Tony Curtis And His Work

Tony Curtis, American Film actor born in the year 1925 was a popular actor in the 1950’s and 1960’s. He was a charming and smart actor who worked in a vast range of genres that include light comedy, musical and sober drama. After acting in more than 100 films he made his appearances on television programs.

 Tony Curtis, son of Helen and Emanuel Schwartz, studied for his acting career at The New School in Greenwich Village. His actual name was Bernard Schwartz which he changed after stepping into the Hollywood industry. Also known by the masses as the American Prince, his blue eyes and good looks had attracted huge masses. He was discovered by the director Joyce Selznick for his talent in acting.  Curtis at the age of 23 started his acting career and with the presence of his dramatic acting on the screen, became very notable post 1950. At the beginning of his career he acted in a string of mediocre films, but after 1960’s he gained lots of fame in the industry for his acting skills.

 The names of films in which he has played various roles include Criss Cross, City Across the River, The Lady Gambles, Operation Petticoat, The Great Race, Some Like it Hot and so on.  He was recognized as a serious dramatic actor after his film ‘Sweet Smell of Success’ which he acted along with his co-star Burt Lancaster. According to the famous critic David Thomson, Tony Curtis’ acting had progressed massively after his movie Houdini with his partner Janet Leigh. He was nominated for the Oscars in the year 1958 for his movie ‘The Defiant Ones’, a dramatic movie. 

This legendary Hollywood star has also been honored with lifetime achievement award in many places like Italy, UK, France and America for the number of movies he had acted. He often played different characters in the movie that were created by him. Painting has been his second passion and his canvas painting is judged against those to Matisse. One can find his painting displays at the Butler Institute of American Art, the Toronto Museum, Harrod’s Department Store, The National Hungarian Museum and Spago Restaurant.

This Hollywood leading man was the heartthrob of the film industry and has had a fascinating acting career with some of the biggest celebrity stars. He played roles, even in some low profile movies and slowly after his stardom declined in the late 1960’s, he took up acting in television programs. This energetic and active star celebrated his 80th birthday in Las Vegas and had his feature layout in the Vanity Fair Magazine. This party was attended by most of the famous and rich people at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas. 

He has been a successful actor of his era and Tony Curtis symbolizes the legend of the Golden Age of Hollywood. Besides his passion for acting and painting he has also been a successful writer and has written books like Shadows of the Past, American Prince, The Making of Some Like it Hot and his recent book ‘The Autobiography’.  

This Hollywood actor though died recently, three years back, because of a cardiac arrest, but will forever be remembered for his work in Hollywood industry because he was a bizarre artist.