Tony Curtis

Known for ActingBorn 1925-06-03Died 2010-09-29Bronx, New York, USA

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.Read more

Movies & web series

Un film et son époque

The Continued Adventures of Reptile Man

Mafia Princess

The Last Appointment!

Hugh Hefner: American Playboy

The Third Girl from the Left

Rat Pack

People's Choice Awards

Magic with the Stars

The Legacy of 'Some Like It Hot'

So This Is Paris

Portrait of a Showgirl

Bambi

A Century of Cinema

Pictures of Ghosts

London Conspiracy

From Roger Moore with Love

Marilyn Monroe, la célébrité à tout prix

Tony Curtis on 'Some Like It Hot'

The Persuaders!

The Million Dollar Face

Inmates: A Love Story

Title Shot

Some Like It Hot

The Johannes B. Kerner Show

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation

Roger Moore: A Matter of Class

The Rosemary Clooney Show

A Star Is Born World Premiere

Tony Curtis: Driven to Stardom

Rosemary's Baby

How to Smuggle a Hernia Across the Border

Thanksgiving Day

V.I.P. Schaukel

The Persuaders!

Marlon Brando: An Actor Named Desire

Fascination: Unauthorized Story of Marilyn Monroe

The Graham Norton Show

The Fantasy Film Worlds of George Pal

Bracken's World

Amicalement vôtre : Hollywood au service de sa Majesté

Sweet Smell of Success

The Celluloid Closet

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

Spartacus

Marilyn Monroe: In The Movies

Shrink Rap

The Making of 'Some Like It Hot'