* Tony's father was a Hungarian immigrant, who had been an amateur actor in Budapest.
* In his early years Tony was involved with street gangs but eventually joined the Navy during World War 2.
* In the late 1940's he studied acting at New York's Dramatic Workshop.
* Tony was spotted by a "Universal" talent scout while playing the lead in a production of "Golden Boy". He was signed to a 7 year contract & in 1949 made his first movie appearance in the film "Criss Cross".
* After a number of bit parts in various movies it wasn't until 1951 that he got his first lead role in the action adventure "The Prince Who Was a Thief" opposite Piper Laurie. The film was such a huge success that Tony was given another starring role the following year in the costume drama "Son of Ali Baba" (1952).
* In 1953 Tony starred with his wife Janet Leigh in the biographical drama "Houdini".
* In 1954 he returned to the matinee action adventure genre that made him famous with roles in "The Black Shield of Falworth" & "The Purple Mask".
* Film success continued for Tony when he starred opposite Burt Lancaster in the entertaining circus love story "Trapeze" (1956) & the powerful drama "Sweet Smell of Success" (1957). The critics applauded his work in both roles.
* By the late 50's Tony had become a box office superstar. He & his wife Janet had become one of Hollywood's most popular couples. Later their daughter Jamie Lee Curtis would also become a popular Hollywood actress.
* In 1958 Tony's career reached a high point with an Academy Award nomination for his performance as an escaped convict chained to Sidney Poitier in "The Defiant Ones". Also in the same year he starred opposite Kirk Douglas in the breathtaking action adventure "The Vikings".
* Tony's comedic talent was highlighted in the blockbuster comedy "Some Like It Hot" (1959), which also starred Jack Lemmon & Marilyn Monroe. Also in 1959 he was able to star opposite his idol Cary Grant in the comedy "Operation Petticoat".
* During the early 60's he starred in two big-budget epics Spartacus (1960) with Kirk Douglas & Taras Bulba (1962) with Yul Brynner.
* In the mid to late 60's he concentrated more on lighthearted entertainment with comedic roles in films such as "Forty Pounds of Trouble" (1963), "Sex & the Single Girl" (1964), "The Great Race" (1965), "Boeing Boeing" (1965) with Jerry Lewis & "Don't Make Waves" (1967) with Claudia Cardinale.
* In 1968 he decided to push aside his likeable pretty-boy personna to play the complex mass murderer Albert De Salvo in The Boston Strangler (1968). This was a challenging role, which won Tony a lot of critical praise.
* In the 1970's Tony produced some movies and appeared in a number of TV productions including the hit Television series "The Persuaders" starring opposite Roger Moore.
* In the 1980's Tony appeared in a wide varitey of roles from serious dramatic roles to lightweight comedic roles.
* In 1993 Tony published the book "Tony Curtis: The Autobiograhy".
* In early 1994 Tony had heart bypass surgery. Later in the same year one of his sons died of seizures.
* In 1998 Tony married Jill Vandenberg. She is 45 years younger than him.
* In recent years Tony has achieved recognition as an acomplished artist. Some of his paintings have been exhibited in well known art galleries around the world.
Personal quotes From Tony Curtis
* "They gave me away as a prize once - a Win Tony Curtis For A Weekend competition. The woman who won was disappointed. She'd hoped for second prize - a new stove."
* "Kissing Marilyn was like kissing Hitler".