One of the funniest stories of celebrity nepotism in Hollywood is that of Eric Douglas, son of Spartacus star Kirk Douglas. Both Kirk and Eric’s older brother, Michael Douglas, were legendary actors and Oscar winners. Eric, however, failed to acquire the fame and acclaim his famous father and brother did.
Now there’s this line in Spartacus where the rebel slave is about to be discovered by the Romans. He says: “I am Spartacus”, but one of his comrades steps in and goes: “No, I am Spartacus!” All the other slaves then repeat this, until the Romans no longer know who their leader is. All slaves get crucified. Anyway, long story short, Eric Douglas tries to make it as an actor, fails. Then he tries to do stand-up comedy… and he bombs. One notable performance in London sees Eric booed and mocked mercilessly by a rowdy drunk crowd of Brits…
“You can’t do this to me, I’m the son of Kirk Douglas!” yells Eric. “No, I am the son of Kirk Douglas!” yells an audience member. After which all of the audience members join in the chorus, mimicking Spartacus, each repeating the line: “I am the son of Kirk Douglas!” Needless to say, his career died on the vine.
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