Tony Curtis

Acting

Born Jun 03, 1925

From Bronx, New York, USA

Died Sep 29, 2010

Tony Curtis (June 3, 1925 – September 29, 2010) was an American film actor whose career spanned six decades, but had his greatest popularity during the 1950s and early 1960s. He acted in over 100 films in roles covering a wide range of genres, from light comedy to serious drama. In his later years, Curtis made numerous television appearances. Although his early film roles were partly the result of his good looks, by the later half of the 1950's he became a notable and strong screen presence. He began proving himself to be a “fine dramatic actor,” having the range to act in numerous dramatic and comedy roles. In his earliest parts he acted in a string of "mediocre" films, including swashbucklers, westerns, light comedies, sports films, and a musical. However, by the time he starred in Houdini (1953) with his wife Janet Leigh, "his first clear success," notes critic David Thomson, his acting had progressed immensely. He won his first serious recognition as a skilled dramatic actor in Sweet Smell of Success (1957) with co-star Burt Lancaster. The following year he was nominated for an Oscar for Best Actor in another drama, The Defiant Ones (1958). Curtis then gave what many believe was his best acting, in a completely different role, the comedy Some Like It Hot (1959). Thomson calls it an "outrageous film," and it was voted the number 1 funniest film in history from a survey done by the American Film Institute. It costarred Jack Lemmon and Marilyn Monroe, and was directed by Billy Wilder. That was followed by Blake Edwards’ comedy Operation Petticoat (1959) with Cary Grant. They were both “frantic comedies,” and displayed "his impeccable comic timing." He often collaborated with Edwards on later films. His most significant serious part came in 1968 when he starred in the true-life drama The Boston Strangler, which some consider his "last major film role." The part reinforced his reputation as a serious actor with his "chilling portrayal" of serial killer Albert DeSalvo. He gained 30 pounds and had his face "rebuilt" with a false nose to look like the real DeSalvo. Curtis was the father of actresses Jamie Lee Curtis and Kelly Curtis by his first wife, actress Janet Leigh.

Tony Curtis

Known For

Spartacus

Rosemary's Baby

Some Like It Hot

The Vikings

Taras Bulba

The Count of Monte-Cristo

Chamber of Horrors

Operation Petticoat

The Last Tycoon

The Great Race

Filmography — Acting

Spartacus

Rosemary's Baby

Some Like It Hot

The Vikings

Taras Bulba

The Count of Monte-Cristo

Chamber of Horrors

Operation Petticoat

The Last Tycoon

The Great Race

Sex and the Single Girl

Sweet Smell of Success

Winchester '73

The Mirror Crack'd

The Boston Strangler

The Celluloid Closet

Criss Cross

Lepke

Trapeze

Paris When It Sizzles

Pepe

Sextette

Houdini

Captain Newman, M.D.

The Defiant Ones

The Lady Gambles

Insignificance

Francis

Play It to the Bone

Boeing, Boeing

Rat Pack

The Immortals

Naked in New York

You Can't Win 'Em All

Midnight

Cameraman: The Life and Work of Jack Cardiff

The List of Adrian Messenger

Who Was That Lady?

Monte Carlo or Bust!

The Users

Goodbye Charlie

The Bad News Bears Go to Japan

The Manitou

The Black Shield of Falworth

Sierra

Portrait of a Showgirl

BrainWaves

The Prince Who Was a Thief

The Purple Mask

A Star Is Born World Premiere

Half Nelson

Don't Make Waves

The Rat Race

Marlon Brando: An Actor Named Desire

Hollywood Out-takes and Rare Footage

Perry Mason: The Case of the Grimacing Governor

From Roger Moore with Love

Little Miss Marker

Johnny Stool Pigeon

The Great Impostor

Son of Ali Baba

Where Is Parsifal?

Stargames

The Legend of Marilyn Monroe

Pictures of Ghosts

Woman in Hiding

Inmates: A Love Story