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.
Recent movies
| # | Name | Character | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cameraman: The Life and Work of Jack Cardiff (2010) | Eric (archive footage) (uncredited) | - |
| 2 | Hugh Hefner: Playboy, Activist and Rebel (2009) | Self | - |
| 3 | Reflections of Evil (2002) | Host | 9 |
| 4 | Play It to the Bone (1999) | Tony Curtis (Ringside Fan) | 5 |
| 5 | Bounty Hunters 2: Hardball (1997) | Wald | - |
| 6 | The Celluloid Closet (1996) | Self | 7.4 |
| 7 | The Immortals (1995) | Dominic | - |
| 8 | Naked in New York (1993) | Carl Fisher | - |
| 9 | Center of the Web (1992) | Stephen Moore | - |
| 10 | Midnight (1989) | Mr. B | - |
| 11 | Club Life (1986) | Hector | - |
| 12 | Murder in Three Acts (1986) | Charles Cartwright | 7 |
| 13 | Insignificance (1985) | The Senator | 6 |
| 14 | BrainWaves (1983) | Dr. Clavius | - |
| 15 | The Million Dollar Face (1981) | Chester Masterson | - |
| 16 | The Mirror Crack'd (1980) | Martin N. Fenn | 7.5 |
| 17 | The Manitou (1978) | Harry Erskine | 6.7 |
| 18 | Sextette (1978) | Alexei Karansky | - |
| 19 | The Bad News Bears Go to Japan (1978) | Marvin Lazar | - |
| 20 | The Users (1978) | Randy Brent | - |
| 21 | The Last Tycoon (1976) | Rodriguez | 6 |
| 22 | The Count of Monte-Cristo (1975) | Fernand Morcerf Mondego | 6 |
| 23 | Monte Carlo or Bust! (1969) | Chester Schofield | 5 |
| 24 | The Boston Strangler (1968) | Albert DeSalvo | 6.3 |
| 25 | Rosemary's Baby (1968) | Donald Baumgart (voice) (uncredited) | 7.9 |
| 26 | Chamber of Horrors (1966) | Mr. Julian (uncredited) | 7 |
| 27 | Boeing, Boeing (1965) | Bernard Lawrence | 7 |
| 28 | The Great Race (1965) | The Great Leslie | 8.5 |
| 29 | Goodbye Charlie (1964) | George Wellington Tracy | 4 |
| 30 | Sex and the Single Girl (1964) | Bob Weston | 5.5 |
| 31 | Paris When It Sizzles (1964) | Actor Portraying Maurice or Philippe (uncredited) | 8 |
| 32 | The Outsider (1961) | Ira Hamilton Hayes | - |
| 33 | People, Hopes, Medals (1960) | Self | 6 |
| 34 | Spartacus (1960) | Antoninus | 7.3 |
| 35 | Some Like It Hot (1959) | Joe (Josephine) | 7.9 |
| 36 | Operation Petticoat (1959) | Lieutenant Nicholas Holden | 6 |
| 37 | The Defiant Ones (1958) | John 'Joker' Jackson | 7 |
| 38 | Kings Go Forth (1958) | Caporal Britt Harris | 9 |
| 39 | The Vikings (1958) | Eric | 7 |
| 40 | The Midnight Story (1957) | Joe Martini | 5 |
| 41 | Sweet Smell of Success (1957) | Sidney Falco | 6.7 |
| 42 | A Star Is Born World Premiere (1954) | Self | - |
| 43 | Houdini (1953) | Harry Houdini | 7 |
| 44 | Forbidden (1953) | Eddie Darrow | 5 |
| 45 | Woman in Hiding (1950) | Dave Shaw (voice) (uncredited) | 4 |
| 46 | Winchester '73 (1950) | Doan | 7.5 |
| 47 | Johnny Stool Pigeon (1949) | Joey Hyatt | 5 |
| 48 | City Across the River (1949) | Mitch (as Anthony Curtis) | 3 |
| 49 | Criss Cross (1949) | Gigolo (uncredited) | 6.5 |
| 50 | The Lady Gambles (1949) | Bellboy (as Anthony Curtis) | 4 |
