Hollywood acting legend Kirk Douglas has died

Hollywood acting legend Kirk Douglas has died aged 103.

The Spartacus star died on Wednesday and is survived by his wife of 65 years Anne Buydens and his three sons Michael, Joel, and Eric.

His son Michael Douglas, an acting icon in his own right, revealed the news of his father's death in an emotional statement to People magazine.

"It is with tremendous sadness that my brothers and I announce that Kirk Douglas left us today at the age of 103," Michael said in a statement released to People magazine.

"To the world, he was a legend, an actor from the golden age of movies who lived well into his golden years, a humanitarian whose commitment to justice and the causes he believed in set a standard for all of us to aspire to."

The actor added: "But to me and my brothers Joel and Peter he was simply Dad, to Catherine, a wonderful father-in-law, to his grandchildren and great grandchild their loving grandfather, and to his wife Anne, a wonderful husband."

"Kirk's life was well lived, and he leaves a legacy in film that will endure for generations to come, and a history as a renowned philanthropist who worked to aid the public and bring peace to the planet," Michael added. "Let me end with the words I told him on his last birthday and which will always remain true. Dad- I love you so much and I am so proud to be your son."

Douglas suffered a stroke back in 1996 but had been in good health since then.

The famed actor and producer had a total of 92 acting credits and roughly 75 movies under his belt.

Douglas received critical acclaim for his role in the 1960 classic Spartacus.

He was nominated for a Best Actor Oscar in 1959 for Champion and earned two Oscar nominations for producing The Bad and the Beautiful in 1953 and Lust for Life in 1957.

Source: NZ Herald