He began life as a Jewish boy named Bernie Schwartz, a tough kid from the Bronx born on June 3, 1925, and ended up with the unlikely name of Anthony Curtis, appearing on film opposite the likes of Cary Grant, Marilyn Monroe, Jack Lemmon, Burt Lancaster, and Henry Fonda... and, incidentally, outliving them all.
After several supporting appearances for Universal in 1949 and 1950, Tony became an obvious fan favorite and was treated to a publicity build-up and given meatier roles as time went on. He married Janet Leigh in 1951, and their two daughters, Jamie Lee and Kelly, both became actresses.
Tony's best work on film was done mostly in the late 50s and early 60s. Trapeze (1956) was his breakthrough role, and that was followed in quick succession by Sweet Smell of Success (1957), The Defiant Ones (1958 - his only Oscar nomination), Some Like It Hot (1959), Operation Petticoat (1959), Spartacus (1960), The Great Impostor (1960), and The Outsider (1961). Many felt he should have gotten an Oscar nod for The Boston Strangler (1968), his attempt to offset some perceived typecasting in the 60s.
After that, however, his boxoffice clout was reduced, and that next great role never really materialized. He tried his hand at TV, and during the past 20 years has achieved success as an artist, with paintings shown by a number of recognized galleries. He wrote a novel and an autobiography in 1993.
Tony was divorced from Janet Leigh in 1962, and married German-born actress Christine Kaufmann, his co-star in Wild and Wonderful (1964), in 1963. Several other marriages followed. Today, Tony is married to a woman (Jill Vandenberg) young enough (45 years his junior) to be his granddaughter, and was once quoted as saying that he'd never be caught dead with a woman "old enough to be his wife"!
At the age of 80 (as this is written), Tony Curtis definitely qualifies as a living legend, currently lives in Los Angeles, and has recently made some film appearances. We all want to wish him a happy birthday, and say thanks for some great (and underrated) performances over the years.
