make a deal on it.
He also paid tribute to his stepmother Anne, mother to his stepbrother Peter, crediting her for his father’s longevity: “She was never the wicked stepmother. My father wouldn’t be sitting here if it wasn’t for Anne,” Michael said.
Kirk was previously married to actress Diana Dill, Michael and his brother Joel’s mother. The pair divorced in 1951.
Michael finished his speech with a toast, calling the birthday boy “an amazing, amazing father”.
Zeta-Jones lit the candles on her father-in-law’s chocolate birthday cake, and Kirk then made a speech to the star-studded crowd. “My three boys got together and they took a vote and they decided that Michael would be the host because, after all, he has the most money,” he joked.
Steven Spielberg arrived to the bash late, and on crutches, following an accident on a film set earlier this month (Dec16). “I’ve worked with the best of them,” he said of Kirk. “But, you’re the only movie star I’ve ever met.”
The party ended at 5pm, but not before Kirk’s doctor handed him a large glass of vodka. Cardiologist Dr. PK Shah had promised the veteran actor he would give him a glass of vodka on his 100th birthday when he banned Kirk from drinking years ago.
“He got what he came for,” Douglas’ rep told People.com. “He enjoyed it indeed, and then he zipped out. Twenty minutes later, he was tucked into bed.”