Kirk Douglas spent his final years watching an unexpected combination of television, with his famous son Michael Douglas revealing that the Hollywood legend had become a fan of the UFC before he passed away at 103.
During an appearance on the Club Random Podcast with Bill Maher, Michael shared a personal detail about his father’s later years. He explained that mixed martial arts had become one of the few things that held the legendary actor’s attention.
“My father… it was right at the very end. The only thing that he watched was UFC and Bill,” Michael told Maher.
Michael’s comments came as Maher recalled the personal connection he had shared with Kirk over the years. The comedian explained that the actor regularly sent him handwritten notes, showing a level of appreciation that had clearly stayed with him.
“He loved you, Bill,” Michael continued, emphasizing how much his father thought of Maher. “He was a he was 102 years old.”
Maher then elaborated on the letters he had received, explaining that he had kept them despite the difficulty of reading Kirk’s handwriting.
“I told you I have all the notes he sent me which were I told you like in his handwriting, indecipherable. So they would also put typed out which was like just the fact that he knew I wanted both and that he wanted me to hear what he had to say.”
For Maher, the conversation also brought back memories of his own family. Reflecting on the letters and the connection he had shared with Kirk, he added, “I mean and of course it brought up all sorts of memories about my own father.”
Kirk Douglas passed away in February 2020 at the age of 103.
