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Tony Curtis

Tony Curtis

Acting

Born June 3, 1925, Bronx, 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.

Filmography

Appearances as themselves (62)
  • 2024From Roger Moore with Love — Self (archive footage)
  • 2023Pictures of Ghosts — Self (archive footage)
  • 2022Jamie Lee Curtis: Hollywood Call of Freedom — Self (archive footage)
  • 2022Rat Pack — Self (archive footage)
  • 2021Morceaux de Cannes — Self (archive footage)
  • The UnXplained — Self (archive footage)
  • 2017The Fabulous Allan Carr — Self (archive footage)
  • 2014Marlon Brando: An Actor Named Desire — Self - Actor (archive footage)
  • Talking Pictures — Self (archive footage)
  • 2012Fascination: Unauthorized Story of Marilyn Monroe — Self (archive footage)
  • 2012Tony Curtis: Driven to Stardom — Self
  • 2011Marilyn at the Movies — Self (archive footage)
  • 2011That's Insignificance — Self
  • 2010Marilyn Monroe: I Want to Be Loved — Self
  • 2010Tony Curtis erzählt... — Self
  • 2009Hugh Hefner: Playboy, Activist and Rebel — Self
  • Shrink Rap — Self
  • The Graham Norton Show — Self
  • 2006Jerry Lewis - König der Komödianten — Self (archive footage)
  • 2004Hollywood Legenden — Self
  • 2003Hugh Hefner: American Playboy — Self
  • Un film et son époque — Self
  • 2001Nobody's Perfect: The Making of Some Like It Hot — Self
  • 2001Rescued from the Closet — Self
  • The Johannes B. Kerner Show — Self
  • The View — Self
  • 1996The Celluloid Closet — Self
  • 1995Roger Moore: A Matter of Class — Self
  • The Mrs Merton Show — Self
  • 1994A Century of Cinema — Self
  • 1992Hugh Hefner: Once Upon a Time — Self
  • This Morning — Self
  • Matin Bonheur — Self
  • Sacrée soirée — Self
  • The Dame Edna Experience — Self
  • 1986The Fantasy Film Worlds of George Pal — Self
  • Goldene Kamera — Self
  • 1983Hollywood Out-takes and Rare Footage — Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
  • Wetten, dass..? — Self
  • 1979Playboy's 25th Anniversary Celebration — Self
  • Please Turn the Page — Self
  • The Hollywood Greats — Self (archive footage)
  • People's Choice Awards — Self
  • Dinah! — Self
  • The American Film Institute Salute to ... — Self
  • V.I.P. Schaukel — Self
  • Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In — Self (uncredited)
  • The Dick Cavett Show — Self - Guest
  • The Late Late Show — Self
  • The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson — Self
  • 1960People, Hopes, Medals — Self
  • The Rosemary Clooney Show — Self
  • The Steve Allen Show — Self - Recipient, Self - Guest
  • 1955Allen in Movieland — Self
  • 1954A Star Is Born World Premiere — Self
  • The Oscars — Self
  • 1953The World's Most Beautiful Girls — Self
  • This Is Your Life — Self
  • The Colgate Comedy Hour — Self
  • What's My Line? — Self
  • Bambi — Self
  • The Ed Sullivan Show — Self
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