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Cameron Douglas, Michael’s son, received Kirk’s Presidential Medal of Freedom.
President Jimmy Carter presented Douglas with the honor in 1981.
It represented recognition extending beyond his film career.
Another grandson was designated to receive Kirk’s 1983 Jefferson Award.
Other awards were distributed among additional grandchildren.
A granddaughter received jewelry from Anne.
In that sense, the estate plan spread different parts of Kirk and Anne’s lives across several generations.
One person received Hollywood history.
Another received national recognition.
Another received art.
Another received jewelry.
Then there was Catherine Zeta-Jones.
Her gift did not look like any of those.
Catherine Was Left a Bronze Sculpture
According to the trust documents, Catherine Zeta-Jones was designated to receive a work called The Friendship Bench.
It was created by sculptor John Kennedy.
The title immediately makes the gift stand out.
Not Achievement.
Not Victory.
Not something explicitly connected to Hollywood success.
The Friendship Bench.
That distinction becomes more interesting when looking at Kennedy’s work.
John Kennedy Used Body Language Instead of Faces
John Kennedy lived from 1931 to 2004.
He became known for graceful, elongated bronze figures.
His sculptures often contain little or no facial detail.
Instead, emotion comes through posture.
A tilt of the head.
A body leaning toward another.
Two figures positioned close together.
Kennedy believed the human body could communicate affection, intimacy and emotional connection without relying on detailed facial expressions.
The Friendship Bench follows that artistic language.
CODA Gallery identifies it as a bronze measuring 54.5 by 40 by 28.5 inches.