Tony Curtis
Photo from TMDB

Person

Tony Curtis

Known for
Acting
Born
June 3, 1925
Died
September 29, 2010
Place of birth
Bronx, New York, USA
Also known as
Bernard Herschel Schwartz, Anthony Curtis, Тони Кертис

IMDb

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.

Biography from TMDB, which often draws on Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source · CC BY-SA 4.0

In Catlg

1 Work in the catalog credit them.

Acting (1)

Filmography

  • 100 Years of the Idiot: A Jerry Lewis CentenaryFilm · 2026 · Acting
  • From Roger Moore with LoveFilm · 2024 · as Self (archive footage)
  • Pictures of GhostsFilm · 2023 · as Self (archive footage)
  • Dream Girl: The Making of Marilyn MonroeTV · 2022 · as Tony Curtis · 3 episodes
  • Jamie Lee Curtis: Hollywood Call of FreedomFilm · 2022 · as Self (archive footage)
  • Rat PackFilm · 2022 · as Self (archive footage)
  • Morceaux de CannesFilm · 2021 · as Self (archive footage)
  • The UnXplainedTV · 2019 · as Self (archive footage) · 1 episode
  • Amicalement vôtre : Hollywood au service de sa MajestéFilm · 2017 · as Danny Wilde
  • The Fabulous Allan CarrFilm · 2017 · as Self (archive footage)
  • Marlon Brando: An Actor Named DesireFilm · 2014 · as Self - Actor (archive footage)
  • Talking PicturesTV · 2013 · as Self (archive footage) · 1 episode
  • Fascination: Unauthorized Story of Marilyn MonroeFilm · 2012 · as Self (archive footage)
  • Marilyn Monroe: In The MoviesFilm · 2012 · Acting
  • Tony Curtis: Driven to StardomFilm · 2012 · as Self
  • Marilyn at the MoviesFilm · 2011 · as Self (archive footage)
  • That's InsignificanceFilm · 2011 · as Self
  • Cameraman: The Life and Work of Jack CardiffFilm · 2010 · as Eric (archive footage) (uncredited)
  • Marilyn Monroe: I Want to Be LovedFilm · 2010 · as Self
  • Tony Curtis erzählt...Film · 2010 · as Self
  • Hollywood sul TevereFilm · 2009 · Acting
  • Hugh Hefner: Playboy, Activist and RebelFilm · 2009 · as Self
  • David & FatimaFilm · 2008 · as Mr. Schwartz
  • The Jill & Tony Curtis StoryFilm · 2008 · Acting
  • Shrink RapTV · 2007 · as Self · 1 episode
  • The Graham Norton ShowTV · 2007 · as Self · 1 episode
  • Jerry Lewis - König der KomödiantenFilm · 2006 · as Self (archive footage)
  • The Legacy of 'Some Like It Hot'Film · 2006 · as Self
  • The Making of 'Some Like It Hot'Film · 2006 · as Self
  • Hollywood LegendenFilm · 2004 · as Self
  • Hope & FaithTV · 2003 · as Morris · 1 episode
  • Hugh Hefner: American PlayboyFilm · 2003 · as Self
  • Playboy's 50th Anniversary CelebrationFilm · 2003 · Acting
  • Un film et son époqueTV · 2003 · as Self · 1 episode
  • Nobody's Perfect: The Making of Some Like It HotFilm · 2001 · as Self
  • Rescued from the ClosetFilm · 2001 · as Self
  • Tony Curtis on 'Some Like It Hot'Film · 2001 · as Self
  • CSI: Crime Scene InvestigationTV · 2000 · as Tony Curtis · 1 episode
  • Play It to the BoneFilm · 1999 · as Tony Curtis (Ringside Fan)
  • Louis & FrankFilm · 1998 · as Lenny Star Springer
  • Roxanne's Best Christmas EverFilm · 1998 · as Bernard (voice)
  • StargamesFilm · 1998 · as King Fendel
  • The Johannes B. Kerner ShowTV · 1998 · as Self · 1 episode
  • Bounty Hunters 2: HardballFilm · 1997 · as Wald
  • Elvis Meets NixonFilm · 1997 · as Tony Curtis
  • The Continued Adventures of Reptile ManFilm · 1997 · as Jack Steele
  • The ViewTV · 1997 · as Self · 1 episode
  • Suddenly SusanTV · 1996 · as Peter DiCaprio · 1 episode
  • The Celluloid ClosetFilm · 1996 · as Self
  • Roger Moore: A Matter of ClassFilm · 1995 · as Self
  • The ImmortalsFilm · 1995 · as Dominic
  • The Mrs Merton ShowTV · 1995 · as Self · 1 episode
  • A Century of CinemaFilm · 1994 · as Self
  • Bandit: Beauty and the BanditFilm · 1994 · as Lucky Bergstrom
  • Perry Mason: The Case of the Grimacing GovernorFilm · 1994 · as Johnny Steele
  • Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of SupermanTV · 1993 · as Dr. Mamba · 1 episode
  • Naked in New YorkFilm · 1993 · as Carl Fisher
  • The Mummy LivesFilm · 1993 · as Aziru / Dr. Mohassid
  • Center of the WebFilm · 1992 · as Stephen Moore
  • Christmas in ConnecticutFilm · 1992 · as Alexander Yardley
  • Hollywood Babylon IIFilm · 1992 · as Narrator
  • Hugh Hefner: Once Upon a TimeFilm · 1992 · as Self
  • Joseph Cornell: Worlds in a BoxFilm · 1991 · as Narrator (voice) / Self
  • Prime TargetFilm · 1991 · as Copella
  • Lobster Man from MarsFilm · 1990 · as J.P. Shelldrake
  • Thanksgiving DayFilm · 1990 · as Max Schloss
  • MidnightFilm · 1989 · as Mr. B
  • Tarzan in ManhattanFilm · 1989 · as Archimedes Porter
  • Walter and Carlo in AmericaFilm · 1989 · as WIlly La Rouge
  • RoseanneTV · 1988 · Acting · 1 episode
  • The Passenger – Welcome to GermanyFilm · 1988 · as Mr. Cornfield
  • This MorningTV · 1988 · as Self · 1 episode
  • Matin BonheurTV · 1987 · as Self · 1 episode
  • Sacrée soiréeTV · 1987 · as Self · 1 episode
  • Sparky's Magic PianoFilm · 1987 · Acting
  • The Dame Edna ExperienceTV · 1987 · as Self · 1 episode
  • BanterFilm · 1986 · as Charles Foster
  • Club LifeFilm · 1986 · as Hector
  • Mafia PrincessFilm · 1986 · as Sam Giancana
  • Murder in Three ActsFilm · 1986 · as Charles Cartwright
  • The Fantasy Film Worlds of George PalFilm · 1986 · as Self
  • Half NelsonFilm · 1985 · Acting
  • InsignificanceFilm · 1985 · as The Senator
  • Goldene KameraTV · 1984 · as Self · 1 episode
  • Where Is Parsifal?Film · 1984 · as Parsifal Katzanella-Boden
  • BalboaFilm · 1983 · as Ernie Stoddard
  • BrainWavesFilm · 1983 · as Dr. Clavius
  • Hollywood Out-takes and Rare FootageFilm · 1983 · as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
  • Black CommandoFilm · 1982 · as Col. Iago
  • Magic with the StarsFilm · 1982 · as Harry Houdini (archive footage) (uncredited)
  • Portrait of a ShowgirlFilm · 1982 · as Joey DeLeon
  • Inmates: A Love StoryFilm · 1981 · as Flanagan
  • The Million Dollar FaceFilm · 1981 · as Chester Masterson
  • Wetten, dass..?TV · 1981 · as Self · 1 episode
  • It Rained All Night the Day I LeftFilm · 1980 · as Robert Talbot
  • Little Miss MarkerFilm · 1980 · as Blackie
  • The MasqueradersFilm · 1980 · as Danny Wilde
  • The Mirror Crack'dFilm · 1980 · as Martin N. Fenn
  • The Scarlett O'Hara WarFilm · 1980 · as David O. Selznick
  • Death Becomes MeFilm · 1979 · as Danny Wilde (archive footage)
  • Playboy's 25th Anniversary CelebrationFilm · 1979 · as Self
  • Title ShotFilm · 1979 · as Frank Renzetti
  • SextetteFilm · 1978 · as Alexei Karansky
  • The Bad News Bears Go to JapanFilm · 1978 · as Marvin Lazar
  • The ManitouFilm · 1978 · as Harry Erskine
  • The UsersFilm · 1978 · as Randy Brent
  • Vega$TV · 1978 · as Roth · 23 episodes
  • Casanova & Co.Film · 1977 · as Giacomo Casanova / Giacomino
  • Please Turn the PageTV · 1977 · as Self · 1 episode
  • The Hollywood GreatsTV · 1977 · as Self (archive footage) · 2 episodes
  • The Last Appointment!Film · 1977 · as Danny Wilde
  • The Last TycoonFilm · 1976 · as Rodriguez
  • The SwitchFilm · 1976 · as Danny Wilde
  • LepkeFilm · 1975 · as Louis 'Lepke' Buchalter
  • McCoyTV · 1975 · as McCoy · 4 episodes
  • People's Choice AwardsTV · 1975 · as Self · 1 episode
  • Sporting ChanceFilm · 1975 · as Danny Wilde (archive footage)
  • The Count of Monte-CristoFilm · 1975 · as Fernand Morcerf Mondego
  • Dinah!TV · 1974 · as Self · 1 episode
  • London ConspiracyFilm · 1974 · as Danny Wilde (archive footage)
  • Mission: Monte CarloFilm · 1974 · as Danny Wilde (archive footage)
  • The American Film Institute Salute to ...TV · 1973 · as Self · 2 episodes
  • The Persuaders!Film · 1973 · as Danny Wilde
  • The Third Girl from the LeftFilm · 1973 · as Joey Jordan
  • Norman Jewison, Film MakerFilm · 1971 · as Self (uncredited)
  • The Persuaders!TV · 1971 · as Danny Wilde · 24 episodes
  • V.I.P. SchaukelTV · 1971 · as Self · 1 episode
  • Suppose They Gave a War and Nobody Came?Film · 1970 · as Shannon Gambroni
  • You Can't Win 'Em AllFilm · 1970 · as Adam Dyer
  • Bracken's WorldTV · 1969 · Acting · 1 episode
  • Monte Carlo or Bust!Film · 1969 · as Chester Schofield
  • Rosemary's BabyFilm · 1968 · as Donald Baumgart (voice) (uncredited)
  • Rowan & Martin's Laugh-InTV · 1968 · as Self (uncredited) · 4 episodes
  • The Boston StranglerFilm · 1968 · as Albert DeSalvo
  • The Dick Cavett ShowTV · 1968 · as Self - Guest · 1 episode
  • Don't Make WavesFilm · 1967 · as Carlo Cofield
  • On My Way to the Crusades, I Met a Girl Who...Film · 1967 · as Guerrando da Montone
  • Arrivederci, Baby!Film · 1966 · as Nick Johnson
  • Chamber of HorrorsFilm · 1966 · as Mr. Julian (uncredited)
  • Not With My Wife, You Don't!Film · 1966 · as Tom Ferris
  • The Legend of Marilyn MonroeFilm · 1966 · Acting
  • Boeing, BoeingFilm · 1965 · as Bernard Lawrence
  • The Great RaceFilm · 1965 · as The Great Leslie
  • Goodbye CharlieFilm · 1964 · as George Wellington Tracy
  • Paris When It SizzlesFilm · 1964 · as Actor Portraying Maurice or Philippe (uncredited)
  • Sex and the Single GirlFilm · 1964 · as Bob Weston
  • Wild and WonderfulFilm · 1964 · as Terry Williams
  • Captain Newman, M.D.Film · 1963 · as Cpl. Jackson "Jake" Leibowitz
  • The List of Adrian MessengerFilm · 1963 · as Organ Grinder
  • 40 Pounds of TroubleFilm · 1962 · as Steve McCluskey
  • Taras BulbaFilm · 1962 · as Andrei Bulba
  • The Late Late ShowTV · 1962 · as Self · 1 episode
  • The Tonight Show Starring Johnny CarsonTV · 1962 · as Self · 5 episodes
  • The OutsiderFilm · 1961 · as Ira Hamilton Hayes
  • People, Hopes, MedalsFilm · 1960 · as Self
  • PepeFilm · 1960 · as Tony Curtis
  • SpartacusFilm · 1960 · as Antoninus
  • The FlintstonesTV · 1960 · as Stony Curtis (voice) · 1 episode
  • The Great ImpostorFilm · 1960 · as Ferdinand Waldo Demara Jr. / Martin Donner / Dr. Gilbert / Ben. W. Stone / Dr. Joseph Mornay / Robert Boyd Hammnd
  • The Rat RaceFilm · 1960 · as Pete Hammond Jr.
  • Who Was That Lady?Film · 1960 · as David Wilson
  • Operation PetticoatFilm · 1959 · as Lieutenant Nicholas Holden
  • Some Like It HotFilm · 1959 · as Joe (Josephine)
  • StartimeTV · 1959 · as The Juggler · 1 episode
  • Kings Go ForthFilm · 1958 · as Caporal Britt Harris
  • The Defiant OnesFilm · 1958 · as John 'Joker' Jackson
  • The Perfect FurloughFilm · 1958 · as Paul Hodges
  • The VikingsFilm · 1958 · as Eric
  • Mister CoryFilm · 1957 · as Cory
  • Sweet Smell of SuccessFilm · 1957 · as Sidney Falco
  • The Midnight StoryFilm · 1957 · as Joe Martini
  • NightmareFilm · 1956 · as Tony
  • The Rawhide YearsFilm · 1956 · as Ben Matthews
  • The Rosemary Clooney ShowTV · 1956 · as Self · 1 episode
  • The Steve Allen ShowTV · 1956 · as Self - Recipient · 1 episode
  • TrapezeFilm · 1956 · as Tino Orsini
  • Allen in MovielandFilm · 1955 · as Self
  • Six Bridges to CrossFilm · 1955 · as Jerry Florea
  • The Purple MaskFilm · 1955 · as Rene de Traviere / The Purple Mask
  • The Square JungleFilm · 1955 · as Eddie Quaid / Packy Glennon
  • A Star Is Born World PremiereFilm · 1954 · as Self
  • BeachheadFilm · 1954 · as Burke
  • Johnny DarkFilm · 1954 · as Johnny Dark
  • Miss Glucksman Visits HollywoodFilm · 1954 · Acting
  • So This Is ParisFilm · 1954 · as Joe Maxwell
  • The Black Shield of FalworthFilm · 1954 · as Myles Falworth
  • ForbiddenFilm · 1953 · as Eddie Darrow
  • General Electric TheaterTV · 1953 · as Mario Galindo · 1 episode
  • HoudiniFilm · 1953 · as Harry Houdini
  • The All AmericanFilm · 1953 · as Nick Bonelli
  • The OscarsTV · 1953 · as Self · 4 episodes
  • The World's Most Beautiful GirlsFilm · 1953 · as Self
  • An Eye for an EyeFilm · 1952 · Acting
  • Come Back Little ShiksaFilm · 1952 · Acting
  • Flesh and FuryFilm · 1952 · as Paul Callan
  • Meet Danny WilsonFilm · 1952 · as Nightclub Patron
  • No Room for the GroomFilm · 1952 · as Alvah Morrell
  • Son of Ali BabaFilm · 1952 · as Kashma Baba
  • This Is Your LifeTV · 1952 · as Self · 1 episode
  • A Spot In The ShadeFilm · 1951 · Acting
  • Fairfax AvenueFilm · 1951 · Acting
  • NightmareFilm · 1951 · Acting
  • Schlitz Playhouse of StarsTV · 1951 · as Charlie · 1 episode
  • The Prince Who Was a ThiefFilm · 1951 · as Julna
  • The Re-InforcerFilm · 1951 · as Tony Boffo
  • Watch On The LimeFilm · 1951 · Acting
  • FrancisFilm · 1950 · as Captain Jones
  • I Was a ShoplifterFilm · 1950 · as Pepe
  • Kansas RaidersFilm · 1950 · as Kit Dalton
  • SierraFilm · 1950 · as Brent Coulter
  • The Colgate Comedy HourTV · 1950 · as Self · 4 episodes
  • What's My Line?TV · 1950 · as Self · 1 episode
  • Winchester '73Film · 1950 · as Doan
  • Woman in HidingFilm · 1950 · as Dave Shaw (voice) (uncredited)
  • City Across the RiverFilm · 1949 · as Mitch (as Anthony Curtis)
  • Criss CrossFilm · 1949 · as Gigolo (uncredited)
  • How to Smuggle a Hernia Across the BorderFilm · 1949 · Acting
  • Johnny Stool PigeonFilm · 1949 · as Joey Hyatt
  • The Lady GamblesFilm · 1949 · as Bellboy (as Anthony Curtis)
  • BambiTV · 1948 · as Self · 2 episodes
  • The Ed Sullivan ShowTV · 1948 · as Self · 3 episodes

Filmography from TMDB. This product uses TMDB and the TMDB APIs but is not endorsed, certified, or otherwise approved by TMDB.

Sources