R.I.P. Tony Curtis

[jeffan]

This is sad news - not only was he a Hollywood legend but also an institution.
---
R.I.P. Tony Curtis

UPDATE: The legendary film and television star passed away from cardiac arrest Wednesday evening in his Las Vegas area home, according to the coronor's statement. He was 85. Many will forever remember Tony Curtis for his comedic work in 1959's Some Like It Hot with Jack Lemmon and marilyn Monroe, or his dramatic work in 1958's The Defiant Ones, which earned him a Best Actor Oscar nomination opposite Sidney Poitier. But I will always admire him best for his nuanced performance as press agent Sidney Falco in 1957's Sweet Smell Of Success opposite Burt Lancaster. But he also shocked Hollywood and moviegoers alike with his memorably menacing performance in the title role of 1968's The Boston Strangler. Curtis was that rare actor who could play with or against type, who could swing from light comedy to serious drama, and yet who remained a greatly undervalued thesp for most of his long career.




www.deadline.com/hollywood/

[Patcat]

I'm sad to learn of his passing. When he was good, he was very good. Perhaps I shouldn't mention it, but his casting in THE BLACK SHIELD OF FALNSWORTH was a classic case of Hollywood miscasting, leading to an unintentionally very funny movie. You mention his best films, and that's a very impressive list of performances.

Patcat

[outerbankschick]

This is going to sound ridiculous...but the movie I most remember Tony Curtis in was Houdini. I watched it years ago, and though I knew that Houdini died during a stunt, when it happened, it still made me cry.

[Patcat]

That's one of his first good performances. An enjoyable film, if not accurate.

[maherjunkie]

I too enjoyed that movie OBC. And HOT in his day!

[outerbankschick]

I agree, MJ! He was a looker in his time.

[Techguy]

Mr. Curtis was a multifaceted and IMO underrated actor who could work in many genres. To this day my most memorable movie memory of him is his performance in one of my all time favorite movies Some Like It Hot with legendary comic Jack Lemmon and the incomparable Marilyn Monroe. Thanks for the laughs, Mr. Curtis, and may you rest in peace.

[maherjunkie]

You, like me, probably remember his appearance on the Flintstones as "Stony Curtis". ;D

www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSUIe6clDNE