Tony Curtis

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 60 films in roles covering a wide range of genres, from light comedy to serious drama. In his later years, Curtis made numerous television appearances.
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," which 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. Those two “frantic comedies” were among his many collaborations with Edwards, and displayed “his empeccable comic timing.” He gave another strong comedic performance in ‘’The Rat Race’’ (1960).

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 de Salvo. He gained 30 pounds and had his face “rebuilt” with a false nose to look like the real de Salvo.

Curtis was the father of actresses Jamie Lee Curtis and Kelly Curtis, who he fathered with his wife, actress Janet Leigh. He died of a heart attack in Henderson, Nevada on September 29, 2010.