How Did Tony Curtis Die?
Tony was born in the Bronx, his father was a tailor. His original name was Bernard Schwartz; he changed it to Tony Stewart in 1949 when he started acting. Tony became a popular actor in the 1950's and he was a heartthrob to millions of fans. Some of his film credits include 'Some Like It Hot,' 'Sweet Smell of Success,' 'The Rawhide Years,' 'The Vikings,' 'The Great Race.'
Tony Stewart was married six times. First to actress Janet Leigh, who he had two daughters with, Kelly and Jamie Lee Curtis, next to his 17 year old German costar in Taras Bulba, Christine Kaufman (they had two children), then to Leslie Allen (also fathered two children, one died from a heroin overdose at age 23), next to Andria Savio (no children), then to Lisa Deutsch (no children) and last to Jill Vandenberg Curtis (no children). In addition to marriage, he had several romantic flings, including one with Marilyn Monroe in 1949.
He was married to Jill Vandenberg Curtis until his death. There was a 42 age difference between them. They met in a restaurant in 1993 and married five years later.
Besides being an actor, he founded the Emanuel Foundation for Hungarian Culture in 1998 where he served as the honorary chairperson. According to Wikipedia, the foundation is "for the restoration and preservation of synagogues and 1300 Jewish cemeteries in Hungary. He dedicated this to the 600,000 Hungarian victims of the Holocaust."
Tony Curtis had a previous brush with death in 2006. He got pneumonia and fell into a coma which lasted several days. Afterwards he was very weak and had to use a wheelchair and walker.
Health problems were no stranger to Mr. Curtis and in July 2010, he had to go to the hospital while he was doing a book signing. He had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and suffered an asthma attack.
Jamie Lee Curtis, one of his daughters from his first marriage, issued this statement today: "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.."
Rest in peace Tony. You were a real piece of Hollywood history.
Sources:
Wikimedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Curtis
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Shannon Wilson lives in California. She enjoys spending time with her family and in her spare time, she works on her novel and various articles for AC. She is a hands on parent, president of her children's s... View profile
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