Photo of Tony Curtis
Acting

Tony Curtis

Profession
Acting
Born
June 3, 1925 · Bronx, New York, USA
Died
September 29, 2010

Biography

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.

Known for

Rosemary's Baby poster
Rosemary's Baby
Film · 1968 · ★ 7.8
Some Like It Hot poster
Some Like It Hot
Film · 1959 · ★ 8.1
Spartacus poster
Spartacus
Film · 1960 · ★ 7.5
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation poster
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
Series · 2000 · ★ 7.6
The Flintstones poster
The Flintstones
Series · 1960 · ★ 7.4
Sweet Smell of Success poster
Sweet Smell of Success
Film · 1957 · ★ 7.6
Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman poster
Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman
Series · 1993 · ★ 6.9
Operation Petticoat poster
Operation Petticoat
Film · 1959 · ★ 7.2
Winchester '73 poster
Winchester '73
Film · 1950 · ★ 7.3
Roseanne poster
Roseanne
Series · 1988 · ★ 6.8
The Great Race poster
The Great Race
Film · 1965 · ★ 7.1
The Vikings poster
The Vikings
Film · 1958 · ★ 7.0

Filmography