Tony Curtis | WatchedThis

Tony Curtis

Tony Curtis

Acting

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.

Filmography Movies

Acting

Poster for Some Like It Hot
MOVIE

Some Like It Hot

8.1(3.9K)
Some Like It Hot
Joe (Josephine)
Poster for Spartacus
MOVIE

Spartacus

7.5(2.4K)
Spartacus
Antoninus
Poster for Sweet Smell of Success
MOVIE

Sweet Smell of Success

7.6(0.6K)
Sweet Smell of Success
Sidney Falco
Poster for Don't Make Waves
MOVIE

Don't Make Waves

5.2(0.0K)
Don't Make Waves
Carlo Cofield
Poster for The Count of Monte-Cristo
MOVIE

The Count of Monte-Cristo

6.8(0.2K)
The Count of Monte-Cristo
Fernand Morcerf Mondego
Poster for Casanova & Co.
MOVIE

Casanova & Co.

3.9(0.0K)
Casanova & Co.
Giacomo Casanova / Giacomino
Poster for Play It to the Bone
MOVIE

Play It to the Bone

5.4(0.2K)
Play It to the Bone
Tony Curtis (Ringside Fan)
Poster for Paris When It Sizzles
MOVIE

Paris When It Sizzles

6.3(0.2K)
Paris When It Sizzles
Actor Portraying Maurice or Philippe (uncredited)
Poster for Criss Cross
MOVIE

Criss Cross

7.1(0.2K)
Criss Cross
Gigolo (uncredited)
Poster for Center of the Web
MOVIE

Center of the Web

4.0(0.0K)
Center of the Web
Stephen Moore

Production

Poster for Sweet Smell of Success
MOVIE

Sweet Smell of Success

7.6(0.6K)
Sweet Smell of Success
Executive Producer
Poster for Sex and the Single Girl
MOVIE

Sex and the Single Girl

6.5(0.1K)
Sex and the Single Girl
Executive Producer
Poster for Tony Curtis on 'Some Like It Hot'
MOVIE

Tony Curtis on 'Some Like It Hot'

8.0(0.0K)
Tony Curtis on 'Some Like It Hot'
Thanks
Poster for The Legacy of 'Some Like It Hot'
MOVIE

The Legacy of 'Some Like It Hot'

8.5(0.0K)
The Legacy of 'Some Like It Hot'
Thanks
Poster for The Making of 'Some Like It Hot'
MOVIE

The Making of 'Some Like It Hot'

7.0(0.0K)
The Making of 'Some Like It Hot'
Thanks
Poster for Captain Newman, M.D.
MOVIE

Captain Newman, M.D.

6.7(0.0K)
Captain Newman, M.D.
Executive Producer
Poster for Norman Jewison, Film Maker
MOVIE

Norman Jewison, Film Maker

7.0(0.0K)
Norman Jewison, Film Maker
Thanks
Poster for Don't Make Waves
MOVIE

Don't Make Waves

5.2(0.0K)
Don't Make Waves
Executive Producer
Poster for Not With My Wife, You Don't!
MOVIE

Not With My Wife, You Don't!

5.8(0.0K)
Not With My Wife, You Don't!
Executive Producer
Poster for The Vikings
MOVIE

The Vikings

7.0(0.4K)
The Vikings
Executive Producer

Gallery

Tony Curtis portrait
Tony Curtis portrait
Tony Curtis portrait
Tony Curtis portrait
Tony Curtis portrait
Tony Curtis portrait
Tony Curtis portrait
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