Tony Curtis, very rare hand signed magazine page, investment potential! Tony Curtis (born Bernard Schwartz; June 3, 1925 – September 29, 2010) was an American film actor whose career spanned six decades, but had his greatest popularity during the 1950s and early 1960s. He acted in more than 100 films in roles covering a wide range of genres, from light comedy to serious drama. In his later years, Curtis made numerous television appearances.

He won his first serious recognition as a skilled dramatic actor in Sweet Smell of Success(1957) with co-star Burt Lancaster. The following year he was nominated for an Oscar for Best Actor in another drama, The Defiant Ones (1958). Curtis then gave what many believe was his best acting, three interrelated roles in the comedy Some Like It Hot (1959).  It co-starred Jack Lemmon and Marilyn Monroe, and was directed by Billy Wilder. That was followed by Blake Edwards’ comedy Operation Petticoat (1959) with Cary Grant. They were both “frantic comedies,” and displayed “his impeccable comic timing.” He often collaborated with Edwards on later films. In 1960, he co-starred in Spartacus, which became another major hit for him. His most significant serious part came in 1968 when he starred in the true-life drama The Boston Strangler, which some consider his “last major film role.” The part reinforced his reputation as a serious actor with his “chilling portrayal” of serial killer Albert DeSalvo. He gained 30 pounds and had his face “rebuilt” with a false nose to look like the real DeSalvo.

Curtis was the father of actresses Jamie Lee Curtis and Kelly Curtis by his first wife, actress Janet Leigh.