Kirk Douglas’ grandson reflects on his passing in emotional interview
Kirk Douglas’ grandson has honoured the late acting legend in an emotional interview.
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Cameron Douglas said it was difficult to lose his grandfather, who died on February 5 at the age of 103.
“He was always there, always supportive and he believed in me even when maybe I had given up on myself,” said Cameron, who previously struggled with drug addiction.
“Losing him is one of those things that, even when you sort of see it coming … it’s still difficult.
“I take solace in the pride of being his grandson and having had the opportunity to spend as much time with him as I have. When I look at his life, what he accomplished and the way he carried himself, it's hard for me to imagine anyone doing it any better.”
Cameron said he brought his partner Viviane Thibes and daughter Lua Izzy to Los Angeles so that the family could spend more time with Kirk.
“I moved about 15 minutes away from them and have been spending a lot of time with him, bringing my daughter [and] Vivian over on weekends,” said the 41-year-old.
“Just watching the bond between my daughter and grandfather was extremely special.
“He would light up every time she was around. When she was in the same room, all she wanted to do was either be in his lap or be the focus of his attention. I'll remind her of that when she gets older, showing her that connection through photos.”
Cameron followed in the footsteps of his father Michael and his grandfather to become an actor after serving nearly eight years in prison for possessing cocaine and distributing methamphetamine.
“He said to me, not that long ago, ‘Cameron, I’m so happy to see that you’re finally functioning’. That’s this kind of credo among the members of our family – to be ‘functioning’ – and I know that made him proud.”