Damon Douglas was a talented actor who appeared in several movies and TV shows in the 1970s and 1980s. He was best known for his roles in Massacre at Central High, Bad Company, and The Rookies. He was also the son of legendary actor Kirk Douglas and the brother of Oscar-winning producer Michael Douglas. He died on October 29, 2006, at the age of 54, after a long battle with a rare disease. In this article, we will explore the life and career of Damon Douglas, as well as the cause of his death and the impact it had on his family and fans.
Early Life and Career
Damon Douglas was born on April 20, 1952, in New Orleans, Louisiana, as Damon Zenet Cofer. He was the second son of Kirk Douglas and his first wife, Diana Dill. He had an older brother, Michael, and two younger half-brothers, Joel and Peter, from his father’s second marriage to Anne Buydens. He grew up in a family of actors and was exposed to the Hollywood lifestyle from an early age. He attended the prestigious Choate Rosemary Hall boarding school in Connecticut, where he developed an interest in acting and music.
He made his acting debut in 1972, in the western film Bad Company, starring Jeff Bridges and Barry Brown. He played Jim Bob Logan, a young outlaw who joins a gang of Civil War deserters. He used the name Damon Cofer for this role, as he did not want to rely on his father’s fame. He later changed his name to Damon Douglas, after his mother’s maiden name. He continued to act in various films and TV shows throughout the 1970s and 1980s, such as The Waltons, The Yellow Rose, Centennial, The Young and the Restless, and Reuben, Reuben. He also appeared alongside his father in the 1978 TV miniseries The Bastard, based on the novel by John Jakes.
Personal Life and Death
Damon Douglas married Gail Bryson in 1985, and they had one daughter, Kelsey, who was born in 1990. He was a devoted father and husband, and also a therapist practicing in the Los Angeles area. He helped many people with their emotional and mental health issues, using his own experiences as a guide. He was diagnosed with progressive pituitary disease, a rare condition that affects the pituitary gland and causes hormonal imbalances, in the late 1990s. He underwent several surgeries and treatments, but his health deteriorated over the years. He died on October 29, 2006, in Long Beach, California, surrounded by his loved ones. He was cremated and his ashes were scattered in the Pacific Ocean.
His death was a tragic loss for his family and friends, who remembered him as a kind, generous, and loving person. His father, Kirk Douglas, wrote a heartfelt tribute to him in his memoir, Let’s Face It: 90 Years of Living, Loving, and Learning, published in 2007. He said that Damon was his “most difficult child” but also his “most courageous”. He expressed his grief and guilt over his son’s death, and said that he wished he could have done more to help him. He also said that he was proud of Damon’s achievements and his spirit. His brother, Michael Douglas, also paid homage to him in his acceptance speech for the AFI Life Achievement Award in 2009. He said that Damon was a “beautiful person” who had a “tough life”. He also thanked him for being a “wonderful uncle” to his children, Cameron, Dylan, and Carys.
Damon Douglas cause of death was a rare and incurable disease that took away his life too soon. He was a talented actor who left behind a legacy of memorable performances. He was also a compassionate human being who touched many lives with his kindness and generosity. He will always be remembered and missed by his family, friends, and fans.
