Actor. A handsome leading man, Tony was a top box office attraction during the 1950s and 1960s.

Born Bernard Schwartz, his father was a tailor who immigrated from Hungary; Bernard was brought up in poverty in a tough Bronx neighborhood. He developed an interest in acting after visiting a neighborhood settlement house. He served in the United States Navy during World War II (WWII), as a sub tender on the USS Proteus. He was in Tokyo Bay for the surrender of Japan.Following his service, Bernard took advantage of the G.I. Bill and studied at the Dramatic Workshop of the New School for Social Research (New York City). He began his professional career touring with a stock company in the "Borscht Circuit," and appeared in New York-area stage productions. He would be spotted by a Hollywood talent scout and signed to a contract withUniversal-International Pictures, originally performing under the names James Curtis and Anthony Curtis, finally settling on Tony Curtis. Initially, Tony found bit parts in the picturesCity Across the River (1949) andFrancis (1950), but more substantial roles were to come inHoudini(1953),Trapeze (1956), Sweet Smell of Success (1957) withBurt Lancaster andThe Vikings (1957) withJanet Leigh. He received an Oscar nomination playing an escaped prisoner chained toSidney Poitier in theStanley Kramer pictureThe Defiant Ones (1958), and performed what perhaps may be his best-remembered role as a female impersonator inBilly Wilder'sSome Like It Hot(1959)withJack Lemmon andMarilyn Monroe. Further memorable films includeOperation Petticoat (1959) withCary Grant,The Rat Race (1960),Spartacus (1960),The Great Impostor (1961),Goodbye Charlie (1964) withDebbie Reynolds,Sex and the Single Girl (1964) withNatalie Wood (1965),The Great Race (1965), and a chilling performance inThe Boston Strangler (1968) withGeorge Kennedy. Curtis had featured roles in the TV programsThe Persuaders! (1971 to 1972),McCoy (1975 to 1976), and a recurring part in seriesVega$ (1978 to 1981). His film career waned during the 1970s, but he experienced a resurgence with the TV-MoviesThe Scarlett O'Hara War (1980, for which he earned an Emmy Award nomination) andMafia Princess (1986). Curtis was formerly married to actress Janet Leigh and the father of actresses Kelly and Jamie Lee Curtis. In addition to acting, Curtis was a gifted painter. For his contributions to motion pictures, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, located at 6817 Hollywood Blvd.

Cenotaph here

Actor. A handsome leading man, Tony was a top box office attraction during the 1950s and 1960s.

Born Bernard Schwartz, his father was a tailor who immigrated from Hungary; Bernard was brought up in poverty in a tough Bronx neighborhood. He developed an interest in acting after visiting a neighborhood settlement house. He served in the United States Navy during World War II (WWII), as a sub tender on the USS Proteus. He was in Tokyo Bay for the surrender of Japan.Following his service, Bernard took advantage of the G.I. Bill and studied at the Dramatic Workshop of the New School for Social Research (New York City). He began his professional career touring with a stock company in the "Borscht Circuit," and appeared in New York-area stage productions. He would be spotted by a Hollywood talent scout and signed to a contract withUniversal-International Pictures, originally performing under the names James Curtis and Anthony Curtis, finally settling on Tony Curtis. Initially, Tony found bit parts in the picturesCity Across the River (1949) andFrancis (1950), but more substantial roles were to come inHoudini(1953),Trapeze (1956), Sweet Smell of Success (1957) withBurt Lancaster andThe Vikings (1957) withJanet Leigh. He received an Oscar nomination playing an escaped prisoner chained toSidney Poitier in theStanley Kramer pictureThe Defiant Ones (1958), and performed what perhaps may be his best-remembered role as a female impersonator inBilly Wilder'sSome Like It Hot(1959)withJack Lemmon andMarilyn Monroe. Further memorable films includeOperation Petticoat (1959) withCary Grant,The Rat Race (1960),Spartacus (1960),The Great Impostor (1961),Goodbye Charlie (1964) withDebbie Reynolds,Sex and the Single Girl (1964) withNatalie Wood (1965),The Great Race (1965), and a chilling performance inThe Boston Strangler (1968) withGeorge Kennedy. Curtis had featured roles in the TV programsThe Persuaders! (1971 to 1972),McCoy (1975 to 1976), and a recurring part in seriesVega$ (1978 to 1981). His film career waned during the 1970s, but he experienced a resurgence with the TV-MoviesThe Scarlett O'Hara War (1980, for which he earned an Emmy Award nomination) andMafia Princess (1986). Curtis was formerly married to actress Janet Leigh and the father of actresses Kelly and Jamie Lee Curtis. In addition to acting, Curtis was a gifted painter. For his contributions to motion pictures, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, located at 6817 Hollywood Blvd.

Cenotaph here

What was Tony famous for?