Tony Curtis (born Bernard Schwartz; 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.

Tony Curtis Is Dead

Father of Jamie Lee Curtis and Kelly Curtis (with Janet Leigh).
Father of Allegra Curtis and Alexandra Curtis (with Christine Kaufmann).
His son, Nicholas Curtis, died of seizures due to an overdose of heroin (2 July 1994).
Born to Emanuel Schwartz, a Hungarian tailor who emigrated to the United States, and his wife Helen, he grew up with two brothers, Julius and Robert.
Enjoys painting and creating shadow boxes. In late 2005, the Museum of Modern Art (New York, NY) acquired one of his canvasses for its permanent collection.
Lives in Henderson, Nevada.
Appears on sleeve of The Beatles’ “Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band”
Suffers from fear of flying.
He made a literary cameo in Matt Whyman’s debut romantic comedy novel, ‘Man or Mouse’, in which the main character, Ren, e-mails Curtis with his love-life problems, and finally meets him briefly.
He has two adopted sons.
Was the inspiration for and voiced the character Stoney Curtis on an episode of “The Flintstones” (1959), along with Ann-Margret as Ann Marg-rock.
Since re-dubbing the bath scene in Spartacus (1960) in which he starred with Laurence Olivier, Curtis has said that whenever he encounters Anthony Hopkins (who did the voiceover for Olivier in the re-dubbed version following Olivier’s death), he hollers “Oh Tony… it’s Antoninus”.
Appeared in [i]Sugar[/i], a stage musical based on Billy Wilder’s Some Like It Hot (1959) . He appeared as millionaire Osgood Fielding III, the character played by Joe E. Brown in the film.
He is a militant anti-smoker. Both Sir Michael Caine and Sir Roger Moore have credited Curtis with helping them quit smoking cigarettes in the early 1970s, though not cigars.
Serving with “F Troop” (1965) actor Larry Storch in the U.S. Navy from 1942 to 1945 aboard a submarine tender, he witnessed the Japanese surrender in Tokyo Bay from a vantage point 300 yards away. He and Storch have had a lifelong friendship. They appeared together in The Great Race (1965).
Along with Ernest Borgnine, Curtis refused to watch, and publicly condemned, Brokeback Mountain (2005).
Nearly died in hospital from pneumonia at Christmas 2006.
Was originally considered for one of the leading roles of Lady L (1965).
Has appeared in tourism advertisements for his ancestral homeland Hungary.
His favorite movie star was Cary Grant.
Elvis Presley copied his duck-tail hairstyle after seeing it on screen.
His brother Julius died after being hit by a truck (1938).
He enjoys playing the flute for pleasure and relaxation. He is a very accomplished player.
Now in his 80s, he spends most of his time painting. Some of his works are a part of a permanent collection at the Museum of Modern Art in New York.
Claims that his mother was physically abusive and that his father was impassive.
Recovered from a cocaine addiction in the 1980s.
His sixth wife, Jill Vandenberg Curtis (since 1998), who is more than 40 years younger than he, runs a wild-horse refuge.
Claims he probably had a sexual addiction. Among his female conquests boasted of in his 2008 memoir are Yvonne De Carlo, Natalie Wood and a pre-star Marilyn Monroe who was a very young, pony-tailed redhead during their teenage affair.
Broke a Hollywood taboo in the 1950s by insisting that an African-American actor, Sidney Poitier, have co-starring billing next to him in the movie The Defiant Ones (1958).
Like many before and after, he changed his name from Bernard Schwartz to Tony Curtis, partly in response to Hollywood anti-Semitism.
Admits that he is largely estranged from all six of his children, including actress Jamie Lee Curtis, one of his children by first wife Janet Leigh.
According to his autobiography, he really desired the lead male role of Paul Varjack in the film Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961). Director Blake Edwards considered the idea, but the role eventually went to George Peppard.
Suffers from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
From the top of his submarine in Tokyo Bay, using a pair of binoculars, he was able to witness the Japanese surrender on the deck of the USS Missouri, about a mile away. He considered this experience to be one of the highlights of his life.
Following his death, he was buried with some of his favorite possessions – a Stetson hat, an Armani scarf, driving gloves, an iPhone and a copy of his favorite novel, “Anthony Adverse,” a book that inspired his celebrity name.
He disinherited all of his children from his will and left the bulk of his estate to his wife Jill Vandenberg Curtis.