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Tony Curtis
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 a…
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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 and shows, newest first
- 2026
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2024
From Roger Moore with Love
Movie Self (archive footage)
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2023
Pictures of Ghosts
Movie Self (archive footage)
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2022
Jamie Lee Curtis: Hollywood Call of Freedom
Movie Self (archive footage)
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2022
Dream Girl: The Making of Marilyn Monroe
TV show Tony Curtis
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2022
Rat Pack
Movie Self (archive footage)
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2021
Morceaux de Cannes
Movie Self (archive footage)
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2019
The UnXplained
TV show Self (archive footage)
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2017
Amicalement vôtre : Hollywood au service de sa Majesté
Movie Danny Wilde
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2017
The Fabulous Allan Carr
Movie Self (archive)
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2014
Marlon Brando: An Actor Named Desire
Movie Self - Actor (archive footage)
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2013
Talking Pictures
TV show Self (archive footage)
- 2012
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2012
Fascination: Unauthorized Story of Marilyn Monroe
Movie Self (archive footage)
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2012
Tony Curtis: Driven to Stardom
Movie Self
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2011
Marilyn at the Movies
Movie Self (archive footage)
More credits
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2011
That's Insignificance
Movie Self
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2010
Tony Curtis erzählt...
Movie Self
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2010
Cameraman: The Life and Work of Jack Cardiff
Movie Eric (archive footage) (uncredited)
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2010
Marilyn Monroe: I Want to Be Loved
Movie Self
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2009
Hugh Hefner: Playboy, Activist and Rebel
Movie Self
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2009
Hollywood sul Tevere
Movie
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2008
David & Fatima
Movie Mr. Schwartz
- 2008
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2007
Shrink Rap
TV show Self
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2007
The Graham Norton Show
TV show Self
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2006
The Legacy of 'Some Like It Hot'
Movie Self
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2006
The Making of 'Some Like It Hot'
Movie Self
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2006
Jerry Lewis - König der Komödianten
Movie Self (archive footage)
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2004
Hollywood Legenden
Movie Self
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2003
Hugh Hefner: American Playboy
Movie Self
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2003
Hope & Faith
TV show Morris
- 2003
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2003
Un film et son époque
TV show Self
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2002
Reflections of Evil
Movie Host
- 2001
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2001
Rescued from the Closet
Movie Self
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2001
Tony Curtis on 'Some Like It Hot'
Movie Self
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2000
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
TV show Tony Curtis
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1999
Play It to the Bone
Movie Tony Curtis (Ringside Fan)
