Acting · Bronx, New York, USA · Born June 3, 1925
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.
MovieFrom Roger Moore with Love
2024
as Self (archive footage)
MoviePictures of Ghosts
2023
as Self (archive footage)
MovieJamie Lee Curtis: Hollywood Call of Freedom
2022
as Self (archive footage)
TVMarilyn Monroe, la célébrité à tout prix
2022
as Tony Curtis
MovieRat Pack
2022
as Self (archive footage)
MovieMorceaux de Cannes
2021
TVThe UnXplained
2019
as Self (archive footage)
MovieAmicalement vôtre : Hollywood au service de sa Majesté
2017
as Danny Wilde
MovieThe Fabulous Allan Carr
2017
as Self (archive)
MovieMarlon Brando: An Actor Named Desire
2014
as Self - Actor (archive footage)
TVTalking Pictures
2013
as Self (archive footage)
Marilyn Monroe: In The Movies
2012
MovieFascination: Unauthorized Story of Marilyn Monroe
2012
as Self (archive footage)
MovieTony Curtis: Driven to Stardom
2012
as Self
MovieMarilyn at the Movies
2011
as Self (archive footage)
MovieThat's Insignificance
2011
as Self
Tony Curtis erzählt...
2010
as Self
MovieCameraman: The Life and Work of Jack Cardiff
2010
as Eric (archive footage) (uncredited)
MovieMarilyn Monroe: I Want to Be Loved
2010
as Self
MovieHugh Hefner: Playboy, Activist and Rebel
2009
as Self
MovieHollywood sul Tevere
2009
MovieDavid & Fatima
2008
as Mr. Schwartz
MovieThe Jill & Tony Curtis Story
2008
TVShrink Rap
2007
as Self
TVThe Graham Norton Show
2007
as Self
MovieThe Legacy of 'Some Like It Hot'
2006
as Self
MovieThe Making of 'Some Like It Hot'
2006
as Self
Jerry Lewis - König der Komödianten
2006
as Self (archive footage)
Hollywood Legenden
2004
as Self
MovieHugh Hefner: American Playboy
2003
as Self
TVHope & Faith
2003
as Morris
MoviePlayboy's 50th Anniversary Celebration
2003
TVUn film et son époque
2003
as Self
MovieReflections of Evil
2002
as Host
MovieNobody's Perfect: The Making of Some Like It Hot
2001
as Self
MovieRescued from the Closet
2001
as Self
MovieTony Curtis on 'Some Like It Hot'
2001
as Self
TVCSI: Crime Scene Investigation
2000
as Tony Curtis
MoviePlay It to the Bone
1999
as Tony Curtis (Ringside Fan)
MovieRoxanne's Best Christmas Ever
1998
as Bernard (voice)
MovieLouis & Frank
1998
as Lenny Star Springer
MovieStargames
1998
as King Fendel
The Johannes B. Kerner Show
1998
as Self
MovieElvis Meets Nixon
1997
as Tony Curtis
TVThe View
1997
as Self
MovieThe Continued Adventures of Reptile Man
1997
as Jack Steele
MovieBounty Hunters 2: Hardball
1997
as Wald
TVSuddenly Susan
1996
as Peter DiCaprio
MovieThe Celluloid Closet
1996
as Self
MovieRoger Moore: A Matter of Class
1995
as Self
MovieThe Immortals
1995
as Dominic
TVThe Mrs Merton Show
1995
as Self
MoviePerry Mason: The Case of the Grimacing Governor
1994
as Johnny Steele
MovieBandit: Beauty and the Bandit
1994
as Lucky Bergstrom
MovieA Century of Cinema
1994
as Self
MovieNaked in New York
1993
as Carl Fisher
TVLois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman
1993
as Dr. Mamba
MovieThe Mummy Lives
1993
as Aziru / Dr. Mohassid
MovieChristmas in Connecticut
1992
as Alexander Yardley
MovieCenter of the Web
1992
as Stephen Moore
Hugh Hefner: Once Upon a Time
1992
as Self
MovieJoseph Cornell: Worlds in a Box
1991
as Narrator (voice) / Self
MoviePrime Target
1991
as Copella
MovieThanksgiving Day
1990
as Max Schloss
MovieLobster Man from Mars
1990
as J.P. Shelldrake
MovieWalter and Carlo in America
1989
as WIlly La Rouge
MovieMidnight
1989
as Mr. B
MovieTarzan in Manhattan
1989
as Archimedes Porter
TVRoseanne
1988
TVThis Morning
1988
as Self
MovieThe Passenger – Welcome to Germany
1988
as Mr. Cornfield
TVThe Dame Edna Experience
1987
as Self
TVSacrée soirée
1987
as Self
TVMatin Bonheur
1987
as Self
MovieSparky's Magic Piano
1987
MovieMurder in Three Acts
1986
as Charles Cartwright
MovieBanter
1986
as Charles Foster
MovieThe Fantasy Film Worlds of George Pal
1986
as Self
MovieClub Life
1986
as Hector
MovieMafia Princess
1986
as Sam Giancana
MovieInsignificance
1985
as The Senator
MovieHalf Nelson
1985
Goldene Kamera
1984
as Self
MovieWhere Is Parsifal?
1984
as Parsifal Katzanella-Boden
MovieBrainWaves
1983
as Dr. Clavius
MovieHollywood Out-takes and Rare Footage
1983
as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
MovieBalboa
1983
as Ernie Stoddard
MovieBlack Commando
1982
as Col. Iago
MoviePortrait of a Showgirl
1982
as Joey DeLeon
MovieMagic with the Stars
1982
as Harry Houdini (archive footage) (uncredited)
MovieThe Million Dollar Face
1981
as Chester Masterson
TVWetten, dass..?
1981
as Self
MovieInmates: A Love Story
1981
as Flanagan
MovieIt Rained All Night the Day I Left
1980
as Robert Talbot
MovieThe Scarlett O'Hara War
1980
as David O. Selznick
MovieLittle Miss Marker
1980
as Blackie
MovieThe Mirror Crack'd
1980
as Martin N. Fenn
MovieThe Masqueraders
1980
as Danny Wilde
MovieTitle Shot
1979
as Frank Renzetti
MoviePlayboy's 25th Anniversary Celebration
1979
as Self
Death Becomes Me
1979
as Danny Wilde (archive footage)
MovieThe Users
1978
as Randy Brent
TVVega$
1978
as Roth
MovieThe Bad News Bears Go to Japan
1978
as Marvin Lazar
MovieThe Manitou
1978
as Harry Erskine
MovieSextette
1978
as Alexei Karansky
TVThe Hollywood Greats
1977
as Self (archive footage)
MovieThe Last Appointment!
1977
as Danny Wilde
Please Turn the Page
1977
as Self
MovieCasanova & Co.
1977
as Giacomo Casanova / Giacomino
MovieThe Last Tycoon
1976
as Rodriguez
MovieThe Switch
1976
as Danny Wilde
MovieThe Count of Monte-Cristo
1975
as Fernand Morcerf Mondego
MovieLepke
1975
as Louis 'Lepke' Buchalter
McCoy
1975
as McCoy
TVPeople's Choice Awards
1975
as Self
MovieSporting Chance
1975
as Danny Wilde (archive footage)
TVDinah!
1974
as Self
MovieLondon Conspiracy
1974
as Danny Wilde (archive footage)
MovieMission: Monte Carlo
1974
as Danny Wilde (archive footage)
MovieThe Third Girl from the Left
1973
as Joey Jordan
TVThe American Film Institute Salute to ...
1973
as Self
MovieThe Persuaders!
1973
as Danny Wilde
TVThe Persuaders!
1971
as Danny Wilde
V.I.P. Schaukel
1971
as Self
MovieNorman Jewison, Film Maker
1971
as Self (uncredited)
MovieSuppose They Gave a War and Nobody Came?
1970
as Shannon Gambroni
MovieYou Can't Win 'Em All
1970
as Adam Dyer
TVBracken's World
1969
MovieMonte Carlo or Bust!
1969
as Chester Schofield
MovieThe Boston Strangler
1968
as Albert DeSalvo
MovieRosemary's Baby
1968
as Donald Baumgart (voice) (uncredited)
TVThe Dick Cavett Show
1968
as Self - Guest
TVRowan & Martin's Laugh-In
1968
as Self (uncredited)
MovieOn My Way to the Crusades, I Met a Girl Who...
1967
as Guerrando da Montone
MovieDon't Make Waves
1967
as Carlo Cofield
MovieArrivederci, Baby!
1966
as Nick Johnson
MovieThe Legend of Marilyn Monroe
1966
MovieNot With My Wife, You Don't!
1966
as Tom Ferris
MovieChamber of Horrors
1966
as Mr. Julian (uncredited)
MovieBoeing, Boeing
1965
as Bernard Lawrence
MovieThe Great Race
1965
as The Great Leslie
MovieSex and the Single Girl
1964
as Bob Weston
MovieGoodbye Charlie
1964
as George Wellington Tracy
MovieWild and Wonderful
1964
as Terry Williams
MovieParis When It Sizzles
1964
as Actor Portraying Maurice or Philippe (uncredited)
MovieCaptain Newman, M.D.
1963
as Cpl. Jackson "Jake" Leibowitz
MovieThe List of Adrian Messenger
1963
as Organ Grinder
Movie40 Pounds of Trouble
1962
as Steve McCluskey
MovieTaras Bulba
1962
as Andrei Bulba
TVThe Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
1962
as Self
TVThe Late Late Show
1962
as Self
MovieThe Outsider
1961
as Ira Hamilton Hayes
MovieThe Great Impostor
1960
as Ferdinand Waldo Demara Jr. / Martin Donner / Dr. Gilbert / Ben. W. Stone / Dr. Joseph Mornay / Robert Boyd Hammnd
MoviePepe
1960
as Tony Curtis
MovieSpartacus
1960
as Antoninus
TVThe Flintstones
1960
as Stony Curtis (voice)
MovieThe Rat Race
1960
as Pete Hammond Jr.
MovieWho Was That Lady?
1960
as David Wilson
MoviePeople, Hopes, Medals
1960
as Self
MovieOperation Petticoat
1959
as Lieutenant Nicholas Holden
TVStartime
1959
as The Juggler
MovieSome Like It Hot
1959
as Joe (Josephine)
MovieThe Perfect Furlough
1958
as Cpl. Paul Hodges
MovieThe Defiant Ones
1958
as John 'Joker' Jackson
MovieKings Go Forth
1958
as Caporal Britt Harris
MovieThe Vikings
1958
as Eric
MovieSweet Smell of Success
1957
as Sidney Falco
MovieThe Midnight Story
1957
as Joe Martini
MovieMister Cory
1957
as Cory
MovieThe Rawhide Years
1956
as Ben Matthews
TVThe Steve Allen Show
1956
as Self - Recipient
MovieTrapeze
1956
as Tino Orsini
The Rosemary Clooney Show
1956
as Self
Nightmare
1956
as Tony
MovieThe Square Jungle
1955
as Eddie Quaid / Packy Glennon
MovieAllen in Movieland
1955
as Self
MovieThe Purple Mask
1955
as Rene de Traviere / The Purple Mask
MovieSix Bridges to Cross
1955
as Jerry Florea
MovieSo This Is Paris
1954
as Joe Maxwell
MovieA Star Is Born World Premiere
1954
as Self
MovieThe Black Shield of Falworth
1954
as Myles Falworth
MovieJohnny Dark
1954
as Johnny Dark
MovieMiss Glucksman Visits Hollywood
1954
MovieBeachhead
1954
as Burke
MovieForbidden
1953
as Eddie Darrow
MovieThe All American
1953
as Nick Bonelli
MovieHoudini
1953
as Harry Houdini
TVThe Oscars
1953
as Self
TVGeneral Electric Theater
1953
as Mario Galindo
MovieThe World's Most Beautiful Girls
1953
as Self
TVThis Is Your Life
1952
as Self
MovieSon of Ali Baba
1952
as Kashma Baba
MovieFlesh and Fury
1952
as Paul Callan
MovieNo Room for the Groom
1952
as Alvah Morrell
MovieMeet Danny Wilson
1952
as Nightclub Patron
An Eye for an Eye
1952
MovieCome Back Little Shiksa
1952
TVSchlitz Playhouse of Stars
1951
as Charlie
MovieThe Re-Inforcer
1951
as Tony Boffo
MovieThe Prince Who Was a Thief
1951
as Julna
Fairfax Avenue
1951
MovieKansas Raiders
1950
as Kit Dalton
TVThe Colgate Comedy Hour
1950
as Self
MovieWinchester '73
1950
as Doan
MovieSierra
1950
as Brent Coulter
MovieI Was a Shoplifter
1950
as Pepe
MovieFrancis
1950
as Captain Jones
TVWhat's My Line?
1950
as Self
MovieWoman in Hiding
1950
as Dave Shaw (voice) (uncredited)
MovieThe Lady Gambles
1949
as Bellboy (as Anthony Curtis)
MovieJohnny Stool Pigeon
1949
as Joey Hyatt
MovieCity Across the River
1949
as Mitch (as Anthony Curtis)
MovieCriss Cross
1949
as Gigolo (uncredited)
MovieHow to Smuggle a Hernia Across the Border
1949
TVThe Ed Sullivan Show
1948
as Self
TVBambi
1948
as Self
