--- name: "Tony Curtis" canonical: "https://film.one/person/tony-curtis" fi1m_id: "tony-curtis" imdb_id: "nm0000348" tmdb_id: 3150 wikidata_id: "Q162389" roles: ["Actor"] born: "3 June 1925" died: "29 September 2010" reviewed_on_fi1m: 7 average_fi1m_score: 77 average_as: "actor" average_over: 5 updated: "2026-10-07T16:26:46.947576+00:00" licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Tony Curtis ## Identity Tony Curtis - **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/tony-curtis - **Type:** Person - **Fi1m ID:** tony-curtis - **IMDb ID:** nm0000348 - **TMDB ID:** 3150 - **Wikidata ID:** Q162389 - **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Curtis, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q162389, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000348/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/3150 Actor. Born 3 June 1925 in Bronx, New York, USA. Died 29 September 2010. ## Details - **Work:** Actor - **Born:** 3 June 1925, Bronx, New York, USA - **Died:** 29 September 2010 - **Active:** 1950–1980 - **Also known as:** Bernard Herschel Schwartz, Anthony Curtis, Тони Кертис, تونی کورتیس - **Titles on Fi1m:** 7: 5 acting, 2 other - **Academy Awards:** 1 Oscar nomination - **Average Fi1m score:** 77, as actor, over 5 titles - **Fi1m score by decade:** 1950s 84 (4), 1960s 92 (1), 1980s 52 (1), 2000s 82 (1) - **Fi1m against the critics:** 84 to 77 across 4 titles - **Score spread:** 3 at 80+, 1 at 60–79, 1 under 60 - **Lead roles:** 3 of 4 acting credits billed first or second - **Genres:** Crime 3, Drama 2, Thriller 2, Adventure 1, Comedy 1, Mystery 1 - **Screen time:** 9 hours of reviewed films - **Box office:** $41m across 4 films with figures - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Curtis, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q162389, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000348/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/3150 ## Streaming the US now - **The Roku Channel:** [*Some Like It Hot*](https://film.one/film/some-like-it-hot.md) (92), [*The Defiant Ones*](https://film.one/film/the-defiant-ones.md) (74) - **Apple TV:** [*Sweet Smell of Success*](https://film.one/film/sweet-smell-of-success.md) (88), [*The Mirror Crack'd*](https://film.one/film/the-mirror-crackd.md) (52) For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country. ## Fi1m on Tony Curtis > We rate Tony Curtis most highly when his characters are thinking quickly under pressure. His comic self-control rewards close attention, and *Some Like It Hot* gives it the company and the material it deserves. In *Some Like It Hot* (1959), Tony Curtis treats becoming Josephine as a practical problem. His Joe calculates quickly, keeps his movements under control and leaves Jack Lemmon’s Jerry to make the more conspicuous adjustments as Daphne. We laughed when Lemmon’s delight began to overtake his caution, and Curtis’s composure made that agitation funnier. It is generous comic acting, and Billy Wilder gives him a partner whose busyness makes his own restraint worth watching. The early leading roles in swashbucklers offered less to occupy him beyond looking the part. *Trapeze* (1956) and *Sweet Smell of Success* (1957) brought greater critical attention, with the latter casting him opposite Burt Lancaster as press agent Sidney Falco. Falco’s ambition gives Curtis’s streetwise energy a less agreeable use. *The Defiant Ones* (1958) then provided another demanding dramatic part, before Wilder’s comedy made such good use of his timing. Wilder’s film also shows how much this sort of performance needs from the people around it. Orry-Kelly’s dresses turn walking into part of the comedy, but Curtis’s self-control and Lemmon’s busier movements ensure that the clothes do not supply every laugh. Cinematographer Charles Lang lets us study their faces, giving particular attention to the small changes in Marilyn Monroe’s expression as Sugar. These are good conditions for an actor who does not need to underline every adjustment. The gangster passages are the caveat: they occasionally interrupt the exchanges among the three leads, just when we would rather stay with them. Curtis later moved through more comedies and into supporting and character parts, with less consistency in the material. *The Boston Strangler* (1968), in which he plays Albert DeSalvo, offers a sinister change from the comic impersonations. The routine work in his later career gives us less reason to follow him through every credit, but that darker performance deserves attention alongside Josephine. Begin with *Some Like It Hot*, then try *Sweet Smell of Success* for a less comfortable evening. ## Biography Tony Curtis was an American actor. Born Bernard Herschel Schwartz on 3 June 1925 in the Bronx, New York, he died on 29 September 2010 in Henderson, Nevada. He appeared in more than 100 films over six decades. His credits include *Some Like It Hot* (1959) as Joe/Josephine, *Sweet Smell of Success* (1957) as Sidney Falco, *The Defiant Ones* (1958), *Spartacus* (1960) as Antoninus, and *Operation Petticoat* (1959). He also had roles in television series such as *CSI: Crime Scene Investigation* and *Roseanne*. *Sources: imdb.com, britannica.com.* ## On Fi1m (7) ### Performed in (5) — the average rests on these - *The Mirror Crack'd* (1980), Fi1m 52, as Martin N. Fenn — [page](https://film.one/film/the-mirror-crackd.md) - *Some Like It Hot* (1959), Fi1m 92, as Joe (Josephine) — [page](https://film.one/film/some-like-it-hot.md) - *The Defiant Ones* (1958), Fi1m 74, as John 'Joker' Jackson — [page](https://film.one/film/the-defiant-ones.md) - *Sweet Smell of Success* (1957), Fi1m 88, as Sidney Falco — [page](https://film.one/film/sweet-smell-of-success.md) - *Winchester '73* (1950), Fi1m 81, as Doan — [page](https://film.one/film/winchester-73.md) ### Also credited (2) — thanks, archive footage, uncredited - *The Graham Norton Show* (2007), Fi1m 82, as Self — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-graham-norton-show.md) - *Rosemary's Baby* (1968), Fi1m 92, as Donald Baumgart (voice) (uncredited) — [page](https://film.one/film/rosemarys-baby.md) ## Complete filmography (159) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *100 Years of the Idiot: A Jerry Lewis Centenary* (2026), Actor - *Dream Girl: The Making of Marilyn Monroe* (2022), series, as Tony Curtis - *Amicalement vôtre : Hollywood au service de sa Majesté* (2017), as Danny Wilde - *Marilyn Monroe: In The Movies* (2012), Actor - *Cameraman: The Life and Work of Jack Cardiff* (2010), as Eric (archive footage) (uncredited) - *Hollywood sul Tevere* (2009), Actor - *David & Fatima* (2008), as Mr. Schwartz - *The Jill & Tony Curtis Story* (2008), Actor - *The Legacy of 'Some Like It Hot'* (2006), Thanks - *The Making of 'Some Like It Hot'* (2006), Thanks - *Hope & Faith* (2003), series, as Morris - *Playboy's 50th Anniversary Celebration* (2003), Actor - *Reflections of Evil* (2002), as Host - *Tony Curtis on 'Some Like It Hot'* (2001), Thanks - *CSI: Crime Scene Investigation* (2000), series, as Tony Curtis - *Play It to the Bone* (1999), as Tony Curtis (Ringside Fan) - *Roxanne's Best Christmas Ever* (1998), as Bernard (voice) - *Louis & Frank* (1998), as Lenny Star Springer - *Stargames* (1998), as King Fendel - *Elvis Meets Nixon* (1997), as Tony Curtis - *The Continued Adventures of Reptile Man* (1997), as Jack Steele - *Bounty Hunters 2: Hardball* (1997), as Wald - *Suddenly Susan* (1996), series, as Peter DiCaprio - *The Immortals* (1995), as Dominic - *Perry Mason: The Case of the Grimacing Governor* (1994), as Johnny Steele - *Bandit: Beauty and the Bandit* (1994), as Lucky Bergstrom - *Naked in New York* (1993), as Carl Fisher - *Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman* (1993), series, as Dr. Mamba - *The Mummy Lives* (1993), as Aziru / Dr. Mohassid - *Christmas in Connecticut* (1992), as Alexander Yardley - *Center of the Web* (1992), as Stephen Moore - *Joseph Cornell: Worlds in a Box* (1991), as Narrator (voice) / Self - *Prime Target* (1991), as Copella - *Thanksgiving Day* (1990), as Max Schloss - *Lobster Man from Mars* (1990), as J.P. Shelldrake - *Walter and Carlo in America* (1989), as WIlly La Rouge - *Midnight* (1989), as Mr. B - *Tarzan in Manhattan* (1989), as Archimedes Porter - *Roseanne* (1988), series, Actor — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/roseanne.md) - *The Passenger – Welcome to Germany* (1988), as Mr. Cornfield - *Sparky's Magic Piano* (1987), Actor - *Murder in Three Acts* (1986), as Charles Cartwright - *Banter* (1986), as Charles Foster - *Club Life* (1986), as Hector - *Mafia Princess* (1986), as Sam Giancana - *Insignificance* (1985), as The Senator - *Half Nelson* (1985), Actor - *Where Is Parsifal?* (1984), as Parsifal Katzanella-Boden - *BrainWaves* (1983), as Dr. Clavius - *Balboa* (1983), as Ernie Stoddard - *Black Commando* (1982), as Col. Iago - *Portrait of a Showgirl* (1982), as Joey DeLeon - *Magic with the Stars* (1982), as Harry Houdini (archive footage) (uncredited) - *The Million Dollar Face* (1981), as Chester Masterson - *Inmates: A Love Story* (1981), as Flanagan - *It Rained All Night the Day I Left* (1980), as Robert Talbot - *The Scarlett O'Hara War* (1980), as David O. Selznick - *Little Miss Marker* (1980), as Blackie - *The Mirror Crack'd* (1980), as Martin N. Fenn — Fi1m 52, [page](https://film.one/film/the-mirror-crackd.md) - *The Masqueraders* (1980), as Danny Wilde - *Title Shot* (1979), as Frank Renzetti - *Death Becomes Me* (1979), as Danny Wilde (archive footage) - *The Users* (1978), as Randy Brent - *Vega$* (1978), series, as Roth, Roth (uncredited) - *The Bad News Bears Go to Japan* (1978), as Marvin Lazar - *The Manitou* (1978), as Harry Erskine - *Sextette* (1978), as Alexei Karansky - *The Last Appointment!* (1977), as Danny Wilde - *Casanova & Co.* (1977), as Giacomo Casanova / Giacomino - *The Last Tycoon* (1976), as Rodriguez - *The Switch* (1976), as Danny Wilde - *The Count of Monte-Cristo* (1975), as Fernand Morcerf Mondego - *Lepke* (1975), as Louis 'Lepke' Buchalter - *McCoy* (1975), series, as McCoy - *Sporting Chance* (1975), as Danny Wilde (archive footage) - *London Conspiracy* (1974), as Danny Wilde (archive footage) - *Mission: Monte Carlo* (1974), as Danny Wilde (archive footage) - *The Third Girl from the Left* (1973), as Joey Jordan - *The Persuaders!* (1973), as Danny Wilde - *The Persuaders!* (1971), series, as Danny Wilde - *Norman Jewison, Film Maker* (1971), Thanks - *Suppose They Gave a War and Nobody Came?* (1970), as Shannon Gambroni - *You Can't Win 'Em All* (1970), as Adam Dyer - *Bracken's World* (1969), series, Actor - *Monte Carlo or Bust!* (1969), as Chester Schofield - *The Boston Strangler* (1968), as Albert DeSalvo - *Rosemary's Baby* (1968), as Donald Baumgart (voice) (uncredited) — Fi1m 92, [page](https://film.one/film/rosemarys-baby.md) - *On My Way to the Crusades, I Met a Girl Who...* (1967), as Guerrando da Montone - *Don't Make Waves* (1967), as Carlo Cofield · Executive Producer - *Arrivederci, Baby!* (1966), as Nick Johnson - *The Legend of Marilyn Monroe* (1966), Actor - *Not With My Wife, You Don't!* (1966), as Tom Ferris · Executive Producer - *Chamber of Horrors* (1966), as Mr. Julian (uncredited) - *Boeing, Boeing* (1965), as Bernard Lawrence - *The Great Race* (1965), as The Great Leslie - *Sex and the Single Girl* (1964), as Bob Weston · Executive Producer - *Goodbye Charlie* (1964), as George Wellington Tracy - *Wild and Wonderful* (1964), as Terry Williams - *Paris When It Sizzles* (1964), as Actor Portraying Maurice or Philippe (uncredited) - *Captain Newman, M.D.* (1963), as Cpl. Jackson "Jake" Leibowitz · Executive Producer - *The List of Adrian Messenger* (1963), as Organ Grinder - *40 Pounds of Trouble* (1962), as Steve McCluskey - *Taras Bulba* (1962), as Andrei Bulba - *The Outsider* (1961), as Ira Hamilton Hayes - *The Great Impostor* (1960), as Ferdinand Waldo Demara Jr. / Martin Donner / Dr. Gilbert / Ben. W. Stone / Dr. Joseph Mornay / Robert Boyd Hammnd - *Pepe* (1960), as Tony Curtis - *Spartacus* (1960), as Antoninus - *The Flintstones* (1960), series, as Stony Curtis (voice) - *The Rat Race* (1960), as Pete Hammond Jr. - *Who Was That Lady?* (1960), as David Wilson - *Operation Petticoat* (1959), as Lieutenant Nicholas Holden - *Startime* (1959), series, as The Juggler · Executive Producer - *Some Like It Hot* (1959), as Joe (Josephine) — Fi1m 92, [page](https://film.one/film/some-like-it-hot.md) - *The Perfect Furlough* (1958), as Paul Hodges - *The Defiant Ones* (1958), as John 'Joker' Jackson — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/the-defiant-ones.md) - *Kings Go Forth* (1958), as Caporal Britt Harris - *The Vikings* (1958), as Eric · Executive Producer - *Sweet Smell of Success* (1957), as Sidney Falco · Executive Producer — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/film/sweet-smell-of-success.md) - *The Midnight Story* (1957), as Joe Martini - *Mister Cory* (1957), as Cory - *The Rawhide Years* (1956), as Ben Matthews - *Trapeze* (1956), as Tino Orsini - *Nightmare* (1956), as Tony - *The Square Jungle* (1955), as Eddie Quaid / Packy Glennon - *The Purple Mask* (1955), as Rene de Traviere / The Purple Mask - *Six Bridges to Cross* (1955), as Jerry Florea - *So This Is Paris* (1954), as Joe Maxwell - *The Black Shield of Falworth* (1954), as Myles Falworth - *Johnny Dark* (1954), as Johnny Dark - *Miss Glucksman Visits Hollywood* (1954), Actor - *Beachhead* (1954), as Burke - *Forbidden* (1953), as Eddie Darrow - *The All American* (1953), as Nick Bonelli - *Houdini* (1953), as Harry Houdini - *General Electric Theater* (1953), series, as Mario Galindo, David - *Son of Ali Baba* (1952), as Kashma Baba - *Flesh and Fury* (1952), as Paul Callan - *No Room for the Groom* (1952), as Alvah Morrell - *Meet Danny Wilson* (1952), as Nightclub Patron - *An Eye for an Eye* (1952), Actor - *Come Back Little Shiksa* (1952), Actor - *Schlitz Playhouse of Stars* (1951), series, as Charlie - *The Re-Inforcer* (1951), as Tony Boffo - *The Prince Who Was a Thief* (1951), as Julna - *A Spot In The Shade* (1951), Actor - *Watch On The Lime* (1951), Actor - *Fairfax Avenue* (1951), Actor - *Nightmare* (1951), Actor - *Kansas Raiders* (1950), as Kit Dalton - *Winchester '73* (1950), as Doan — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/film/winchester-73.md) - *Sierra* (1950), as Brent Coulter - *I Was a Shoplifter* (1950), as Pepe - *Francis* (1950), as Captain Jones - *Woman in Hiding* (1950), as Dave Shaw (voice) (uncredited) - *The Lady Gambles* (1949), as Bellboy (as Anthony Curtis) - *Johnny Stool Pigeon* (1949), as Joey Hyatt - *City Across the River* (1949), as Mitch (as Anthony Curtis) - *Criss Cross* (1949), as Gigolo (uncredited) - *How to Smuggle a Hernia Across the Border* (1949), Actor ## Gallery - ![Tony Curtis](https://film.one/media/person/59231/gallery-025924cdd21d.jpg) Tony Curtis — United Pictures Corporation, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b9/Tony_Curtis_1958.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![1963 Leslie Special Custom movie car used in the movie "The Great Race." Tupelo Automobile Museum Tupelo, Mississippi (2014)](https://film.one/media/person/59231/gallery-c4718394f088.jpg) 1963 Leslie Special Custom movie car used in the movie "The Great Race." Tupelo Automobile Museum Tupelo, Mississippi (2014) — CapCase, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b8/1963_Leslie_Special_-_15821863368.jpg/1280px-1963_Leslie_Special_-_15821863368.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![1963 Leslie Special Custom movie car used in the movie "The Great Race." Tupelo Automobile Museum Tupelo, Mississippi (2014)](https://film.one/media/person/59231/gallery-a13a95c1318c.jpg) 1963 Leslie Special Custom movie car used in the movie "The Great Race." Tupelo Automobile Museum Tupelo, Mississippi (2014) — CapCase, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/61/1963_Leslie_Special_-_15821867588.jpg/1280px-1963_Leslie_Special_-_15821867588.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Capri Theater (1966)](https://film.one/media/person/59231/gallery-17fc3fc6f407.jpg) Capri Theater (1966) — Self Scanned, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/30/1966_-_Capri_Theater_-_9_Feb_MC_-_Allentown_PA.jpg/1280px-1966_-_Capri_Theater_-_9_Feb_MC_-_Allentown_PA.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Tony Curtis](https://film.one/media/person/59231/gallery-4cd546f93de1.jpg) Tony Curtis — Image via TMDB - ![Tony Curtis](https://film.one/media/person/59231/gallery-a11f4503f6c4.jpg) Tony Curtis — Image via TMDB - ![Tony Curtis](https://film.one/media/person/59231/gallery-f7cee1f83fbe.jpg) Tony Curtis — Image via TMDB - ![641 N Camino Real. The former home of Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh in Palm Springs, CA (2025)](https://film.one/media/person/59231/gallery-f200197a2760.png) 641 N Camino Real. The former home of Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh in Palm Springs, CA (2025) — BadNewsBear, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/41/641_N_Camino_Real.png/1280px-641_N_Camino_Real.png?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Belair Drive-In theater advertisement for the American adventure drama film The Defiant Ones (1958). From the 12 December 1958 San Bernardino Sun.](https://film.one/media/person/59231/gallery-37e09a65ff84.jpg) Belair Drive-In theater advertisement for the American adventure drama film The Defiant Ones (1958). From the 12 December 1958 San Bernardino Sun. — United Artists, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/43/Belair_Drive-in_Ad_-_12_December_1958%2C_Fontana%2C_CA.jpg/1280px-Belair_Drive-in_Ad_-_12_December_1958%2C_Fontana%2C_CA.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Tony Curtis](https://film.one/media/person/59231/gallery-3a91f318fcb4.jpg) Tony Curtis — Image via TMDB - ![Tony Curtis](https://film.one/media/person/59231/gallery-1bc2c96ad4fb.jpg) Tony Curtis — Image via TMDB - ![Tony Curtis](https://film.one/media/person/59231/gallery-8eb43685d0f4.jpg) Tony Curtis — Image via TMDB ## Awards ### Academy Awards — 0 won, 1 nominated - 1959: Best Actor (nominated), for *The Defiant Ones* ### BAFTA Film Awards — 0 won, 2 nominated - 1959: Best Actor in a Leading Role (nominated), for *The Defiant Ones* - 1958: Best Actor in a Leading Role (nominated), for *Sweet Smell of Success* ### Other awards — 5 won - Sitges Grand Honorary Award 2000: Sitges Grand Honorary Award (won) - Bambi Award 1973: Bambi Award (won), for *The Persuaders!* - Henrietta Award 1961: Henrietta Award (won) - Bambi Award 1958: Bambi Award (won), for *Sweet Smell of Success* - Henrietta Award 1958: Henrietta Award (won) *From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.* --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/tony-curtis