Burt Lancaster Once Reduced His Friend Kirk Douglas To Tears In Front Of Fans By Teasing Him

January 8, 2019

Kirk Douglas and Burt Lancaster were one of the most iconic duos of the Golden Age of Hollywood. Over four decades, the two starred in seven movies together, starting with I Walk Alone (1948).

Douglas and Lancaster had plenty of memorable moments both on and off the set, and one of such moments shows what their relationship really was.

The time Lancaster made Douglas cry

Lancaster was, by some accounts, a real piece of work. He often took shots at people he worked with, and Douglas wasn’t an exception.

gettyimages

Burt Lancaster: An American Life, the actor’s biography written by Kate Buford, describes one particular episode when Lancaster literally made Douglas cry in front of fans. What did he say? He teased poor Kirk about the lifts in his shoes!

Burt Lancaster Once Reduced His Friend Kirk Douglas To Tears In Front Of Fans By Teasing HimBurt Lancaster Once Reduced His Friend Kirk Douglas To Tears In Front Of Fans By Teasing HimBurt Lancaster Once Reduced His Friend Kirk Douglas To Tears In Front Of Fans By Teasing HimBurt Lancaster Once Reduced His Friend Kirk Douglas To Tears In Front Of Fans By Teasing Him gettyimages

It may not sound like something a friend would do to you, but it seems such jokes were Lancaster’s idea of lighthearted fun!

gettyimages

His and Douglas’ friendship lasted for more than four decades, and Douglas still misses him.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by F. Paul Driscoll (@fpd8652) on Jan 1, 2019 at 8:29am PST

Douglas admits he misses his dear friend

Kirk Douglas is one of the few remaining Hollywood old-timers, and many of his friends and colleagues are now long-gone. The Hollywood heavyweight turned 102 in December 2018, and he doesn’t recognize the film industry’s landscape anymore.

Tough Guys Burt Lancaster and Kirk Douglas :) pic.twitter.com/mxb97fn9W6
— Classic Movie Hub (@ClassicMovieHub) December 9, 2018

In 2016, the actor spoke to Variety after celebrating his 100th birthday. He said in the interview:

I am now 100 years old. I read about Hollywood, and I don't know the people. Where is Burt [Lancaster]? Where is Laurence Olivier? They're all gone. I miss them. I feel lonely.

gettyimages

Lancaster passed away at 80 more than two decades ago, and Douglas still cherishes the memories of moments they shared – there sure was more laughing than crying between the two. The 102-year-old actor definitely has plenty of stories to tell!