In 1994 a mural featuring his likeness, painted by the artist George Sportelli, was unveiled on the Sunset Boulevard overpass of the Hollywood Freeway Highway 101 in California. The mural was relocated to Hollywood Blvd and Bronson Ave in Sept 2011.
In 2004, he was inducted into the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Hall of Fame. A street is named after him in the Sun City Anthem development in Henderson, Nevada.
In 2008, he was featured in the documentary The Jill and Tony Curtis Story about his efforts with his wife to
rescue horses from slaughterhouses. There is a video on you-tube if you would like to check it out.. Warning* I could not finish watching it, was just to upsetting for me....
In October 2008, Curtis's autobiography American Prince: A Memoir, was published. In it, he describes his encounters with other Hollywood legends of the time including Frank Sinatra and James Dean, as well as his hard-knock childhood and path to success.
It was followed by the publication of his next book, The Making of Some Like it Hot: My Memories of Marilyn Monroe and the Classic American Movie (2009). Curtis shared his memories of the making of the movie, in particular about Marilyn Monroe, whose antics and attitude on the set made everyone miserable.
Tony Curtis turned out to be so much more interesting than implied by his early Hollywood image as strictly a pretty boy. I've read a few quotes from his book on the making of "Some Like it Hot" and a lot from other sources about the making of "The Misfits" - so am not at all surprised, considering that both her life and the studio system were in free-fall at the same time, Marilyn was fired on "Something's Got to Give." Though I wish she'd been capable of completing it...
ReplyDeleteI didn't know Tony and his wife were active in rescuing horses from slaughterhouses. Which brings to mind a quote from the late Linda McCartney: "If slaughterhouses had glass walls, the whole world would be vegetarian."
Curtis' career became something of a joke towards the end of his life, but he'll always have his dramatic performances in Sweet Smell of Success and Spartacus for people to remember him by (and Some Like It Hot for comedy, of course).
ReplyDeleteThe Lady Eve, Before I really got into classic movies, I always thought Tony Curtis, was a great actor(still do). Later.. after I started learning more about him, I very surprised that he had such a hard time of it in Hollywood.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the late, Linda McCartney.
Chip Lary, I know... poor guy.
I think he deserved much better.