September 30th, 2010
09:20 AM ET
Legendary actor Tony Curtis has diedActor Tony Curtis has died, a rep for his daughter, Jamie Lee Curtis, confirms to CNN. He was 85. In a statement, the actress says: "My father leaves behind a legacy of great performances in movies and in his paintings and assemblages. He leaves behind children and their families who loved him and respected him and a wife and in-laws who were devoted to him. He also leaves behind fans all over the world. He will be greatly missed.." Curtis starred in more than 140 major motion pictures and was nominated for an Oscar for his performance in 1958's "The Defiant Ones" with Sidney Poitier. The Associated Press reports that the Clark County Coroner's office confirms that Curtis died at his home last night of a cardiac arrest.
Curtis also is known for his roles in the 1959 movie "Some Like it Hot" with Marilyn Monroe and Jack Lemmon and "Spartacus" in 1960 with Kirk Douglas. He was born in New York City in 1925 as Bernard Schwartz and grew up poor in the Bronx. Married five times - most notably to actress Janet Leigh - he was the father of actress Jamie Lee Curtis.
Next entry »MC Hammer has fighting words for Jay-Z
« Previous entryHeidi and Seal show some skin in music video
 |
  About this blog
Our daily cheat-sheet for breaking celebrity news, Hollywood buzz and your pop-culture obsessions.  |
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
| Advertise with us | About us | Help | Advertising Practices
i guess just about everything has been said about tony that could be said . we all enjoyed mr, curtis so much it's just hard to believe . such a waste . well i'm sure he's looking down with those beautiful eyes of his and smiling that great smile knowing how much he will be missed .....hollywood hit gold when tony walked into town .
A great actor and agood man
RIP, Tony! My condolences to the family!
para sempre vou lembrar dele com seus ótimos filmes e atuações pois a primeira vez que o vi no filme tinha apenas 9 anos e ele me acompanhou na minha infancia, adolescencia e grande parte da minha vida até mesmo depois de casada. Não vou dizer adeus porque você está no meu coração hoje e sempre.muita paz !!
He seemed like such a nice, honorable cheerful, sincere, loving guy. He's one of those people you're sorry you never got to meet.
Live on Bernie!
~
Ken McIntyre,
Wytheville, Virginia
THERE WILL NEVER BE ANOTHER TONY CURTIS. REST IN PEACE.
Although I didn't agree with his life style,he was a great star and brings back many memories of seeing him in action in the movies of the 50's.RIP
hollywood lost a great actor, the world lost a great man!
I got to meet him a few years ago, and blogged about it just a few weeks ago. Lovely man & fabulous actor.
http://getnickt.blogspot.com/2010/07/tony-curtis-meeting-in-desert.html
It's so true...we are losing our hollywood greats....what is there to live for???
This makes me sad.....I know we can't live forever.....but we seem to be losing so many great ones lately. Say what you want – but there just isn't the same type of "star power" as there was back in the day with the likes of Tony Curtis, Kirk Douglas, Charlton Heston, John Wayne....and so many more!! I loved Mr. Curtis in "Some Like It Hot" - one of my all time favs - "Operation Petticoat" - "The Great Race" - he was a great actor. He truly will be missed. God Bless the Curtis family.
I'm Spartacus
A few years ago, I meet Tony Curtis in Spago, an LA restaurant. I introduced him to my two sons and he introduced us to his wife to be. I had never met him before, but I felt like he was a lifelong friend, not because of his many movies (that I loved and grew up with), but because he was so friendly, down to earth and easy to talk to.
We spent about a half an hour chatting and he seemed to enjoy it as much as we did. I will remember it forever. And, about his movies...he told us that he loved making them all. You could tell how special he was and I will miss him. Thank you Tony for that terrific evening and for a lifetime of legendary work.
Who will carry on his telethon ?
Always liked his movies. He was a great actor. This guy must have had one heck of a great life.
He was also a very "pretty" man.
RIP Tony...and thanks!
a truly, truly great actor. His known versatility, showmanship, acting capabilities, and presence made him a true acting icon. He will be eternally missed. "Some Like it Hot" is one of my favorite movies as well as a lot of the fans of Tony. (Jack looked a shade better in drag, but Tony's acting was dead on!) My heartfelt sympathy to the entire Curtis family.
I loved everything he worked on. Now, I have to try and get every movie he participated in. I think we shared the same bithday-June 3rd. My condolences to his family. Rest in PEACE MR. CURTIS!
Few people know about the beautiful Tree of Life in memory of Hungarian Jewish holocaust victims behind the
Dohany /great Synagogue in Budapest, Hungary. Its silver leaves bear the names of hundreds of Jewish people who died during those terrible times. It is a unspeakiably moving and beautiful! Tony Curtis, may you rest in God's peace! You were a fine actor, a great humanitarian and a righteous man !
So long Lt. Holden...thanks for the memories.
As a fellow New Yorker, I was always proud of your work, God Bless you Tony and thank you for the wonderful entertainment, you made me feel great watching your career – God Speed
He great in The Flintstones cartoon.
He was a legend, my condolences to the family. RIP Mr. Curtis, Jamie, Kelly...I'm so sorry girls...
I can't believe he's gone but will b missed & now I must watch "Some Like It Hot"!!!
"Yonduh lies the castle of my fodduh the king." Classic! And great fun.
Sad, the world has lost another great actor. What a legacy! My condolences.
85 years-of-age seems to be the new average age for death by natural causes (for a man). We may expect to see more famous people dying soon in the next couple of months then.
My deepest condolences to his family. He was a true gem. Thank you Mr. Curtis for shining so bright. May you rest in peace.
How sad, I acually met T. Curtis at Newark airport in the eary 70s on my way to San Diego, on leave from the Navy. Was a gentleman then, And Im sure he remained a gentlemen all his Life, Thanks for your talents,,
My condolences to the family, I am going to miss you Tony, was nice to see you at Café Roma in Beverly Hills, in the "old days", you were a good entertainer. Heinz
My two most favorite movies by Tony Curtis was "The Great Imposter" and "Tarus Bulba" Very sad to see that he has passed away.
it's a very sad day for us' he will always be in our hearts. for me his greatest movie was houdini' i've watched
it dozens of times. rest in peace tony curtis.
Some Like It Hot, and Great Race are my two favorite movies from that era. When Tony was dressed in all white during the pie fight, and didn' get a crumb on him until the very end cracked me up. He and his tallent will be missed!
I think I got around the Around the World in 80 Days, an GReat race mixed up? But I seem to recall Tony did do Around the world to ? My meories mixing up, LOL !
It`s very sad to see one of the great cinima icons gone. His presence will be felt forever in his work.
My condolences to the family. He will always be remembered. Thats one thing about being in movies and pictures, he will live on through them and enspire more people and our children. Thank You!
He would alway's remain in my heart love you till the end
A wonderful actor who will be missed! I remember meeting him with my family at The New York Palace – he was charming. Condolences to the Curtis family. Rest in peace.....
So sad to know of our loss of Tony Curtis.His comedy was a wonderful gift. At least we have his. Movies to enjoy again and again. Deepest sympathy to the family.
My condolences to his family, friends, an fans...
HE was sO HAndsome.. I loved to watch him in his movies, EspeACially the ones with his wife JAnet Leigh. The movies I always recall best are, around the world in 80 days, an The one where He an JAck Lemon dresss in Drag as women ! HElarious, An Tony MAde a PERty woman..LOL !
Forever a fan Of Tony Curtis !
Awwww... Jamie.. I'm so sorry. We loved your parents and you as well. I lost my dad Jul of 06' at 80 yo. Your dad was a great man! Thanks for sharing him with us!
He would always remain in my heart love you till the end
He was extremely handsom and talented. He will always live on in his films as a young, vibrant man. God bless you and yours. See ya at the movies!
influenced and adored by ppl he never ever even new including myself hes not gone just passed on his movies keep him in our hearts
He was a beautiful man and great actor. He will be truly missed. Rest in peace Tony.
RIP Mr. Curtis. Thank you for the memories!
"Judy, Judy, Judy"............I still laugh!
RIP and thank you for entertaining us Tony!
yeah, he didn't say Judy, Judy, Judy....that would be Cary Grant, who actually didn't say it either...RIP Mr. Curtis, you will be missed. My condolences to his family.
Wow, I loved this man – Remember "Some Like it Hot" – "The Great Race" and so many more -
May he rest in that place for all great men
he is a loser
Hopefullt TCM will do a marathon this weekend or soon and play some of the films that didn't get much playtime. he made alot of good movies, but some not seen as much as others. Traggic loss of a very veritle actor
My favorite Tony Curtis movie was "The Great Race". So funny, I laugh until I cry every time I see it. Wish it were better known! So many great memories of watching that with my mom and sister. Thanks, Tony! Condolences to his family.
I always liked Tony in The Great Race. My Dad and I laughed so hard everytime we watched it. God Bless you Tony.
My deepest, utmost heartfelt condolences go out to Jamie Lee Curtis and the entire Curtis family. No doubt – Tony Curtis was a true, legendary Hollywood actor and he will be very sorely missed. May Tony Curtis forever rest in everlasting eternal, heavenly peace.
Condolescences to the family. Actors of that era leave a lasting influence on people. Sad to see another great pass.
An extremely talented man, with an extraoridnary life and career. Rest in peace, Mr. Curtis!
He was a brilliant actor! Sad to see another great leave us.
My condolences to the family. RIP, Tony. One of the funniest actors ever. "Some Like it Hot" is one of my favorite all-time movies.