Tony Curtis

Born Bernard Schwartz on June 3, 1925 in New York City, **Tony Curtis** was a prolific actor whose career spanned six decades. With roles covering a wide range of genres, Curtis acted in over 100 films and in his later years, made numerous television appearances. He achieved his first major recognition as a dramatic actor in **Sweet Smell of Success** (1957) with co-star Burt Lancaster, and was nominated for the **Academy Award for Best Actor** for **The Defiant Ones** (1958) alongside Sidney Poitier. Notably, he starred in comedies like **Some Like It Hot** and was part of the historical drama **Spartacus** in 1960. Though his film career declined after 1960, he later starred in the critically acclaimed true-life drama **The Boston Strangler** in 1968. Moreso, Curtis took on notable roles such as the Ukrainian Cossack Andrei in **Taras Bulba** in 1962 and appeared in the ITC TV series **The Persuaders!**. Curtis was also an avid painter with a passion for surrealism, with his work recognized in galleries and even the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.