Tony Curtis
Acting
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.
Media of
Tony Curtis
Photos (21)
Filmography of
Tony Curtis
Self (archive footage)
... 2024
Self (archive footage)
... 2022
... 2017
Self - Actor (archive footage)
... 2014
Self (archive footage)
... 2012
... 2012
... 2011
... 2010
Eric (archive footage) (uncredited)
... 2010
... 2010
... 2010
... 2009
Mr. Schwartz
... 2008
... 2006
... 2006
Self (archive footage)
... 2006
Self
... 2004
... 2003
Host
... 2002
... 2001
... 2001
... 2001
Tony Curtis (Ringside Fan)
... 1999
Bernard (voice)
... 1998
Lenny Star Springer
... 1998
King Fendel
... 1998
Tony Curtis
... 1997
Jack Steele
... 1997
... 1997
Self
... 1996
... 1995
Dominic
... 1995
Johnny Steele
... 1994
Lucky Bergstrom
... 1994
Self
... 1994
Carl Fisher
... 1993
Aziru / Dr. Mohassid
... 1993
Alexander Yardley
... 1992
Stephen Moore
... 1992
... 1992
Narrator (voice) / Self
... 1991
Copella
... 1991
Max Schloss
... 1990
J.P. Shelldrake
... 1990
WIlly La Rouge
... 1989
Mr. B
... 1989
Archimedes Porter
... 1989
Mr. Cornfield
... 1988
... 1987
Charles Cartwright
... 1986
Charles Foster
... 1986
... 1986
Hector
... 1986
Sam Giancana
... 1986
The Senator
... 1985
... 1985
Parsifal Katzanella-Boden
... 1984
Dr. Clavius
... 1983
Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
... 1983
Ernie Stoddard
... 1983
Col. Iago
... 1982
Joey DeLeon
... 1982
Harry Houdini (archive footage) (uncredited)
... 1982
Chester Masterson
... 1981
Flanagan
... 1981
Martin N. Fenn
... 1980
Robert Talbot
... 1980
David O. Selznick
... 1980
Blackie
... 1980
Danny Wilde
... 1980
Frank Renzetti
... 1979
... 1979
Danny Wilde/Aunt Sophie Schwartz
... 1979
Randy Brent
... 1978
Marvin Lazar
... 1978
Harry Erskine
... 1978
Alexei Karansky
... 1978
Danny Wilde
... 1977
Giacomo Casanova / Giacomino
... 1977
Rodriguez
... 1976
Danny Wilde
... 1976
Fernand Morcerf Mondego
... 1975
Louis 'Lepke' Buchalter
... 1975
Danny Wilde
... 1975
Danny Wilde
... 1974
Danny Wilde
... 1974
Joey Jordan
... 1973
Danny Wilde
... 1973
Self (uncredited)
... 1971
Shannon Gambroni
... 1970
Adam Dyer
... 1970
Chester Schofield
... 1969
Albert DeSalvo
... 1968
Donald Baumgart (voice) (uncredited)
... 1968
Guerrando da Montone
... 1967
Carlo Cofield
... 1967
Nick Johnson
... 1966
... 1966
Tom Ferris
... 1966
Mr. Julian
... 1966
Bernard Lawrence
... 1965
The Great Leslie
... 1965
Bob Weston
... 1964
George Wellington Tracy
... 1964
Terry Williams
... 1964
Actor Portraying Maurice or Philippe (uncredited)
... 1964
Cpl. Jackson "Jake" Leibowitz
... 1963
Organ Grinder
... 1963
Steve McCluskey
... 1962
Andrei Bulba
... 1962
Ira Hamilton Hayes
... 1961
Ferdinand Waldo Demara Jr. / Martin Donner / Dr. Gilbert / Ben. W. Stone / Dr. Joseph Mornay / Robert Boyd Hammnd
... 1960
Tony Curtis
... 1960
Antoninus
... 1960
Pete Hammond Jr.
... 1960
David Wilson
... 1960
... 1960
Lieutenant Nicholas Holden
... 1959
Joe (Josephine)
... 1959
Cpl. Paul Hodges
... 1958
John 'Joker' Jackson
... 1958
Caporal Britt Harris
... 1958
Eric
... 1958
Sidney Falco
... 1957
Joe Martini
... 1957
Cory
... 1957
Ben Matthews
... 1956
Tino Orsini
... 1956
Tony
... 1956
Eddie Quaid / Packy Glennon
... 1955
Self
... 1955
Rene de Traviere / The Purple Mask
... 1955
Jerry Florea
... 1955
Joe Maxwell
... 1954
... 1954
Myles Falworth
... 1954
Johnny Dark
... 1954
... 1954
Burke
... 1954
Eddie Darrow
... 1953
Nick Bonelli
... 1953
Harry Houdini
... 1953
... 1953
Kashma Baba
... 1952
Paul Callan
... 1952
Alvah Morrell
... 1952
Nightclub Patron
... 1952
... 1952
... 1952
Baffo
... 1951
... 1951
... 1951
Kit Dalton
... 1950
Doan
... 1950
Brent Coulter (as Anthony Cutis)
... 1950
Pepe
... 1950
Captain Jones
... 1950
Dave Shaw (voice) (uncredited)
... 1950
Bellboy (as Anthony Curtis)
... 1949
Joey Hyatt (as Anthony Curtis)
... 1949
Mitch (as Anthony Curtis)
... 1949
Gigolo (uncredited)
... 1949
