Tony Curtis probably was most famous for his roles in Some Like it Hot alongside Marilyn Monroe and Jack Lemmon in 1959 and Spartacus where he played Antoninus in 1960.
Curtis, born Bernard Schwartz on June 3, 1925, received an Academy Award nomination in 1959 for his role in the movie ‘The Defiant Ones’ where he starred opposite Sidney Poitier.
This is a week where we’ve reported on so many film actors and filmmakers’ deaths. Our thoughts go out to all the families who have lost a loved one this week.
Just had a little look on YouTube and here’s an interview he did in May 2009 with GMTV (a British morning breakfast show)to promote his autobiography, American Prince where they talk about much of his work, working with Cary Grant, Marilyn Monroe and Frank Sinatra. He says he’s made 155 movies and is obviously very proud of them all.
This is such sad news. The Defiant Ones, Spartacus, Some Like It Hot, Sweet Smell of Success, The Vikings, Winchester ’73. Such a rich and varied career. This is proving to be a black week for cinema and is going to yield a very long, but very moving “In Memorium” montage at next year’s Oscars.
My favourite Curtis moment? His Cary Grant impersonation for Some Like It Hot. Priceless. Peerless.