Eulogy

By Kirk Douglas

Although my home has few movie mementos, the office walls are covered with posters of the movies I made. Today I find myself looking at a big poster of me with teeth bared, scowling at my friend TONY QUINN in Lust for Life. I loved Tony. In the early years, we spent much time together. And even when he moved to Italy, we always kept in touch. I was happy for him when he received the Oscar for his portrayal of Gauguin. He deserved it; he was a marvelous actor! Tony was also an extraordinary artist and sculptor. The last time we had dinner together we discussed putting together another exhibition of his work in Los Angeles. He was a thoughtful friend. Not long ago, I emceed a tribute ceremony to him. That night he gave me a set of gold cuff links that he had designed and made especially for me. I was very touched. Tony was a funny man and, most of all, a family man. The morning of his marriage to Iolanda (with whom he already had two children), the wedding ring was lost. In a desperate search, he exclaimed to his kids, "Come on, help me find the ring. Don't you want me to marry your mother?" I always think of Tony dancing in Zorba--so strong, so happy, so full of life. I will never lose that image.

--By Kirk Douglas