Tony Curtis Biography

Fast Facts

• Was awarded the U․S․ Navy Memorial Foundation's Lone Sailor Award in 1994
• Was inducted into the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Hall of Fame in 2004
• Started acting at the age of 16 when he starred in a high school play
• Quote: "Comedy is the most honest way for an actor to earn his living․ People would rather laugh than cry․ The quickest way to change drama into comedy is simply to speed up the film․"
• Quote: "Hollywood․․․the most sensational merry-go-around ever built․"
• Known for his distinctive Bronx accent and curly forelock
• Frequently portrays characters in frantic comedy films
• Is on the cover of The Beatles' album "Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band․"
• While serving in the military, he witnessed the Japanese surrender on the USS Missouri during World War I
• Helped actors Michael Caine and Roger Moore quit smoking