Hollywood Loses Another Star: Remembering Tony Curtis

Hollywood mourns as the passing of silver screen legend Tony Curtis was announced this morning. According to Coroner Mike Murphy, Curtis died Wednesday night at his Las Vegas home. The cause of death was cardiac arrest.

Remembering Tony Curtis

Tony Curtis was a talented American film actor who appeared in more than 100 movies between 1949 and 2008. While he expressed disappointment at never having won an Oscar, he did receive the Sony Ericsson Empire Lifetime Achievement Award, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Order of Arts and Letters) from France. In addition to his appearances on the silver screen and various television performances, he was also a very talented surrealist, with paintings displayed on both the east and west coast. Claiming to have been inspired by the movies, he served his country in the U.S. Navy from 1942-1945.

Curtis was a favorite of celebrity rag mags and gossip columns, known for his darkly handsome good looks. He had a brief involvement with co-star Marilyn Monroe for a while, though the two drifted apart with their different work commitments. That didn't slow the devilishly handsome Curtis though - Tony was married six different times, most notably to actress Janet Leigh with whom he fathered talented actresses Kelly and Jamie Lee Curtis. At the time of his death, he was married to Jill Vandenberg Curtis, whom he'd met in a restaurant in 1993. She was 42 years his junior, but Curtis claimed that the age gap didn't bother them in the least.

Ten Top Tony Curtis Films You Should See

"Houdini" - Appearing in the 1953 Paramount Pictures production of "Houdini," Tony Curtis starred as the famous magician and escapologist Harry Houdini opposite his wife at the time, actress Janet Leigh. While it was supposedly a biographical picture, it was mostly fictional with inconsistencies surrounding Houdini's death. This was always one of my favorite Curtis roles, but then I've always been intrigued by Houdini as well.

"The Vikings" - If you like classic action movies, this is a must-see. Also starring producer/actor Kirk Douglas, Ernest Borgnine and actress Janet Leigh, it's a tale of destiny, love and adventure with a Viking twist. Many of the film's scenes were shot in Maurangerfjorden and Bondhus in Norway, though Aella's castle was shot at the Fort de la Latte in Brittany.

"The Defiant Ones" - One of Curtis' most recognized films, "The Defiant Ones" tells the tale of two prison escapees who are chained together and must learn to work together in order to survive. This 1958 movie also stars Sidney Poitier as the other inmate and features a brief appearance by the late Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer of the "Our Gang" comedy. It was the last performance before Switzer's death.

"Some Like It Hot" - Touted as the greatest American comedy of all time by the American Film Institute, this is the tale of two struggling musicians who find themselves on the run from Chicago gangsters. Disguising themselves as women, they join an all-girl musical act and board head for Florida. Along the way, however, the trip gets bumpy as the two vie for the affections of the beautiful ukelele player, Sugar Kane. Jack Lemmon and Marilyn Monroe co-star in brilliant cross-dressing comedy.

"Operation Petticoat" - Another of my favorite comedies is the 1959 production of "Operation Petticoat" starring Tony Curtis and Cary Grant. What's funny about a sputtering and backfiring pink submarine full of women, babies and a goat? You'll have to check out this classic comedy and find out. You won't be disappointed.

"Sex and the Single Girl" - This 1964 movie was packed full of Hollywood talent. Starring Tony Curtis as a womanizing reporter working for a sleazy tabloid and Natalie Wood as the psychologist he wants to get the scoop on, "Sex and the Single Girl" is best described as a great door-slamming comedy. Henry Fonda and Lauren Bacall also star.

"The Great Race" - If you enjoy slapstick comedy and great pie fights, chances are you'll enjoy this 1965 comedy film. "The Great Race" teams up the great trio of Jack Lemmon, Tony Curtis and Natalie Wood, tosses in a dash of Peter Falk and delivers a lot of classic laughs.

"The Boston Strangler" - Based on the true story of the Albert DeSalvo murders and his eventual arrest, this is a darker and more dramatic role for Tony Curtis. He received a nomination for Best Actor in a Drama from the Hollywood Foreign Press, despite some critics faulting the use of split screens in production, as well as some questions regarding the validity of some of the facts.

"Lobster Man From Mars" - I'm a huge fan of B-movies, shows like MST3K (Mystery Science Theater 3000) and the late, great Dr. Demento. Needless to say, this spoof on 1950's B-movies is a definite addition to my favorite Tony Curtis movies. It's a must-see if you love such strange and wacky wonderfulness.

"Midnight" - And speaking of over-the-top comedies, one can't forget the Elvira-clone that goes off the deep end when her show gets cancelled. Tony Curtis stars as Mr. B in this crazy comedy thriller from 1989. It's not a movie to win any awards, but it's definitely one of those movies that you enjoy when you're awake at 3 a.m. and need something amusing to stare at.

In addition to his performances on the silver screen, Tony Curtis also made numerous television appearances, did some voice acting on the side, and was rumored to be starring in the 2011 production of Poe's "Morella." He will be sadly missed.

Sources:

http://www.imdb.com - Internet Movie Database

http://www.wsaz.com/home/headlines/104069528.html - Breaking News of Tony Curtis' Death