Tony Curtis
Birth Name:
Bernard Herschel Schwartz
Birth Place:
Manhattan, New York City, New York, United States
Profession
Actor, Producer, Soundtrack
Fast Facts
- Was awarded the U․S․ Navy Memorial Foundation's Lone Sailor Award in 1994
- Was inducted into the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Hall of Fame in 2004
- Started acting at the age of 16 when he starred in a high school play
- Quote: "Comedy is the most honest way for an actor to earn his living․ People would rather laugh than cry․ The quickest way to change drama into comedy is simply to speed up the film․"
- Quote: "Hollywood․․․the most sensational merry-go-around ever built․"
- Frequently portrays characters in frantic comedy films
- Known for his distinctive Bronx accent and curly forelock
- Helped actors Michael Caine and Roger Moore quit smoking
- Is on the cover of The Beatles' album "Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band․"
- While serving in the military, he witnessed the Japanese surrender on the USS Missouri during World War I
Awards
- 1958BAFTA Film Award - Best Foreign Actor:Nominated
- 1958Bambi - Best Actor - International:Winner
- 1958Golden Laurel - Top Male Dramatic Performance:Nominated
- 1959Oscar - Best Actor in a Leading Role:Nominated
- 1959BAFTA Film Award - Best Foreign Actor:Nominated
- 1959Bambi - Best Actor - International:Nominated
- 1959Golden Globe - Best Actor - Drama:Nominated
- 1960Bambi - Best Actor - International:Nominated
- 1960Golden Laurel - Top Male Comedy Performance:Nominated
- 1962Golden Laurel - Top Male Dramatic Performance:Nominated
- 1963Golden Laurel - Top Male Comedy Performance:Nominated
- 1964Golden Laurel - Top Male Comedy Performance:Nominated
- 1969Golden Globe - Best Actor - Drama:Nominated
- 1973Bambi - TV Series International:Winner
- 1973TP de Oro - Best Foreign Actor (Mejor Actor Extranjero):Nominated
- 1980Primetime Emmy - Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or a Special:Nominated