[youtube]k812fxnpLAM[/youtube] Tony Curtis in the classic “Some Like it Hot”Tony Curtis, the star of Some Like it Hot and Spartacus, died on Wednesday of cardiac arrest in his Nevada home. He was 85.
Curtis, who throughout his long career appeared in over 140 major motion pictures, was hospitalized earlier this year in July as a result of suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, according to Entertainment Weekly.
The eldest of three sons, Curtis was born in Bronx, New York during the Great Depression. After completing service in the Navy, he attended acting school and was soon offered a seven-year contract with Universal Pictures.
In arguably his most outstanding performance, Curtis starred opposite Marylin Monroe and Jack Lemon in “Some Like It Hot” (1959). Throughout his career, Curtis went on to star in many big pictures such as Houdini (1953), Spartacus (1960), and The Defiant Ones (1959), where he received an Academy Award nomination opposite Sidney Poitier.
In the latter portion of his life, the actor focused more on his career as a painter and artist.
According to Tony Curtis’ official biography, his paintings have been featured in galleries in Las Vegas, London, Paris, and in New York, with pieces valued as high as $50,000.
Also notably, Curtis was the voice of ‘Stony Curtis’ on The Flintstones and appeared on The Beatles’ “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” album cover.
Curtis was also a big advocate for his non-profit horse rescue center, Shiloh Horse Rescue and Sanctuary, along with his current wife Jill VandenBerg.
Curtis, who throughout his long career appeared in over 140 major motion pictures, was hospitalized earlier this year in July as a result of suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, according to Entertainment Weekly.
The eldest of three sons, Curtis was born in Bronx, New York during the Great Depression. After completing service in the Navy, he attended acting school and was soon offered a seven-year contract with Universal Pictures.
In arguably his most outstanding performance, Curtis starred opposite Marylin Monroe and Jack Lemon in “Some Like It Hot” (1959). Throughout his career, Curtis went on to star in many big pictures such as Houdini (1953), Spartacus (1960), and The Defiant Ones (1959), where he received an Academy Award nomination opposite Sidney Poitier.
In the latter portion of his life, the actor focused more on his career as a painter and artist.
According to Tony Curtis’ official biography, his paintings have been featured in galleries in Las Vegas, London, Paris, and in New York, with pieces valued as high as $50,000.
Also notably, Curtis was the voice of ‘Stony Curtis’ on The Flintstones and appeared on The Beatles’ “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” album cover.
Curtis was also a big advocate for his non-profit horse rescue center, Shiloh Horse Rescue and Sanctuary, along with his current wife Jill VandenBerg.
