Highest rated as cast or director
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.
Acted in 143
2020s
- 2022
Dream Girl: The Making of Marilyn Monroe
Tony Curtis · 3 episodes
2010s
- 2017
Amicalement vôtre : Hollywood au service de sa Majesté
Danny Wilde
- 2010
Cameraman: The Life and Work of Jack Cardiff
Eric (archive footage) (uncredited)
2000s
- 2009
- 2008
The Jill & Tony Curtis Story
Movie
- 2003
Playboy's 50th Anniversary Celebration
Movie
- 2000
1990s
- 1999
- 1998
Louis & Frank
Lenny Star Springer
- 1997
Elvis Meets Nixon
Tony Curtis
The Continued Adventures of Reptile Man
Jack Steele
Bounty Hunters 2: Hardball
Wald
- 1996
- 1995
The Immortals
Dominic
- 1994
Perry Mason: The Case of the Grimacing Governor
Johnny Steele
Bandit: Beauty and the Bandit
Lucky Bergstrom
- 1993
Naked in New York
Carl Fisher
The Mummy Lives
Aziru / Dr. Mohassid
- 1992
Christmas in Connecticut
Alexander Yardley
Center of the Web
Stephen Moore
- 1991
- 1990
Thanksgiving Day
Max Schloss
Lobster Man from Mars
J.P. Shelldrake
1980s
- 1989
Walter and Carlo in America
WIlly La Rouge
Midnight
Mr. B
- 1988
The Passenger – Welcome to Germany
Mr. Cornfield
- 1987
Sparky's Magic Piano
Movie
- 1986
Murder in Three Acts
Charles Cartwright
Club Life
Hector
Mafia Princess
Sam Giancana
- 1985
Half Nelson
Movie
- 1984
Where Is Parsifal?
Parsifal Katzanella-Boden
- 1983
BrainWaves
Dr. Clavius
Balboa
Ernie Stoddard
- 1982
Black Commando
Col. Iago
Magic with the Stars
Harry Houdini (archive footage) (uncredited)
- 1981
The Million Dollar Face
Chester Masterson
Inmates: A Love Story
Flanagan
- 1980
It Rained All Night the Day I Left
Robert Talbot
Little Miss Marker
Blackie
The Masqueraders
Danny Wilde
1970s
- 1979
Title Shot
Frank Renzetti
- 1978
The Bad News Bears Go to Japan
Marvin Lazar
- 1977
The Last Appointment!
Danny Wilde
- 1976
The Last Tycoon
Rodriguez
The Switch
Danny Wilde
- 1975
Lepke
Louis 'Lepke' Buchalter
Sporting Chance
Danny Wilde (archive footage)
- 1974
London Conspiracy
Danny Wilde (archive footage)
Mission: Monte Carlo
Danny Wilde (archive footage)
- 1973
The Third Girl from the Left
Joey Jordan
The Persuaders!
Danny Wilde
- 1971
- 1970
Suppose They Gave a War and Nobody Came?
Shannon Gambroni
1960s
- 1969
Bracken's World
TV
Monte Carlo or Bust!
Chester Schofield
- 1968
The Boston Strangler
Albert DeSalvo
- 1967
On My Way to the Crusades, I Met a Girl Who...
Guerrando da Montone
- 1966
The Legend of Marilyn Monroe
Movie
Not With My Wife, You Don't!
Tom Ferris
Chamber of Horrors
Mr. Julian (uncredited)
- 1965
Boeing, Boeing
Bernard Lawrence
- 1964
Goodbye Charlie
George Wellington Tracy
Wild and Wonderful
Terry Williams
- 1963
The List of Adrian Messenger
Organ Grinder
- 1962
40 Pounds of Trouble
Steve McCluskey
- 1961
The Outsider
Ira Hamilton Hayes
- 1960
Pepe
Tony Curtis
The Rat Race
Pete Hammond Jr.
Who Was That Lady?
David Wilson
1950s
- 1959
- 1958
The Perfect Furlough
Paul Hodges
Kings Go Forth
Caporal Britt Harris
- 1957
The Midnight Story
Joe Martini
Mister Cory
Cory
- 1956
The Rawhide Years
Ben Matthews
- 1955
The Square Jungle
Eddie Quaid / Packy Glennon
The Purple Mask
Rene de Traviere / The Purple Mask
Six Bridges to Cross
Jerry Florea
- 1954
So This Is Paris
Joe Maxwell
Johnny Dark
Johnny Dark
Miss Glucksman Visits Hollywood
Movie
Beachhead
Burke
- 1953
Forbidden
Eddie Darrow
The All American
Nick Bonelli
General Electric Theater
Mario Galindo, David · 1 episode
- 1952
Son of Ali Baba
Kashma Baba
Flesh and Fury
Paul Callan
No Room for the Groom
Alvah Morrell
Meet Danny Wilson
Nightclub Patron
Come Back Little Shiksa
Movie
- 1951
Schlitz Playhouse of Stars
Charlie · 1 episode
The Re-Inforcer
Tony Boffo
- 1950
Francis
Captain Jones
Woman in Hiding
Dave Shaw (voice) (uncredited)
1940s
- 1949
The Lady Gambles
Bellboy (as Anthony Curtis)
Johnny Stool Pigeon
Joey Hyatt
City Across the River
Mitch (as Anthony Curtis)
How to Smuggle a Hernia Across the Border
Movie
Produced 7
1960s
- 1967
- 1966
Not With My Wife, You Don't!
Executive Producer
- 1964
- 1963
Appearances61
2020s
- 2026
My Life As Roger Moore
Self (archive footage)
- 2024
From Roger Moore with Love
Self (archive footage)
- 2023
Pictures of Ghosts
Self (archive footage)
- 2022
Rat Pack
Self (archive footage)
- 2021
Morceaux de Cannes
Self (archive footage)
2010s
- 2019
- 2017
- 2014
Marlon Brando: An Actor Named Desire
Self - Actor (archive footage)
- 2013
- 2012
Fascination: Unauthorized Story of Marilyn Monroe
Self (archive footage)
Tony Curtis: Driven to Stardom
Self
- 2011
Marilyn at the Movies
Self (archive footage)
That's Insignificance
Self
- 2010
Marilyn Monroe: I Want to Be Loved
Self
2000s
- 2009
Hugh Hefner: Playboy, Activist and Rebel
Self
- 2007
Shrink Rap
Self · 1 episode
- 2006
The Legacy of 'Some Like It Hot'
Self
The Making of 'Some Like It Hot'
Self
- 2003
Hugh Hefner: American Playboy
Self
Un film et son époque
Self · 1 episode
- 2001
Nobody's Perfect: The Making of Some Like It Hot
Self
Rescued from the Closet
Self
Tony Curtis on 'Some Like It Hot'
Self
1990s
- 1997
- 1996
The Celluloid Closet
Self
- 1995
The Mrs Merton Show
Self · 1 episode
- 1994
A Century of Cinema
Self
- 1992
Hugh Hefner: Once Upon a Time
Self
Hollywood Babylon II
Narrator
- 1991
Joseph Cornell: Worlds in a Box
Narrator (voice) / Self
1980s
- 1988
This Morning
Self · 1 episode
- 1987
The Dame Edna Experience
Self · 1 episode
Matin Bonheur
Self · 1 episode
- 1986
The Fantasy Film Worlds of George Pal
Self
- 1983
Hollywood Out-takes and Rare Footage
Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
- 1981
1970s
- 1979
Playboy's 25th Anniversary Celebration
Self
- 1977
The Hollywood Greats
Self (archive footage) · 2 episodes
- 1975
- 1974
- 1973
- 1971
Norman Jewison, Film Maker
Self (uncredited)
1960s
- 1968
- 1962
- 1960
People, Hopes, Medals
Self
1950s
- 1956
- 1955
Allen in Movieland
Self
- 1954
A Star Is Born World Premiere
Self
- 1953
The World's Most Beautiful Girls
Self
- 1952
- 1950
Thanked in the credits4
2000s
- 2006
The Legacy of 'Some Like It Hot'
Thanks
The Making of 'Some Like It Hot'
Thanks
- 2001
Tony Curtis on 'Some Like It Hot'
Thanks
1970s
- 1971
Norman Jewison, Film Maker
Thanks