Michael Curtiz Biography

Fast Facts

• Received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960
• Won the Bronze Wrangler award at the Western Heritage Awards in 1962 for his work on "The Comancheros․"
• After studying at the Royal Academy of Theater and Art, he began acting and directing at the National Hungarian Theater in 1912
• Quote: "(On actor Cary Grant) "Some men squeeze a line to death․ Cary tickles it into life․""
• Dedicated to his craft, he was widely known to work extremely long days
• Frequently collaborated with Errol Flynn and Humphrey Bogart on films
• Would tell stories that he was a member of the fencing team representing Hungary at the Olympic Games in 1912
• Due to his heavy accent, an assistant once brought him a small dog when he asked for a "poodle," but he quickly explained that he meant a "poodle" of water
• Was a member of the Hungarian military during World War I
• Was slated to direct "G․I․ Blues," but dropped out of the project