Douglas was the son Russian Jewish immigrant parents in Amsterdam, NY on Dec,9, 1916 Douglas worked as an usher a bellhop, a waiter, and a professional wrestler while attending st Lawrence Universit in Canton, New York(BA 1939) and the american Academy of Dramatic Art(1939-41)in New York City. He played mostly minor roles on broadway before and soon after service in the us, navy (1943-44)and then was drawn to Hollywood.❖ Douglas was the son Russian Jewish immigrant parents in Amsterdam, NY, on Dec. 9, 1916. ❖ Douglas worked as an usher, a bellhop, a waiter, and a professional wrestler while attending St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York (B.A., 1939) and the American Academy of Dramatic Art (1939–41) in New York City. He played mostly minor roles on Broadway before and soon after service in the U.S. Navy (1943–44) and then was drawn to Hollywood