Kirk Douglas gets early 100th birthday gift from Jewish org

NEW YORK – Kirk Douglas has received an early 100th birthday present — an award from the World Jewish Congress for his strong support for Israel, including starring in the first Hollywood feature film shot in the newly established nation.

Ronald Lauder, the organization’s president, said Douglas, who was born Dec. 9, 1916, was “always proud of his Jewish roots.”

He pointed to Douglas’ starring roles as a Holocaust survivor in the 1953 movie “Juggler,” and as Jewish U.S. Army Col. David “Mickey” Marcus, who helped save the Jewish state in 1948 in the 1966 movie “Cast A Giant Shadow.”

Oscar-winning actor and producer Michael Douglas accepted the award at a dinner at the Pierre Hotel on Wednesday, telling over 400 guests that his father will be “so proud and so humbled.”