20 replies to this topic

[stromberg]

http://news-briefs.e...ny-curtis-dies/

You've been the first movie star I've ever been a fan of.
Farewell, Danny Wilde, may you rest in peace.

Condolences to family and friend.

[jaguar007]

Roger Moore's Persuaders partner Tony Curtis has died. RIP

Tony Curtis, Hollywood Legend, Dies at 85
(CBS) Legendary film actor Tony Curtis has died at the age of 85, CBS News learned early Thursday morning.

Clark County coroner Mike Murphy said the actor died at 9:25 p.m. MDT Wednesday at his Las Vegas area home of a cardiac arrest.

CBS News correspondent Manuel Gallegus reports that Curtis was born Bernard Schwartz, to poor Jewish immigrants in the Bronx. His father was a tailor from Hungary, his mother from Czechoslovakia.

He joined the Navy when he was 17 years old. When he got out, the GI Bill paid for acting school, an agent saw him and Curtis was on his way to Hollywood.

He moved quickly from bit parts to leads roles swashbucklers like Ali Baba.

"I had all that - dark hair and blue eyes, a nice figure, jumping around, kissing girls, a lot of energy, hip-hop jumping around," Curtis boasted in an interview once. "I mean, how could you not go for me? I even went for me!"

Ultimately, Curtis appeared in more than 100 films, playing roles as diverse as escape artist Harry Houdini, a noble slave in Sparticus, and a hustling Naval officer in Operation Petticoat.

In 1958, Curtis teamed up with Sidney Portier in The Defiant Ones, in which they played a pair of escaped convicts. They both received Best Actor Academy Award nominations.

But nothing was a bigger hit for Curtis than the classic comedy, Some Like it Hot, the following year.

Curtis and Jack Lemmon played two musicians running from the mafia. They joined up with an all girl orchestra featuring Marilyn Monroe.

He was married six times, first to actress Janet Leigh, mother of Jamie Lee Curtis, the only one of his six children to enter show business.

Curtis also loved to paint, and he credited his art with helping him through a period of addiction to alcohol and cocaine in the 1970s.

But as much as he loved standing in front of an easel, nothing gave Tony Curtis more pleasure than standing in front of an audience.


edit: I see someone posted this the same time I did. Can a mod merge?

[dutch_pepper]

This is a huge shoch for me. He is one of my favorite actors.

He was an incredible actor and comedian. He will be missed

RIP, Tony....

[marktmurphy]

I'm quite sad to hear this; he was quite the character.

[Simon]

Hmm grief.

Wonder how Rog feels about this...

In fact, even though we have lost many Bond luminaries, I think it amazing and wonderful that we still have all the main Bond girls, and Bonds. Small mercies.

[Klaus_Hergesheimer]

This was pretty sad news to see. In fact I've just started watching The Persuaders for the first time recently and love how Tony and Rog play off each other.

From also just finishing "My Word is My Bond" I know Roger thought quite highly of Tony.

[jaguar007]

Tony Curtis lived in the same housing development that my parents do in Las Vegas. If I recall correctly, I think they met him once.

[Nicolas Suszczyk]

RIP to a great persuader! Will be missed
RIP Danny Wilde!

[Lady Templar]

Just got Roger Moore's reaction to this sad news :

‎"Hearing the news about Tony deeply saddened me today. He was a great friend and a great co-star, and I will forever remember the laughs and fun we shared on The Persuaders and the friendship which endured ever after. His legacy is huge as was his star. I will miss my friend.My thoughts are with Jill and his children at this sad, sad time and I send them much love."

Sir Roger Moore

[zencat]

He was the greatest Houdini!

Was lucky enough to attend a weekend-long event held in his honor at The Magic Castle last year.
http://www.houdini-l...ony_Curtis.html

RIP Mr. Curtis.

[Righty007]

I loved him as Danny Wilde on The Persuaders.

RIP Bernard Schwartz.

[Bryce (003)]

RIP Good sir.

I had the pleasure of meeting him once.

[elizabeth]

RIP Tony.

[Guy Haines]

I've watched the BBC news reports about Tony Curtis, and even though this is very sad news, when they showed the scenes from "Some Like It Hot" I couldn't help but chuckle - it is a very funny film, and Tony Curtis' send up of Cary Grant is hilarious.

Sir Roger Moore's tribute was wholly appropriate.

RIP.

[DamnCoffee]

Very very sad news.

RIP, Tony.

[Brian Flagg]

I'll always remember Tony Curtis as oily press agent Sidney Falco in 1957's Sweet Smell of Success. It wouldn't be until 1998 that I discovered Curtis and Roger Moore in The Persuaders, which has been my all-time favorite show since that time. For a fine example of Curtis' comic ability, the persuaders episodes Anyone Can Play and Chain of Events (directed by Peter Hunt) will amuse and entertain; Rog is great in these too, of course.

R.I.P.

[J J]

RIP you American Prince. Thanks for everything.

[Conlazmoodalbrocra]

Oh my God, I'm completely gobsmacked by this! Terrible news. My thoughts are with his family and friends.

[Col. Sun]

I'll always remember Tony Curtis as oily press agent Sidney Falco in 1957's Sweet Smell of Success. It wouldn't be until 1998 that I discovered Curtis and Roger Moore in The Persuaders, which has been my all-time favorite show since that time. For a fine example of Curtis' comic ability, the persuaders episodes Anyone Can Play and Chain of Events (directed by Peter Hunt) will amuse and entertain; Rog is great in these too, of course.

R.I.P.

I also love his performance in Sweet Smell of Success - a great film. Curtis also gave a truly chilling performance in The Boston Strangler. He was a far more complex and talented actor than many people realized.

A very sad loss.

Out of respect and to recall the joy of his talents, I'm going to re-watch Some Like it Hot and Sweet Smell - plus shoot along to HMV and buy The Persuaders box-set.

[mccartney007]

He was the greatest Houdini!

Was lucky enough to attend a weekend-long event held in his honor at The Magic Castle last year.
http://www.houdini-l...ony_Curtis.html

RIP Mr. Curtis.

Wow. I remember you mentioning the event before it took place, but I had never read your account of the event. I am supremely jealous and upset that I never got to meet the man himself.

[Simon]

Interesing account zen.

Didn't know you were a member of the AMA...